Piece of My Heart is a 2009 New Zealand television film starring Keisha Castle-Hughes, Annie Whittle, Emily Barclay, and Rena Owen.
It is based on Renee's 1995 novel Does This Make Sense to You?, which focuses on the experiences of unwed teenage mothers in 1960s New Zealand who experienced stigmatisation and the adoption of their babies.
[2][3] In the present, an adult Flora Thornley receives a rejection letter from her lost daughter, whom she was coerced into giving up for adoption while residing at a home for unwed mothers in 1960s New Zealand.
Flora and the other young mothers are mistreated and humiliated by the matron, who force them to work long hours in the home's laundry business.
After the 13 year old girl commits suicide, the matron promises Flora and Kat that they will be able to parent their infant daughter and son if they do not report their friend's death to the Police.
[4] Supporting cast members included John Bach as Mike, Michelle Blundell as Elaine, Daniel Cleary as a South Island truck driver, Sophie Henderson as Margaret, Dan Musgrove as Rupert and Morgana O'Reilly as June Watt.
Fantl said that he could relate to the film due to his experiences as an adopted child whose birth parents had refused to make contact.
[1] Michele Hewitson of The New Zealand Herald gave a positive review of Piece of My Heart, describing it as "at heart, a beautifully produced, moving piece of drama,..." Hewitson also praised the performances of the four main cast members Keisha Castle Hughes, Emily Barclay, Rena Owen and Annie Whittle.