Palm Trees and Power Lines

What’s it about?

Lea, a seventeen-year-old teen who lives with her mother spends most days with her best friend until she meets an adult twice her age. The film portrays the complex process of grooming and sexual coercion and illustrates the social and family factors that make young persons vulnerable to such manipulation.

The facts

• Directed by Jamie Dack (Horizon Diner)
• English language
• Runtime: 111 minutes
• Screening in New Zealand as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival 2023

Why did it get this rating?

Sexual Coercion

Contains a scene of sexual coercion.

This could be upsetting and confronting for someone who has experienced or knows someone who have gone through similar experiences.

Sex

Contains vague sex scenes, no nudity is shown. There are blunt references to and discussions about sex.

Imitable Behaviour/ Drug use

Teenagers smoke and alternately pass around a bong.

Offensive language

Casual use of “f*ck” in everyday conversation.

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?

Helplines

• Sexual Harm. Do you want to talk? | Safe to talk
• KINDS OF ASSAULT – TOAH-NNEST
• Stages of manipulation and coercion | Child Safety Practice Manual (csyw.qld.gov.au)
• Why ‘Palm Trees and Power Lines’ Is One of the Darkest and Most Fearless Movies of the Year So Far | Vogue
• Palm Trees and Power Lines on the Whānau Mārama – New Zealand International Film Festival website