There’s a housing crisis in many countries around the world but few can match New Zealand when it comes to the current rate of inflation. Whilst the Kiwis have been widely praised for the handling of the pandemic, during the same period house prices have gone up by well over 20%. Despite cooling measures introduced by the National Bank this seemingly inexorable rise continues. It’s hard enough for the average person to afford to buy their first home, let alone someone with issues. This is the case in The Justice of Bunny King.
Bunny King (Essie Davis) is trying her best. She takes her squeegee to the streets every day in an attempt to raise enough money to afford a home. Currently homeless, she’s bunking in with her sister’s family, making herself as useful as she can, whilst her two children are in care. Everything Bunny tries seems to blow up in her face and following a family altercation she grabs her teenage niece (Thomasin McKenzie) and takes matters into her own hands.
The Justice of Bunny King is an enthralling drama about a woman just trying to bring her family back together. Davis is a vastly underrated actor and once again she is phenomenal here. The heartbeat and lifeblood of Gaysorn Thavat’s film which tackles a number of social issues through the eyes of one determined woman. The ending will divide opinion but The Justice of Bunny King is a powerful and pointed drama.
The Justice of Bunny King screened at Edinburgh International Film Festival.
