Film focuses on realities of life for St Ann's teenagers
A COMMUNITY film telling the story of teenagers and young people in St Ann's was premiered in the city this weekend.
The Chase features around 40 young people from Nottingham and aims to raise awareness of the struggles they face.
The film was shot across the city, with scenes in Sneinton Mapperley and St Ann's.
It was shown for the first time at Cineworld, in the Cornerhouse in Nottingham, on Saturday.
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Susie Gray is the project manager for the Nottingham Children, Young People and Families Project, the charity which organised the film.
She said: "The purpose of the film is to show experiences that occur with young people. It is not meant to glorify or make excuses – we wanted to give young people a platform."
The story follows four main characters growing up in St Ann's and tackles issues of gangs, drugs, domestic violence and friendship.
Ms Gray added: "We wanted to give kids the experience of working on a professional film set and build their skills.
"They're really creative."
The charity is now in discussions about where to show the film next.
Curtis Scott, of Cauncon Avenue in St Ann's, plays Luther, one of the main characters.
He said: We want to get across what it is like living in inner-city Nottingham.
"Some people don't understand how kids get dragged into things."
The 19-year-old added: "It's been amazing. I've never been on a proper set and to be a part of that was great."
Ethan Davey, 7, of Gedling village, also appeared in the film.
He said: "It feels good to be involved. I've just been acting a lot and I've enjoyed it. I would like to be famous and be an actor."
Most of the young people involved had no previous acting experience and are residents who auditioned for parts.
Faolan Jones works for Rewired TV, a Nottingham-based not-for-profit organisation formed to make the film.
Mr Jones, who co-directed the film, said: "Hopefully the movie will open up a dialogue.
"It would be nice if policy-makers could see it.
"Everyone involved can be proud – the acting talent is brilliant."
The project was funded through a series of grants, including the National lottery's Awards For All and money from One Nottingham and Lloyds Bank.
Have you seen The Chase? Let us know your views at newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk
Comments
by csross
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 4:30PM
“It really is lovely to see an article on Nottingham youths, portraying them in a positive way for once!”
by Devonb0y
Monday, November 12 2012, 8:16PM
“I was born on plantagenet street in 1952 until they bulldozed the area in 1970`s , i found st Ann`s to be a very friendly place to live. we had no problems and we played on the Victoria park on bath street and on central park on carlton road. i never went without food and my parents never used the pawn shops, the reason my dad worked for a living, i left school on the friday and i started work on the monday. some parts of st Ann`s was rough but that did not mean all the area was the same. i would move from plymouth in devon tomorrow if i could, people make a place what it is and blame others.”
by Chewchewchew
Monday, November 12 2012, 7:25PM
“Wow, I can kind of understand why some kids want to put fireworks through people's letterboxes and shout obscenities at passers by when they've had such hard lives. I'm not trying to belittle peoples' inadequate upbringings and misfortunes but you've either got the strength of character and decency to let it make you or the weakness to let it break you.”
by cookability
Monday, November 12 2012, 4:45PM
“therealmetalmickey should watch the film first. The film, as it says above in the article, deals with "gangs, drugs, domestic violence and friendship". People who complain about 'people not knowing they're born' really miss the point, sadly. Tackle the issues the film deals with and don't complain about the ones it doesn't. See the film and judge it yourself. You may like it, but if not, people will respect your opinion, too.”
by Alixia1
Monday, November 12 2012, 1:59PM
“When is it being officially released into the cinemas”
by therealmetalmicky
Monday, November 12 2012, 11:45AM
“They should have been around St Ann's in the 50's and 60's, no money, no youth clubs, no freedom, no mobiles, etc, but an empty Belly and a Pawn Shop which was in regular use, and Poverty was REAL! they don't know they're Born!”