Collyer’s actors hope to help teenagers with domestic abuse film

Domestic Abuse Film. Students at The College of Richard Collyer have made a film to highlight domestic abuse in teenage relationships. Pictured are media students, L-R Louise Lord (17) and Nas Lamnouar (18). Horsham. Picture : Liz Pearce. LP021214DAF06 SUS-140212-184540008

Students from Collyer’s in Horsham took on the project, which raises awareness of the emotional side of relationship abuse, in conjunction with Sussex Police.

The film tells the story of a teenager, played by Louise Lord, who is intimidated by her boyfriend’s change in behaviour, asking if it is normal.

Louise, 17, said: “I loved how by doing this film I can help other teenagers, because you don’t see many films about verbal abuse in teenagers. It was quite difficult to get that message across.

“I like being in something that will be different and will hopefully be shown in schools.”

After a script was thrashed out in a series of pre-production meetings, all the scenes were shot around the college area in one day.

A large team of first and second year students took part in the student-led project, which features a time lapse scene where the world rushes past Louise’s overwhelmed character.

Nas Lamnouar, 18, played the part of the off-screen boyfriend and was one of the film’s directors.

He said: “It is good for exposure - it is going to be used by younger kids at some point. Everyone was so good at what they were doing that it was fun, definitely.

“I did the time shift sequence and it was really interesting to do.”

Harry Minogue, 17, played a friend of Louise’s character. He said: “It shed light on a part of relationship abuse that people don’t associate with it or notice it.

“That is probably the best thing about the film, it raised awareness of that.

“It is about promoting those things that don’t get talked about or spoken firmly about, and helping people who are targeted.”

College principal Sally Bromley added: “I think it is great - it is quite disturbing, the production makes it quite disturbing.

“This is an important message and we need to take note of it, and it is very teachable.”

Chief inspector Howard Hodges, Horsham District Commander, said: “Young people embarking on their first relationship do not necessarily know that some behaviours, such as intimidation and control, are not healthy.”

To view the video on YouTube, click here.