The Butcher's Wife

The Butcher's Wife is a mesmerising story. I felt compelled to watch it. Like a modern day Bhagavad Gita it reflects the complexities of real life where there are choices and not always straight- forward answers. Our scriptures teach us vairagya (detachment), and ahimsa (non-violence), yet in this gray-scaled world we, as human beings, are constantly torn between the paradoxes of right and wrong. We expect them to reside neatly as polar opposites, as black and white, but often they sit within each other's camps. In trying to understand we often judge. In judging we often misunderstand. So our minds become confused, our hearts perplexed, and our actions no longer appear as they are. Perhaps it is that right action is defined by intention; and so to reply to violence with violence can be a valid response. Perhaps it is in this way that the little battles in life are to be won. If this is so, that leaves humanity with bigger questions to answer: can we ever rid ourselves of this cycle of violence? Should we dare to imagine that it is at all possible? If we were to dare, what intentions and actions do we need to arrest its momentum? What forms of compassion and courage have we yet to uncover?

This is the deeply moving and gut-wrenching story of Carole, a woman abused by her ‘butcher' of a husband. She, in self-defence, ends up killing her abuser. Carole's honesty and willingness to be open with her daughter on camera is amazing and praise-worthy. It is encouraging to hear that Carole and her daughter have been getting on with life, but the reality of abuse for such women is deeply saddening and horrific. One feels great sorrow for people like Carole, enduring such beatings, and living in fear and helplessness for so many years. This film brings home how we need to better care for our neighbours and friends, and look out for one another, so that battered women can more quickly get the help and care they need to escape such abusive situations.

This film is a stark reminder that we live in a world that is broken, a world where people suffer, and can suffer so unjustly. It is a reminder that our world isn't right. Such abuse isn't right, it isn't acceptable. Nor is it God's intention for marriage. Carole's story reminds us that our world (along with us all as individuals), have turned our backs on God and refuse to listen to him and what he knows is best for us, as he's made clear in the Bible.

Most of all, her story should move us to long for a heaven where there will be no more pain or abuse, no more tears or death; a heaven that can only be gained through trusting in Jesus Christ. Carole testified, "I only believe in God when it suits me". How many is that true for today? May we all not just seek God's help when we're desperate and totally helpless, but may we turn to him now and find the healing and peace, the forgiveness and meaning that only a relationship with God through Jesus can bring. Can anything else bring such lasting healing, and true comfort?

A compelling and confronting glimpse into the cycle of samsara (birth, death, rebirth) based on ignorance (of the true nature of existence) that leads suffering. Here we see a good example of the suffering caused by anger and aggression, which are forms of suffering themselves - from a Buddhist perspective, it gives the viewer a clear glimpse into existence in a hell realm and the results of karma.

While not an uncommon story, the main character allowed the viewer to glimpse not only her suffering, but her self reflection and forgiveness. Generally, the response is the rising of compassion for both the main character, the deceased husband and the rest of the family.

I didn't really want to keep watching this film because it is confrontational on a number of levels. Family violence was a part of my upbringing and because of the effects of colonisation and badly constructed laws governing Aboriginal people is now a part of our culture. The film was of high quality but not for me.