Mark
This documentary only gets 5.3 stars on IMDb, I give it 9 stars. It is probably one of the best and most disturbing documentaries I've ever watched.There is a lot of very good reenacted scenes, not easy to do unless you have superb actors and a great director. Which this movie has an abundance of.It also has a lot of footage of the actual people who were involved in the investigation and trial of this tragic event. Their incite is very important and is well balanced. This was not sensationalized but really digs into what happened. It is hard to watch for sure, but without really getting a sense of what Janet really endured, along with this poor family, it would not serve any of them well.I encourage you to try to not jump to quick judgment on these folks, that is what most of us do when we do not understand cultures different than our own, or people we really no little of.
misscath-02668
Very sad story about a woman who was severely mentally ill and being treated for some sort of Maori curse or possession. Did no one in this family think to call a doctor or psychologist when she kept getting worse? Praying over someone is fine but it's not enough, if they are having hallucinations. What was the sense of forcibly holding her in the shower under cold water? She was in danger from the beginning and this family killed her.
kiwaussie
Found this at a film festival purely by accident. I was familiar with the story having grown up in NZ. It's really well done, but this film made me so angry. My plot summary would be as follows:"Family in the outskirts of Wellington murder one of their own because she is suffering from depression."Whether they thought they were trying to help or not is irrelevant, they murdered someone because of a religious belief. ISIS do the same. It was such a shame that there was nobody with an education in the room that day.That aside, the acting was amazing, particular by Kura Forrester (normally a comedienne - so this was a great change of pace for her!). If you get a chance to see it, do so - it's refreshing to see a film that doesn't depict life in New Zealand as perfect.
visitorq27
This 'documentary' is determined to sensationalize and reinforce the myth of 'makutu' rather than offer any real insight into the tragic death of young women Janet Moses at the hands of her own family, who believed she was possessed by a 'makutu', or Maori curse, and ruthlessly drowned her to death in an exorcism ceremony. The film contains dramatizations of the events that occurred, that are powerful and generally well done. However, where it falls short is in the commentary by those who had nothing to do with the case but happily offer their 'expert' opinions on what was happening to Janet. Every single one these people support the theory that Janet was cursed by makutu. The film doesn't once seek the opinion of any actual medical professional such as a psychologist or neurologist, that could offer an informed view as to Janet's condition, but instead replies on the bias views of spiritual leaders, new-age types and pseudo scholars. Janet clearly suffered from a serious mental breakdown and the fact that nothing is done to explore this does no justice to her or her family. A sad missed opportunity that in it's efforts to be cultural sensitive to Maori at all costs legitimizes bizarre and dangerous believes.
AD
