VICTIMS FOR VICTIMS: THE THERESA SALDANA STORY

US, 1984, 100 minutes, Colour.
Theresa Saldana, Adrian Zmed, Lelia Goldoni, Lawrence Pressman.
Directed by Karen Arthur.

Victims for Victims, the Theresa Saldana story, is based on actual events. Actress Theresa Saldana was attacked by a Scottish fan, saying that he had been asked by God to attack her. The violent attack took place in daylight, was vicious, causing many wounds. However, she was taken to hospital in time and was able to make a gradual recovery. Theresa Saldana acts as herself in this film. The film focuses on her background, her family relationships, her relationship with her husband and the tensions consequent on the attack. The trauma of the attack, her fear of being alone, are highlighted. Ultimately clashing with a nurse at an institution, she becomes friends with her when it is revealed that the nurse has also been the victim of an attack. With another friend, they start a support group called Victims for Victims.

The film has authenticity with Theresa Saldana re-enacting her own experiences. The direction is by Karen Arthur, bringing a strong feminine sensibility to the film.

1. Impact of the film? The real events? The re-enactment and its effect? For Theresa Saldana herself, for the audience? A warning for American audiences? Encouragement for support groups?

2. The title, the focus on the organisation - and the understanding of victims for victims and the possibility for support?

3. The Californian settings, Los Angeles, homes, the streets, hospitals? Authentic atmosphere?

4. Theresa Saldana: an actress, her ambitions? Her relationship with Freddie, love, tensions? Auditions, training, dancing? The suspicions about phone calls and her address? Her agent, her seeking advice? The tension at the dance class, warning her friends? The viciousness of the attack? People's reaction - staying away, watching? Jim coming to her rescue? The ambulance, the treatment, the bleeding? Freddie and his coming to help? His bewilderment? Self-blame? In hospital, the difficulties in finding the surgeon? The surgery? Her condition, her parents and their support? Freddie and his visits - and her telling him that he needn't come every day? Her pushing him away from her? Her fears, being alone? The therapy? Her being moved to the hostel, its strict rules? Jane and her dominance? The clash between them, the phone call - and the truth about Jane, her past, her experiences? Her being supportive? The meeting with Miriam and the shared experiences? Freddie, the separation? The hopes for continuing her career? Her understanding of victims and the need for support? The meeting, her speech, Freddie's arrival? Her future? The fact that she acted in this re-enactment of her life?

5. Freddie, his work, relationship with Theresa? His not being alert at the time of the attack? Self-blame? Ineffective in his work? The visits to Theresa, the tension? Inability to communicate? His needing time for himself, the separation? His coming to her meeting and the reconciliation?

6. Jane, tough, the rules? The clash about the phone? The frank talking together, Jane and her supporting Theresa? The meeting with Miriam and her poise, the memories of the attack?

7. Jackson, the attack, Scotsman, hearing voices? The court sequences? Testimony - and Theresa having to give testimony, the photographing of her wounds? The vulnerability, self-consciousness of her wounds? Her presence in the courtroom? His being found guilty?

8. Theresa's parents, their background, coming to the airport, their fears? At her bedside, their support? Their taking Freddie's place in supporting her?

9. The background of attacks on public figures in the United States, on violent attacks on show business people? The psychology of the attackers? The effect on the victims?

10. Sexual violence towards women? The need for support groups and mutual understanding? This film as an encouragement?