A new documentary, Revealed: KillJoy, premiering on Stan on September 8, offers a rare insight into the impact of family violence in Australia through the eyes of a child.
The film recounts the story of Kathryn Joy, whose father killed their mother when they were an infant, just three months old. Despite the grave crime, Joy’s father served a short prison sentence of only 22 months. By the age of four, Joy was back living with their father in the same house where the murder occurred, with little understanding of what had happened.
The documentary spans four decades, following Joy’s journey from childhood to adulthood as they seek to uncover the hidden story of their mother’s life and death. It is a story of confronting psychological challenges, as Joy forms a connection with their mother’s memory and forges a meaningful life as an activist.
Joy described the film as “a love letter” to their mother and those she left behind. The documentary also highlights the often-overlooked perspective of children affected by domestic homicide, calling for more support, advocacy, and nuanced discussions about family abuse.
Revealed: KillJoy is produced by Lisa Albert and directed by Vincent Lamberti, with associate producers Kathryn Joy and Jess Hill. The executive producers are Ivan O’Mahoney and Adam Farrington-Williams.
The documentary is a production of Fringe Dweller Films for Stan, with funding provided by Screen Australia, VicScreen, The Post Lounge, and the Shark Island Foundation.
