Barricade was filmed at Alcester Academy and surrounding area
A SHORT film highlighting the issue of sexual abuse in schools is about to hit the small screen after being accepted by short film channel Omeleto.
Shot manly at Alcester Academy and in the surrounding streets, the film is the work of Alice Johannessen, who hails from Leamington Spa but is now based in London.
She says it is inspired by her own experience of school, but the story grew after she read an article which described sexual harassment as a routine part of students’ lives.
The story begins with Aleena, an ordinary schoolgirl who is sexually assaulted by Will as they travel to school on the bus, and ends with her and her female classmates barricading the classroom door with desks and chairs.
What we see in between is Aleena grappling with what has happened and what she can, or can’t, do about it. Wandering around the school at lunchtime Aleena hears the sound of music and finds a group of girls “dancing for no-one but themselves”.
One of them, Tenisha, persuades her to join in and as she dances she is able to release all the tension. Back in the classroom and Will arrives. In a moment of pure adrenaline Aleena pounces out of her seat and pushes her desk against the classroom door.
Gradually the others join in, adding desks, chairs and books until the barricade reaches almost to the ceiling.
Alice said: “Every woman I know has experienced this. An incident in the playground, workplace, or at a bus stop that was brushed aside as a joke, no big deal, or simply boys being boys. A passing moment quickly labelled unremarkable takes deep roots and causes serious damage.
“Our aim with Barricade was to make a film that immersed audiences in the feelings teenage girls experience on an average school day. The insecurity, rage, euphoria, blood, sweat, and tears. To ask what happens when all these feelings can no longer be contained? Where do they go when an institution repeatedly fails to find a space or outlet for them?
“By ending the story with a moment of intense catharsis I hope audiences will consider why this is such a rarity for survivors/victims.”
The charity Safeline has used Barricade for students across the Midlands as part of their work preventing sexual violence and abuse.
Colin Walker, head of prevention and early intervention services, has described the film as having a significant impact in the changing the culture of sexual abuse in the schools he has worked with.
