Silent Voices [2005] [DVD]

All profits from the Sale of this DVD will go to support the NCDV (National Centre for Domestic Violence - www.ncdv.org.uk). Based on interviews with over 100 people affected by Domestic Violence in the UK, Silent Voices tells their stories using 7 characters performing integrated monologues. Raj a 10 year old boy tells his tale of how his mother and him get away from the violence of his father and the associated attachments to a black Caribbean family as he moves from home to a refuge. Chelsea a 13 year old girl, who loves her father and mourns the loss of her CD's and friends as her Mother drags her from Refuge to Refuge until her inevitable return home. Jezza a 16 year old trainee hairdresser, remembers her time with her mother and father as they battled through her childhood. Her chilling realisation that her Mother was killed by her Father as she watched leaves her character coming to terms with the horror. Bev a 19 year old prostitute and drug addict explains how she has ended in her current predicament in an attempt to escape the violence her father an RAF officer perpetrated on her mother. Summer, 26, a successful City worker, explains how she fell in love with the man who then went on to destroy her life through bullying and violence and how she discovered how difficult it was to break free of her situation. Michael, 40 a small time lawyer recalls his middle-class upbringing and the secrets of the violence that went on behind closed doors which resulted in his Mothers suicide. Lucy, 38, a successful office worker who has finally found a man she can trust again, re-tells the story of how clever her boyfriend was at isolating her by his kindness and attention before she found herself alone with her child in a house that was filled with anger. Directed by Charles Harris, Written by Barbara Gorna and Produced by Paul Atherton

Empire Magazine *** Three Stars Plot Based on research garnered from 100 eyewitness accounts, seven people from completely different backgrounds recount how their lives have been affected by domestic abuse. All profits from the sale of the DVD will go to the NCDV. Review A stark uncompromising look at the realities of domestic violence, Charles Harris unflinching drama knits together seven monologues told directly to camera highlighting the nature and psychology surrounding abuse from completely different perspectives; a ten-year old boy talks of moving from refuge to refuge; a 16 year old hairdresser recounts the running battles in her household; a 26 year old woman recalls the violence in her family that drove her to drugs and prostitution; a male lawyer remembers how domestic violence pulled apart his family. Amid the disturbing tales, there is tender testimony memories of lost CDs and happier times with grandparents and the film is particularly good on the mindsets that domestic violence engenders, the meticulous planning required to escape an abusive relationship. If it feels at times a bit theatrical rather than cinematic, it doesn t detract from the power of the experiences and all without depicting a single act of violence. Visit www.ncdv.org or call 08009 702070 for further information. Silent Voices is available to buy on Amazon Verdict A touching, terrifying account that humanises a difficult subject matter. Reviewer: William Thomas --http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=135838

A harrowing but brilliant portrayal of the predicament of women in violent relationships, 23 September 2005 8/10 Author: sew-5 from United Kingdom I watched this drama on the community channel and it completely blew me away with it's stark portrayal of seven people all affected by domestic violence. It contains very truthful and moving performances from the whole cast with a very blunt and honest script, not sugaring the pill at all. These people don't want sympathy, they want to raise awareness. I was particularly moved by the performances of the office worker and the prostitute. Each story is different and does not necessarily focus on the violence itself, but on some of the mental abuse and fear surrounding every day life. It also concentrates on other family members who are affected by, but not necessarily the focus of the abuse. One of the main issues that the drama highlighted for me was that abuse doesn't always involve visible scars and it can be going on anywhere, at anytime to anyone. --http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478511/usercomments

Excellent film which puts across a strong message, 15 January 2006 8/10 Author: linstone-1 from United Kingdom Silent Voice graphically put across the impact of domestic abuse. The actors were excellent in portraying what it must be like to have been the victim of abuse. The production of the film was simple, but very effective. Using the words of people who had actually experienced this abuse, but spoken by actors, was a good way of putting the stories across. This film had a strong message which for me it managed to convey to the viewer. I would hope this film is seen on other broadcasting outlets - an extremely worthwhile project. --http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478511/usercomments