Yesterday I went to a screening of Hell's Pavement, Andy Kemp's impressive directorial debut about a young girl growing up in foster care.
Authentic, provocative and based entirely on true events this docu-drama style film stays with you, as uncomfortably as it is intended to. The team behind Hell's Pavement - many of whom have personal and/or professional experience of foster care - want to ignite national debate about the UK care system.
Aimee Collins (Keeki Bennetts) is no different to the other 59,999 children in the UK care system: vulnerable; unpredictable and in need of the best sort of love and support.
But Aimee is particularly vulnerable and unpredictable. Rejected by her mother, who was under the influence of drugs, alcohol and an abusive boyfriend, the 11 year old is self-harming by the time she enters foster care.
Her foster parents Maeve (Father Ted's Pauline McLynn) and Peter (Connor Byrne) have the right combination of skill and patience to transform Aimee's life, if only the system would allow it. Local authority budgets mean Aimee is taken away from them, without warning, at a point when she is just beginning to settle into her new life and grow in confidence.
What follows - also the opening scene of the film - is shocking, upsetting and has dire consequences, but in a child's eye view of the world was a desperate cry for help.
The film's title, says producer and co-writer Keith Gorman, comes from the old adage, 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions.' And Hell's pavement stays true to this message. Despite the good intentions of the professionals responsible for Aimee's well-being, she grows up bearing the scars of parental and statutory failure.
Social care professionals will probably find their experiences at work, good or bad, shape their opinions of Hell's pavement, but the filmmakers are mindful not to demonise or generalise. Their connection with the subject matter means this is not a prurient, mawkish look at the misfortune of others, but an important film with a clear purpose.
"We want to shake up the system and get the film seen by those with the power to make changes," said Gorman.
Social workers and foster carers I spoke to after the film felt it was powerful, if bleak, and reflected some of the situations and pressures they face at work. A Q&A session after the film - which follows all performances this week - raised key issues: a lack of support from senior managers; a lack of adequate support for foster carers and financial pressures affecting the whole sector.
Hell's Pavement is showing today, until Thursday October 29th, at the Lexi Cinema in West London. Check the film's website for details of further UK showings.
Watch out for an interview with Keith Gorman later this week.
Saw this film recently and thought it was really powerful. I'd like to recommend it to all working in social care. I'm a therapeutic social worker and recognised some of the scenarios and issues like when Karla suggested good practice and the senior manager/reviewing officer told her she was too down to earth and should look at theories more. Actually often common sense and instinct are just as important. It strikes me we don't understand just what therapeutic is... But anyway. Important a mainstream looking film with well known actors has been made about foster care. I would like to see this picked up by channel 4 or itv.
A very thought provoking true to life film, a must for for any body thinking of entering the Care Industry or of becoming a Foster Carer. This is the real life and it gets worse for the children but with help and persistance we can all make a difference, i have been a Foster Carer for 5yrs, and its as rewarding as it is soul destroying.
Well done to all involved in its making
A smile tells a million stories so join the care Industry and make a differencex