Red carpet treatment for young stars of crime film

Young people who made and starred in a film to show how victims of crime suffer will get the red carpet treatment at a premiere event at Darwen Library Theatre.

‘Because of You’ will play to a 150 -strong audience of young people, teachers, youth offending team workers, magistrates and a number of well known TV actors and director who supported the project on Wednesday, May 20.

Lancashire actor Paul Simpson, who has appeared in Coronation Street, Casualty and Heartbeat, directed the film, which aims to help young people understand how victims are affected by crime.

Film and TV Director Philip Wood, Manchester based actress Elianne Byrne, Coronation Street Graeme Hawley, who plays John Snape, and EastEnders and Casualty scriptwriter Ian Kershaw were also involved. The soundtrack was created alongside the young people by up and coming musicians on the grime and niche scene in Manchester Chimpo and George.

It was part of a project funded by Blackburn with Darwen’s community safety partnership, working with a group of young people aged 14 to 17 to help them empathise with victims of violent crime.

The young people involved helped to develop the concept for the film and were involved in storyboarding, acting, filming and editing, as well as recording the music for the film.

There are plans to interview real victims of crime and produce a documentary style programme to go with the film, which will then be used as a resource for work with young people.

Gladys Rhodes, deputy director of children’s services, said: “Young people are so often seen in a negative light, but this is an extremely positive event.

“The making of this film has been a very worthwhile experience for these young people, some of whom are now interested in pursuing media courses when they leave school.”