October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. According to the Presidential Proclamation from September 30, 2016, “Over the past two decades, rates of domestic violence against females have dropped by nearly three-quarters – but there is still much work to do to build on the progress we have made. Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have suffered from domestic violence by an intimate partner. All people deserve to feel safe with loved ones, and my Administration is committed to eliminating this scourge and supporting survivors’ healing – and we must ensure that survivors and their families have access to the resources, care, and support they need to do so.”
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimates that every minute, about 20 people are abused by an intimate partner. Nationally, that amounts to about 10 million people each year. It’s not only women who are abused. Men also experience domestic violence. No one wants to think about this significant issue, but you may have friends and family directly affected by domestic violence. To bring awareness to the complexities of the problem, here are seven movies that deal with DV and abuse.
- “The Color Purple” (1985) – Stephen Spielberg directed this adaptation of the Alice Walker novel about the experiences of black women in the 20th The movie deals with racism, poverty, abuse, pedophilia and domestic violence. It was the fourth top movie in 1985 and was nominated for multiple awards.
- “The Burning Bed” (1984) – Farrah Fawcett starred in this made-for-television movie about a woman who is on trial for killing her husband by setting the bed on fire. It’s based on the true story of Francine Hughes, a battered housewife, written by Faith McNulty.
- “Not Without My Daughter” (1990) – This film, based on the true story of Betty Mahmoody, was not well received by the critics or at the box office, but it is the story of a woman who is attempting to leave her abusive husband. Some believe it misrepresents Iranian culture, but the reality of domestic violence is well portrayed.
- “Sleeping With The Enemy” (1991) – Watch this movie in the daylight, as it is a chilling psychological thriller of how hard it is to escape an abusive husband. Julia Roberts starred in this film, which was panned by the critics as a slasher movie, but the movie has been remade 13 times internationally with some success.
- “Fried Green Tomatoes” (1991) – This comedy-drama deals with the physical abuse of a depression-era housewife. Fannie Flagg wrote the book on which the movie was based. The movie was received positively by the critics, and it isn’t as heavy as some of the others on this list.
- “Once Were Warriors” (1994) – Although it might be difficult to find this New Zealand drama, the movie is well worth watching to get a real look at domestic violence. Give viewers a warning that the scenes are hard to watch.
- “Dolores Claiborne” (1995) – This movie is based on the book with the same name by Stephen King. Although the story is about the title character killing her elderly employer, it is revealed that Dolores experienced abuse at the hand of her husband. Some suspect Dolores might have killed the man, too. The truth must be sorted out. King is masterful storyteller, and the movie received positive reviews.
None of these movies are easy to watch, but have a movie night with friends to provide an opening to address this social issue that affects each of us, whether or not your partner is abusive. Let your loved ones know you are ready to help if they need you. Together, we can change the lives of women and men affected by domestic violence.