SHE WORE BLUE

Director's Statement

She Wore Blue is the film I have been most challenged to make. Simultaneously terrified and resolved; from the first audition I felt the weight of responsibility in creating a film that puts a story about trauma and healing on the screen. I was relieved to find out I wasn't the only person who was passionate about making this film and exploring this story. At every turn in making She Wore Blue I have been met by incredible commitment and support. I was very fortunate to have the guidance of Alison Tilson (Japanese Story ,2003) (Road to Nhill,1997) and (Rabbit-Proof Fence, 2002) who was my script supervisor and encouraged me this story was powerful and needed telling. I have seen a great many films that give sexual assault screen time, but I haven't seen any films that give screen time to healing from this trauma; that give screen time to hope. As someone who has experienced trauma and oftentimes felt misunderstood; I wanted to make this film for the survivors. I wanted to say - I see you. I see you and you don't have to hold on to any memory that you don't want to. Healing is possible and so is intimate love. I was interested in exploring the impacts of trauma on familial relationships. While my film is bookended by Elsie's romantic relationship with Noah, the most important relationship in the film is between Elsie and her older sister, Yasmin. Intimacy isn't just reserved for our romantic partners. I wanted to explore an intricate relationship between sisters and the intimacy and challenges of sisterhood. I've been so touched by the feedback on my film's message. People have told me they begun to question the behaviour of some young women in their lives - no longer dismissing it as teenage angst but perhaps as a response of trauma. Sexual violence is an unfortunate reality of the world we live in. However, I am uplifted by all the wonderful men and women who have come together to make She Wore Blue.