Act of Necessity

1991 Australian TV series or program

Act of Necessity

Written by| Pamela Williams
Directed by| Ian Munro
Starring| Angie Milliken
Mark Owen-Taylor
Wendy Strehlow
Music by| Nigel Westlake
Country of origin| Australia
Original language| English
Production
Producer| Pamela Williams
Cinematography| Steve Windon
Running time| 90 minutes
Production companies| Film Australia
Channel 4
Original release
Network| ABC
Release| 8 May 1991 (1991-05-08)

Act of Necessity is an Australian 1991 television film about a couple who believe their daughter's cancer is caused by chemicals.[1] It was the fifth in a series of docu-dramas about social issues made by Film Australia. It had an improvised script and features actors working alongside actual people form government, law and medicine. It culminated in a trial before a real judge and the outcome was not known until the judge made his ruling.[2][3]

The film looks at the potential dangers from chemicals used on cotton crops. The Australian Cotton Foundation and the Aeriel Agricultural Association of Australia both tried to get it banned.[4]

## Cast

[edit]

* Angie Milliken as Louise Coleman
* Mark Owen-Taylor as Ben Coleman
* Wendy Strehlow as Cressa Buchanan
* Tim McKenzie as Brian Buchanan
* Lauren Hewett as Samantha Coleman
* Stephen Grives
* Kris Graves
* Scott McGregor

## Awards

[edit]

* 1991 Australian Film Institute Awards
* Best Juvenile Performer \- Lauren Hewett \- won[5]
* Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role \- Angie Milliken \- nominated[5]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p3
2. ^ Hooks, Barbara (8 May 1991), "Ambitious, emotive work a pinnacle for reality-drama", The Age
3. ^ Wallace, Mark (6 May 1991). "Real-life courtroom drama with actors". The Canberra Times. Vol. 65, no. 20, 477. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. p. 34. Retrieved 7 July 2020 - via National Library of Australia.
4. ^ Powell, Sian (6 May 1991), "Cottoning on to drama", The Sydney Morning Herald
5. ^ a b Diaz, Tina (9 July 1991), "An award for Lauren, the littlest thespian", The Sydney Morning Herald

## External links

[edit]

* Act of Necessity at IMDb

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