Creative England is proud to support Hand To Hand Combat, a new short film that seeks to raise awareness of domestic abuse – an incredibly important issue that has sadly been exacerbated by life under lockdown.
Written by playwright Jayne Marshall (The Lives And Loves Of Vera Dymond) and directed by Paul Blinkhorn (After Auschwitz; Duty Calls), the film features a cast of 45 Manchester-based women from a variety of acting and non-acting backgrounds.
Filmed remotely and under lockdown conditions, the powerful, affecting short film seeks to make a positive change at a time when survivors of domestic violence are perhaps feeling more in danger and more hidden from view than ever.
Beginning life as a play, Hand To Hand Combat was a winner of the Manchester Monologues competition, and was performed at the Royal Exchange Theatre and aired on BBC Radio Manchester. This adaptation was helmed by director Paul Blinkhorn, writer and director of numerous plays, short films and audio dramas. Paul has received training from Creative England via the Ideate Manchester programme, an initiative that offers training, coaching and mentoring for those working in fields such as film, TV, games and theatre.
Jayne and Paul say: “if just one person is able to find comfort and safety from the film then we will have achieved our goal.”
Stephanie Clark, Senior Programme and Engagement Manager for Creative England, said: “Making a film under lockdown conditions is no mean feat, let alone one this powerful and with such an important, meaningful message. Hand To Hand Combat feels vital and timely, and our hats go off to Paul, Jayne, their crew and talented cast for what they’ve achieved. The film showcases the creative sector’s tenacity and can-do attitude as well as its desire to make a positive change, and we couldn’t be happier to support it.”
