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Budding young movie makers were given the chance to work with a BATFA winning writer on a short film inspired by BBC EastEnders' domestic violence story.
Upcoming flick, Unstuck was filmed in Meopham by London-based production company Redeeming Features.
Trailer for Unstuck, a new film exploring domestic violence. Credit: Redeeming Features/GTown Talents
The crew teamed up with Gravesend-based talent scouts GTown Talents, an organisation that works with young people to produce music and videos, to help create a short film aimed at raising awareness of violence against women.
And it was inspired by The EastEnders' domestic abuse storyline which culminated in a tragic end for young mum Chantelle Atkins who suffered years of torment at the hands of controlling lawyer husband Gray.
Unstuck tells the story of a young couple like many others.
From the outside they appear to be normal and are seen happy together eating out and seeing friends and family.
But behind the scenes lays a far darker reality which sees a campaign of psychological abuse turn the victim's life upside down.
Crews received financial backing from Kent Community Foundation and diversity champions, Cohesion Plus to create the film which cost around £7,000 to make.
It was directed by Nathaniel Wiseman and Jimmy Babalola, of GTown Talents, who worked alongside Redeeming Features and BATFA winning screenwriter Anna Maloney.
Anna wrote Channel 4's Falling Apart, a reality-based drama that also charts the violent course of a relationship.
Explaining the rationale behind the flick, Jimmy, 31, said: "This was a story for Kent. So many people are going through it and we wanted to provide a voice for them.
"For years and years we are hearing of the abuse and victims don't want to talk about it because they are afraid so we thought if we can get the biggest organisations to tell their story.
"Not everyone is going to want to speak but it could change the game. We want them to reach out."
He explained how the short movie also drew inspiration from a long-running TV Soap plot line.
"Not everyone is going to want to speak but it could change the game."
"I got inspired by Gray and Chantelle's story," added Jimmy. "But we also wanted to make sure we told a female perspective."
As well as sharing an important message, "Unstuck" also sought to provide learning opportunities for young people.
Filming took place at a rented country property in Meopham and gave 10 students the opportunity to mix with producers and learn new skills.
Each were involved with the development of the script, the production and post-production edits.
With festival season approaching, the film-makers now want to give the flick a wider audience.
They also hope to host a premiere where victims and survivors of domestic abuse can come along to preview the film.
Jimmy added: "So far we are getting really good reviews, people are really liking it."
Over the last two years subsequent lockdowns heightened the risk for victims and saw an increase in domestic violence-related crime reports for police.
Kent-based organisation Oasis supports people who have been affected by domestic abuse.
Services include refuge and safe accommodations, group programmes, counselling, mentoring and training for professionals.
To talk to someone from the organisation call the helpline on 0800 917 9948.
For emergencies, call the police on 999 (if you can’t speak, cough or tap the handset then press 55 on your phone – the police will know it’s an emergency). In a non-emergency situation, you can call Kent police on 101.
For 24-hour support contact the National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 2000247.