A cast of 45 Manchester-based women star in a new short film, backed by Creative England, that seeks to raise awareness of domestic abuse.
Written by playwright Jayne Marshall and directed by Paul Blinkhorn, Hand To Hand Combat launched on YouTube today.
It was originally performed as a play at the Royal Exchange Theatre and aired on BBC Radio Manchester, and was a winner of the Manchester Monologues competition.
Blinkhorn has received training from Creative England via the Ideate Manchester programme.
He and Marshall said: “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.”
