Kingdom of Us

This harrowing documentary follows a family of eight, six years after their father committed suicide. From the emotional lows to growing anxiety disorders, the darkest moments of this family's past have been captured here in an incredibly well documented account; beautifully filmed and edited from home video and fresh recordings. It's so intimate that you feel you know them very early on and therefore it's hard not to get emotionally involved as a viewer and want them all to find true happiness again. I spent the majority of the time gobsmacked at the tragic event itself and hoping that everyone would pull through. And I think that's what is so wonderful about this family; they've got each other to not only share the grieving process with but also to support one another and find a brighter future together. Everyone gets their story told from the mother to all the siblings which is so important; I believe just after watching that this documentary marking this point in their lives would have been incredibly therapeutic for them I hope. A very moving statement on the strength of the human spirit in harsh times. You can catch it on Netflix now!

Well worth the watch. Very sad to watch. Brings back painful memories of my mums suicide and yrs later my cousins. I have mental health issues its hard to cope some days. Well done this family and to Pippa its hard honey but it will get easier to cope. To Vicky you are one hell off a mum.

While the topic of this documentary is very serious and sad, this family is inspiring with their love for each other. This is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. Very well done. I commend the family for opening themselves up on camera and sharing their pain with the public. Vikie is a lucky woman to have such wonderful children, and they are lucky to have her as their mother.

This is a family still coming to terms with the effects of tragedy and in the process, learning how to rebuild their shattered unit. There are surprising pieces of wisdom from these teenagers, (particularly the boy and the youngest girl), and great acts of love and courage from all. You'll come to know these people with great affection, like I did.

The documentary picks up some years after the event itself, and is more interested in slowly unraveling the effects of a close death, than hitting us over the head with the details of the suicide, as you might expect in a film, or in lesser hands. This is a filmmaker that respects the subjects she is filming, as there is nothing more painful than the sudden loss of a loved one and that pain is evident here in great volumes. It's sometimes hard to watch.

It's simply heartbreaking and you can't help but wish you could do something for them but of course, we are merely observers, yet never feeling that we are on the outside. We are involved. We care. While it's very personal, it never feels evasive, thanks to Lucy Cohen, the director, who clearly has spent a lot of time with the family and gained their trust. She's often happy to sit back and let her camera observe (she was also the videographer), occasionally prompting them with a question. Subtlety is the key here, and respect.

There's great skill here too in the editing. What a mammoth task to put together several years of filming. You can feel the narrative being crafted, yet its never contrived. Never too obvious. A lovely piece of work from a great talent. I wish the family all the best for the future.

I also know this family locally and they are epic. A constant support to and within the local community. They have brought their experiences out into the public domain in order to help other families understand autism and mental health issues. It takes strength of character to do this and I applaud you and your amazing family, Vikie.