Ischaemic

A senior detective is forced to face his inner demons when an investigation into the murder of a priest collides with a child trafficking ring.

The Walking Wounded is essentially four intertwined stories and their crossover points.

Story Arc 1: Senior Detective Sergeant Phillip “Phil” Dobson and Senior Detective Sergeant Li Ma “Turbo” Zhang are detectives with the Newcastle Homicide Squad. They are inseparable childhood friends, and an LGBTIQ+ love story for the ages.

Phil’s mother commits suicide due to her inability to cope with her own childhood sexual abuse. Phil is left feeling helpless and decides one suicide is one too many. He buries his feelings and is prone to emotional outbursts and Turbo is always there to help him explode in a controlled manner. His true love for Phil is unspoken as he is terrified of losing Phil’s friendship. Ironically, Phil’s outbursts come partly from burying his love for Turbo. Toxic masculinity rears its ugly head. 

Story Arc 2: Levi (11) and Noah (8) Holbert live in Dunedin New Zealand with their physically abusive mother. When Toby suggests moving to Australia, she inexplicably agrees and they arrive in Newcastle to start a new life. Two days later their mother is killed in a car accident and the boys find themselves in the hands of a sexually abusive priest. They disappear into Newcastle’s underbelly, caught by a child prostitution racket, for Newcastle’s elite. Levi endures blow after blow after blow trying to protect his little brother. Iceman (See Story Arc 3) blocks them at every turn, even killing to keep the upper hand. The crescendo builds in this exhausting fight and ultimately costs Levi his own life. Noah finds himself alone in a foreign country, and part of a world he struggles to understand. The only thing left to hang onto and trust is Davina. (See Story Arc 4)

Story Arc 3: Ian “Iceman” Chase is the man that runs the racket along with his mentor and protector Judge William Jude. He suffered violence and sexual abuse at the hands of his father for ten years, and it has destroyed his humanity. He doesn’t care and the world is frightened of him. When his home life becomes intolerable his solution is to destroy the family home with his parents in it. He is ultimately responsible for more than ten deaths. 

Story Arc 4: Davina Jacoby is a gender fluid Social Worker, also a sexual abuse survivor but uses her pain to drive her to help others. As a child she believed the abuse was actually normal behaviour and her favourite teacher used it to his advantage. The realisation that came in her teens almost destroyed her. With the support of the man that was to become her husband, she made it through. As Davina’s own life burns around her, she finds herself the foster parent of a very frightened, 8-year-old boy. She is a beautiful soul with a demeanour that belies her painful past.  

French Modern Film and Script Festival Review

“It is with immense pleasure that we extend our warmest congratulations to you! Your exceptional work has earned the prestigious title of Award Winner. Your project has not only left an indelible mark on our esteemed jury but has also brought us great delight in celebrating your well-deserved success. We would like to extend our gratitude once again for your exceptional contribution. Your work has left an indelible impression on us, and we are honoured to have had the privilege of showcasing it.