A GROUP of students from Salford have created a film which explores the gritty underbelly of gang-related culture and domestic abuse.
The twenty-minute drama, entitled ‘Fearless’ follows the traumatic ordeal of a young woman called Dani who suffers abuse at the hands her gang-member boyfriend, until an anonymous call to Crimestoppers helps her put her life back on track.
The film, which was written, produced and edited entirely by students at University Technical College (UTC) in Salford, is part of a campaign supported by Salford City Council, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Crimestoppers to raise awareness of gang crime and anonymous crime reporting.
Stressing the importance of the film’s accessibility to a wide audience, producer Liam Lyall said: “We are happy with the message that it has and that we’ve being able to incorporate the shock factor whilst making it suitable for younger viewers.”
The film has been viewed 37,000 times on GMP’s Facebook page and will be shown in local schools as part of a wider scheme called Project Gulf, a multi—agency approach for monitoring and infiltrating gang-related crime.
Inspector Dave Turner from GMP’s Project Gulf said: “The Fearless film is great for engaging young people, and projecting positive messages across to them.
“We are fully aware that there are young people who have information on crimes, whether these crimes have happened already or are planned for the future.
“This film demonstrates exactly how they can report the information to the police, safely and most importantly, anonymously.”
Final year student Liam, along with other members of his year group, were approached last June to adapt a stage play created by students at Harrop Fold School in Manchester, which was produced as part of Crimetoppers’ ‘Stand up for Salford’ campaign.
Take time this weekend to watch Fearless – gritty new drama all the work of teenagers in Salford. Amazing talent. https://t.co/tHpK4Jmv9e pic.twitter.com/1flNesdaPd
— Salford City Council (@SalfordCouncil) March 3, 2017
Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, said: “Over 150 high school pupils spent two months working with a theatre company last year exploring the impact of gangs on their local communities.
“Young people said loud and clear that gangs ruin lives and communities and then created thought-provoking performances to ‘Stand up for Salford.’ It’s about showing young people that they too can stand up against criminals in their city.”
Gary Murray, Crimestoppers Regional Manager added: “The film clearly demonstrates how Crimestoppers, and Fearless.org, our online resource for young people and youth workers, can help young people to seek the advice and assistance required in situations when either they or someone they know are at risk.”
The cast and crew, made up entirely of UTC students bar three professional actors, pulled the entire film together in five days last October.
To give information anonymously call 0800 555 111 or go online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online/
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