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Act of Necessity is an Australian 1991 television film about a couple who believe their daughter's cancer is caused by chemicals. 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.

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.

Cast

• 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

• 1991 Australian Film Institute Awards
  • Best Juvenile Performer - Lauren Hewett - won
  • Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Angie Milliken - nominated

References

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. ^ Diaz, Tina (9 July 1991), "An award for Lauren, the littlest thespian", The Sydney Morning Herald

External links

• Act of Necessity at IMDb

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