My Life, My Lesson (2015)

Overview

My life my lesson is a raw yet tender documentary that follows 16-year-old Felicia over the course of two years as she is attempting to live a normal teenage-life, having been brought up witnessing her step-dad abusing her mum. It's an intimate portrait of a family living with the scars of domestic violence. Felicia's dream of a normal life is made impossible by her self-harming and the sleeping difficulties caused by the violence. After Rolf threatens to kill her mum the family is being sent to a secret location women's shelter. As things are put on edge Felicia's bravery is tested - will she stand up for her family and herself, and testify in court against the only father she has ever known?