Davo Hardy.

Production begins this week on Davo Hardy’s sixth feature film, The Switchblade Sisterhood.

Drawing inspiration from the iconic second-wave feminism manual The S.C.U.M. Manifesto by Valerie Solanas, this latest film is expected to be a fusion of dead-pan comedy, family drama and political satire, destined to attract the same enthusiasts of independent Australian cinema as Don’s Party (1976).

The aforementioned manifesto (a text that, by definition, details the staunch conviction on a subject by its author and outlines their intentions, however aggressive) was originally self-published in 1967 and distributed commercially a year later, after its author fired a pistol at Andy Warhol at close range. The celebrated artist survived the attack, but The S.C.U.M. Manifesto has also lived on in infamy, remaining divisive for almost 60 years with its assertions on gender politics and the radical measures proposed to deal with them.

In short, the whole concept is right there in the title, with the SCUM acronym standing for Society Cutting Up Men. But is this a genuine political statement, a satire, an academic in-joke, a Freudian plageurism or the throthing babble of a mad woman? Each of these viewpoints will be explored between various characters in The Switchblade Sisterhood, which also pays homage to the 1976 grindhouse flick The Jezebels (also known as The Switchblade Sisters) by bringing literal knife fighting into the equation.

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There is also a literal sisterhood at the heart of the plot, as the protagonist Breanna (played by British Flower) grapples with the recent loss of her mother, only to find she has an astranged sister, suddenly showing up on her doorstep. What ensues is a complex story of romance, sacrifice and injustice that finally snaps open, much like the titular switchblade under pressure.

Davo Hardy’s recent feature production Public Eye, the erotic comedy about a man vilified by the circulation of NSFW video material, was a multi-award winner and film festival juggernaut. It was even in contention for the 2022 AACTA awards, after its limited theatrical release.

Joining British Flower as part of the Public Eye alumni, Karli Evans and writer and director Davo Hardy are set to make appearances in The Switchblade Sisterhood, along side Breanna’s astranged sister (Cat Tomsen) and frenemy-cum-love interest (Kieran Hudson), both making their feature film debuts.

Rounding out the ensemble cast are seasoned thespians and actors of the small screen, Seaton Kay-Smith, Rachele Edson and Martin Cohen.

Cinema Australia is enthusiastic about The Switchblade Sisterhood, with the promise of Davo’s usual ecclectic mix of confronting subject matter, dynamic characters and sharp dialogue. Whether you are familiar with his work or due to explore his dedicated streaming website www.davohardyfilms.com, this one is sure to be a standout.

Follow the journey of The Switchblade Sisterhood here.