Rainbow Bird & Monster Man (ATOM Study Guide)

In Rainbow Bird & Monster Man, Tony Lock narrates his experience of childhood abuse and his subsequent killing of the abuser. Tony pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but the court found overwhelming mitigating circumstances and he served no more time in prison than the eighteen months waiting for trial.

Rainbow Bird & Monster Man is both a documentary and a drama, as the viewer sees and hears Tony's story, and watched the stylised re-enactments of the past.

Curriculum Links

Rainbow Bird & Monster Man will have relevance and interest for senior secondary and tertiary students of Health and Personal Development, Psychology, Legal Studies, Social Welfare Studies and Media Studies.

It should be noted that the content of the film, including the focus on child abuse, the language and references to drug use, makes it appropriate for mature secondary and tertiary students only. The film may be disturbing for some students.