A harrowing true story, sparked by a news headline, that challenges viewers on many levels, Rainbow Bird and Monster Man relates the traumatic childhood and tragic adulthood of Tony Lock. After suffering a decade of terrifying and humiliating sexual abuse at the hands of Gordon Kerr, a family friend, Lock killed the man.

An outstanding score by Melbourne composer David Chesworth, dreamlike recreations and new interview segments construct the melancholy saga of Lock's life: the nightmare of a stolen childhood, his teenage descent into drugs and alcohol, redemption in the desert of outback Australia and the ordeal of his trial on manslaughter charges. In a landmark decision, a form of justice was served when Lock's sentence was limited to the 18 months he spent imprisoned awaiting trial.

The psychological catastrophe of being abused from four years of age, having the abuse denied by parents and police, having the investigation thwarted by indifference and incompetence and then finally resorting to vigilante actions mounts to a crashing and cathartic conclusion.

Dennis K Smith (writer-director) and John Lewis (producer) are guests of the Festival

Writer-director Dennis K Smith is an award-winning independent filmmaker who has previously made six television documentaries. He has exhibited a long commitment to social, ethical and cultural issues across films like Angel, Freedom or Madness and In a Small Valley.