Community film to highlight hate crime

Victoria Park Community Centre in Denton recently held a special screening to create awareness about hate crimes and offer a helping hand to those affected. The short film, ‘Hate Crime Matters-Full Stop’, is produced by Ensemble Theatre and funded through ‘Hate Crime Matters Awareness Funding through Tameside Council, bringing together an intergenerational women's group to promote hate crime awareness.

Victoria Park Community Centre in Denton was the venue for the première of a new community film entitled, ‘End Hate Crime’.

The creation of the film is to raise awareness about hate crime and offer a helping hand to those affected.

The short film, ‘Hate Crime Matters - Full Stop’, is produced by Ensemble Theatre, bringing together an intergenerational women’s group to promote hate crime awareness and partners and funded through ‘Hate Crime Matters Awareness Funding through Tameside Council.

Ensemble Theatre director Janet Fagan explained:
“We put different workshops on which led up to this film. We want to make people aware that you can get support here at the community centre, find a listening ear and can report hate crime.

“We surveyed people in the park and surrounding areas on their experience of crime. For instance, we’ve got a lady who spoke about her experience of breastfeeding her child in the park when she got abused by young teenagers.

“So, really, anybody can be affected by hate crime, and if you’ve got somewhere where you can come in and feel supported and communicate how
you’ve felt, I think it makes a massive difference for people,” she added.

Ensemble Theatre, a theatre company supporting inclusive art focusing on bringing all of the community together, began just after lockdown.
“It has blossomed into something fantastic. We get referrals from different organisations where young people and adults need extra support who might be unable to access mainstream provision. We work with adults and young people with additional needs and support everybody that wants to come along and get involved,” added Janet.

The film, ‘Hate Crime Matters - Full Stop’, has been edited by Laura Hayward and involves volunteers and community members who have taken part in creating the film, working actively on and off screen.

Some beautiful choreography with hands demonstrating support and bonding is a highlight within the short film, amongst other profound sequences.
Choreography and presentation in the film has all been done with inclusivity and diversity in mind.

“We implemented some artistic choreography into the film and try to make it a bit more visually appealing and we also ensured that it is informative to create awareness.

“We did a lot of research into people’s experiences, but obviously, when editing, everything we did didn’t necessarily make it into the film.
“From our research, we’ve discovered many people think that hate crime is not taken seriously.

“So, this film is just about encouraging people that even if they didn’t want to report it to the police, there is somebody here to talk to you,” Laura said.

“It’s said a problem shared is a problem halved.” Denton North East councillors Allison Gwynne and Denise Ward were both present
at the screening.

“I think when the community supports the community, you can’t go wrong. It is all about support and being here for each other, and it’s a wonderful,
wonderful film. I loved it.

“Ensemble Theatre and Victoria Park Community Centre do a fantastic job bringing the community together. Always a warm welcome, always inclusive - and anything they do, I think, is always well worth supporting. You’ll not be disappointed,” Cllr Allison Gwynne said.

*For more information and to view the film, visit: https://www.facebook.com/Ensemblecommunitytheatre