The Justice of Bunny King

What's it about?

The Justice of Bunny King is an engaging New Zealand drama film. Bunny King is a mother of two who is battling the system to reunite with her children, who are in state care. With all odds seemingly against her, she sleeps on her sister’s couch and spends her days cleaning windscreens at intersections to save money for housing. After a confrontation with her sister’s partner, Bevan, Bunny is forced to move out and take her teenage niece, Tonyah, under her wing.

What to expect

The film is a gritty ‘triumph over adversity’ tale about two women fighting their way back from poverty. Bunny is a strong female protagonist who desperately fights for the safety and wellbeing of her children and niece, despite being confronted with barriers at every stage of her journey. The film has merit for its topical commentary on social welfare in Aotearoa. The film deals with domestic and sexual abuse but it does this subtly, and these themes are likely to elude younger viewers. Crime is presented as somewhat justified and funny when meted out by the protagonist and gives the film a certain level of moral ambiguity. There are also some restrained depictions of violence which may startle younger viewers, but are unlikely to cause them lasting harm. The same consideration applies to the use of offensive language. Considering these factors, the publication is more suited to mature audiences.