‘Everything I Ever Wanted to Tell My Daughter About Men’ has first public screening in aid of Refuge

Starring Jason Isaacs, Nathan Fillion, Lorien Haynes, and Issy Knopfler, this powerful film traces a woman’s relationship history backwards, exploring the impacts of sexual assault on her choices and her relationship experiences from teen pregnancy to infidelity and addiction.

The screening at Clapham Picturehouse will be the first time the film, which has been produced by executive producer Brenda Spira and producer Jamie Harvey, will be shown to a public audience. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session hosted by Refuge with Issy Knopfler and Faustine Petron, founder of the Make it Mandatory campaign.

Lorien Haynes, the film’s director and lead actress, said: 

“I wanted to partner with Refuge for Everything… as a survivor myself, encouraging women to tell their own stories. This is mine. And I know from experience how painful it is to speak out. Women’s voices and survivors’ stories are often side-lined. In telling my own I wanted to put my heart on my sleeve, jump and encourage other women to do the same.

“The entire team made the film to generate crucial conversations about violence against women and girls, and the many forms it takes – sexual, physical and emotional – and the trauma and long-term impacts on survivors. There is so much more we need to do to ensure women are free from abuse – education and conversation is a beginning. And telling our stories with humour and hope. And I hope people find this film empowering.

“This is a film made by survivors for survivors. It’s one woman’s journey to break free from the weight of abuse and to try to learn to love herself.”

Ruth Davison, Refuge CEO, said: 

“We are so grateful to Lorien for her ongoing support of Refuge. This film sheds light on some of the many experiences the women we support have lived through and which I know many more women will relate to.

“With one in four women in England and Wales experiencing domestic abuse, it’s vital that films like this are made to help open people’s eyes to the reality of abuse, the different forms it can take, and the impacts it can have on survivors.

Jason Isaacs said: 

“It’s an honour to be any part of raising awareness and vital funds for Refuge, who really are the last refuge for so many women and children suffering from domestic abuse and needing advice, support or a safe place to live.”

Natasha Saunders, a Refuge Survivor Ambassador, said:

“I urge everyone to see this film. It’s an accurate exploration of the way trauma can be carried by survivors like me. The cast are able to show that abuse and its long-term impacts can continue long after you flee. I know myself just how deep the trauma can run and how long it can take to recover. This is a must-see film for men and women.”

The dark comedy, first written for stage by Lorien Haynes, is directed by 21 female directors and has won awards at the Cannes Independent Film Festival, New York International Film Awards, Berlin International Art Film Festival and the LA Independent Women Film Awards.

The cast and crew are keen to raise awareness around the film’s themes of sexual and domestic abuse. The partnership with Refuge, England’s largest provider of specialist domestic abuse support services, will help raise vital funds for survivors and their children.

Refufe recently partnered with grassroots organisation Make it Mandatory to ensure the warning signs of domestic abuse are taught to all 16–19-year-olds. The campaign was started as a petition by young activists calling for the government to ensure no young people are missing out on this important learning. In partnership with Refuge, Make it Mandatory has written to the Secretary of State for Education urging action, and the petition has now been signed by almost 70,000 people.

Faustine Petron, campaigner and founder of Make it Mandatory, said: 

“It’s vital that young people are empowered to spot the signs of domestic abuse and know how to get support if they need it. That’s why I started my campaign, and why I want to continue using every tool I have to raise awareness of this issue.

“I’m so glad Lorien has made a film which explores these topics more and can be a powerful conversation starter for anyone who sees it.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Tickets for the screening can be purchased here.
2. Watch the film’s trailer here.
3. To find out more about the film, see here.
4. High resolution stills from the film are available on request. Please contact press@refuge.org.uk to obtain these.

About Refuge

Refuge supports thousands of women and children on any given day, and runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which is the gateway to accessing specialist support across the country. More than one in four women in England and Wales experiences domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime, and two women a week are killed by a current or former partner.

Please signpost to Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247, available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for free, confidential specialist support. Or visit www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk to fill in a webform and request a safe time to be contacted or to access live chat (live chat available 3pm-10pm, Monday to Friday). For support with tech abuse visit refugetechsafety.org

About ‘Everything…’

For more information about ‘Everything I Ever Wanted to Tell My Daughter About Men’ visit www.telleverything.org

Everything I Ever Wanted To Tell My Daughter About Men is 23 short films, directed by 21 women, edited to make one non-profit feature to support survivors of assault and abuse. All cast and crew donated their services.

For interview requests related to the film, please contact Clair Dobbs at CLD Communications 0207 399 8686 clair@cldcommunications.com