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Updated by shannon-barrett on Feb 23, 2017
Headline for 9 Times Redfern Now Cleverly Showed Us All Violence Is Cowardly
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9 Times Redfern Now Cleverly Showed Us All Violence Is Cowardly

Episode 5 of Season One, Sweet Spot, proves you need to overcome your anger if you don’t want to hurt yourself and those around you.

1

We all know the possible consequences

We all know the possible consequences

Indigo was a champion boxer, so he knows more than most about the damage a punch can do. In this scene, a dark time for Indigo (as indicated by the lighting), Indigo describes the ‘sweet spot’ and how ‘if you catch someone there, and their head spins enough, this nerve there just decides you’ve had enough and takes you out.’ You think we wouldn’t need to be reminded that one punch can kill, but with the recent deaths of Cole Miller and Trevor Duroux it seems like some people do.

2

Now let that sink in. Throw one punch, you could end lives.

Now let that sink in. Throw one punch, you could end lives.

Leah Purcell, director of Sweet Spot, powerfully proves this point through her slow motion shot of Indigo punching Chooky, who died as a result. You might say once a punch is thrown, you’re no longer in control of what happens. But what’s important to note is that Purcell shows us we’re out of control long before this point, and so the resolution to this issue comes long before the point of punching is reached.

3

So recognise the triggers and deal.

So recognise the triggers and deal.

Ever get jealous? Indigo sure did, as this point-of-view shot shows. And I mean, who can blame him right? He’s been to jail and done his time, only to come out and suspect his wife has been cheating on him. And we’d all like the one we love to love us faithfully in return right? And if we thought that wasn’t happening we’d take steps to make sure it did, yeah?

4

But violence isn’t the answer.

But violence isn’t the answer.

When you’re violent, people don’t want to be around you. A close-up of Lisa Flanagan as Allie shows that pretty clearly. Your loved ones will be afraid of you, and no strong, lasting, loving relationship can involve fear.

5

So realise when you aren’t in control.

So realise when you aren’t in control.

Indigo might have been telling himself he was calm, but the vibrations form the jackhammer aren’t incidental. This shot symbolises the fact he is no longer in control of his body. He is literally shaking with rage. And when you can’t control this rage, and end up committing violent acts, there’s no telling what the consequences might be.

6

Before you end up getting physically hurt yourself.

Before you end up getting physically hurt yourself.

A reputation for violence can mean people come looking for you. Then there’s always the possibility people will want revenge too. Don’t let the potential for a cycle of violence and fear begin.

7

And let’s not forget the emotional hurt. Remember those loved ones?

And let’s not forget the emotional hurt. Remember those loved ones?

Check out that fence in the foreground. Indigo’s already put himself behind bars. He’s imprisoned by his anger, his fear, and his jealousy, and the ones he loves can’t get close to him. Now he’ll be imprisoned by walls, and won’t even have the opportunity to interact with his kids.

8

So put away that ego.

So put away that ego.

By the end of Purcell’s episode we’ve come full circle, and Indigo’s learned something (notice how in this close-up of his mouth, which forces us to focus on his words, he’s facing to the left of screen, as though he’s looking back on the events and reflecting, and in the beginning of the episode he was facing right, looking forward and uncertain? It's much lighter too, and times are happier.) He knows there are times when ‘you’re hurt, you’re really hurt’ and ‘your whole world goes sideways’. That there are times ‘every single instinct tells you to lay down, let it go’ but for some reason you can’t. Well, that reason? ‘Ego.’ So remember, sometimes you aren’t going to be the best, the biggest, the strongest. Sometimes you’re going to hurt. But you’ve got to deal with it. Think it through. Take Indigo’s lesson on board, because violence only leads to more hurt, for you and your loved ones. And wouldn’t you rather choose…

9

And accept a life without violence and the opportunity for happiness.

And accept a life without violence and the opportunity for happiness.