An educational film for school children which addresses the impact of domestic abuse on children, and features local young actors, has received film industry awards. Released last year, it has already received several awards in the Depth of Field film festival and is a finalist in this year’s Olympus Film Festival.
The film ‘Keeping Mum’, which also stars Jane McGarry and Mark Cox, better known for their roles as Isa and Tam in Still Game, was developed after NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s (NHSGGC) Health Improvement Team, Glasgow Violence Against Women and Community Safety Glasgow commissioned Baldy Bane Theatre company to produce a play on domestic violence for P5 – P7 children across Glasgow.
The play was so successful that the script was redeveloped to produce a high quality film that could be shown to children across Scotland, funded by NHS endowments.
The film ‘Keeping Mum’ and the original play consist of three children’s experiences of domestic abuse and how it affects their daily lives. The film is now shown to children alongside a teacher pack and workshops which give children the opportunity to explore some of the issues raised in the film, understand other people’s feelings who may be living with domestic abuse, and offers them the chance to talk about domestic abuse with other class mates and their teachers.
The film was produced by Soundsmove Production along with Baldy Bane and is available with sign language, audio descriptor and subtitles. Keeping Mum can be viewed here: www.nhsggc.org.uk/gbvresources and should be used alongside the teacher pack provided.
Maree Todd, Minister for Early Years & Childcare, said at the launch last year: “I want to congratulate the makers of the film for raising the awareness of this very difficult and challenging subject. Attitudes towards domestic abuse are changing but it is still a very serious public health issue that disrupts the lives of many children and young people.
Barbara Adzajlic, Health Improvement Senior, NHSGGC said: “I’m delighted that the film has done so well. The director, cast and crew committed themselves to this project and produced a fantastic resource on limited time and budget. Stella, Natasha and Luke produced wonderful and moving performances that have been commented on by teachers and other professionals who have viewed the film.
“Domestic abuse is a huge public health issue affecting many children and young people across Scotland. Keeping Mum is an important part of our work with Education Services to raise awareness of the issue, to encourage children and young people to seek support and to equip professionals to provide that support.”