Fifteen-year-old Tia has to be strong for her mum who's experiencing abuse, but she’s vulnerable to exploitation from criminal networks unless she can find a way out, fast.
Fifteen-year-old Tia and her long-suffering mum Dawn have been saving up to make a new life away from Dawn’s abusive partner, but he brings a drug debt to their door and leaves them penniless and trapped in an unsafe home. Tia’s hot new boyfriend Jay offers a way to earn fast cash by introducing her to a county lines network but when she realises she’s being set up, can she find a way out before it’s too late?
Dues was commissioned and produced by Synergy Theatre Project which works across theatre, film and the criminal justice system.
With County Lines activity growing and the National Crime Agency’s intelligence assessment that “females may be underrepresented as both offenders and victims of exploitation”, Synergy’s Artistic Director Esther Baker wanted to create a film which particularly explored the recruitment element from a female protagonist’s perspective which she hadn’t seen in other county lines stories.
With this in mind, she teamed up with Ambreen Razia, award-winning theatre and screen writer, whose work captures the energy, themes, dialogue and authenticity of the streets. Esther resumes a strong long-term creative relationship with Director of Photography Luke Cardiff whose professional expertise, documentary experience and creative approach helped her to realise her creative vision for the film.
Content Notices: Gender based violence including domestic violence, county lines, depiction of blood
Credits
Esther Baker - Director
Ambreen Razia - Writer
Jennie McClure - Producer
Nakiah Varcianna - Producer
Peter Oliver - Editor
James Gourlay - Producer
Luke Cardiff - Director of Photography
Chris Beston - Editor
Juanita and Joel Stein - Composers
Kemi Adoweru - Actor, Tia
James Hillier - Actor, Nick
Khai Shaw - Actor, Jay
Petra Letang - Actor, Dawn
Morgan Watkins - Actor, Michael
