Page 28 - Community Living Magazine 34-1

arts: film

TJ: I actually reckon it could be improving
and I really want to play someone who
might want to save the world in a sci-fi
fantasy really.
TH: The film has been extremely successful
A killer in the festivals it has been shown at.
TJ: I won the Don Quixote award in
Krakow, Poland, and some other awards at
role different festivals, which is wicked.
TH: You have been involved in some
extremely successful films and TV
programmes. Personally, I loved your
role as Terry Boyle in Line of Duty. Could
you tell me a little about how you came
to be involved in acting and the benefits
A care worker falls to his death – was it an accident or you think drama has for people with
deliberate? Tracey Harding watches eerie crime thriller learning disabilities?
TJ: Well. I first started acting in theatre
Innocence and meets the star, Tommy Jessop and I also reckon there are really loads
of benefits that drama has for people
with learning disabilities actually. You
hat a pleasure it is to see a film fallen to his death and, in true crime drama can learn new acting skills and make
released with the major mode, we are left wondering whether this new friends and it truly is good fun
Wcharacter played by an actor is an accident or murder. When the police putting on a play. I have noticed that
with a learning disability. begin to investigate, some ugly truths people get scared and nervous before
For people with learning disabilities, the begin to unfold concerning the ‘care’ the a play and now they are getting
small windows of opportunity they may residents are receiving. more confident.
have had to gain experience and make TH: What advice would you give to
progress in a difficult industry will Dark tension anyone with learning disabilities who
undoubtedly be more difficult as a result The film is beautifully shot, giving a dark think they may want to pursue a career
of coronavirus, with cinemas and arts and threatening undertone, which keeps in film?
venues closed. the audience in suspense and maintains TJ: I would say follow your dreams and
This 20-minute film is written and the tension right until the end. perhaps one day you will be in your
directed by Ben Reid, whose younger One scene in particular, when the dream film.
brother has Down’s syndrome. Frustrated residents are being given their medication TH: I want to ask about lockdown. How
by the lack of films featuring relatable which they don’t want or don’t need, did you find the experience, and how has
characters with learning disabilities, he has overtones of One Flew Over the this affected the publicising and screening
wrote the script with a learning disabled Cuckoo’s Nest. of Innocence?
protagonist who shapes and drives the The film uniquely puts the character TJ: Quite annoying because we can’t go to
film narrative. of Dylan in situations where often we the festivals or award ceremonies. The
cannot tell if he is the hero or the villain, screenings have been online. But I am also
and challenges the stereotypes of the enjoying it at the same time because of
The film puts the character of usual presentation of people with being able to go online and watch the
Dylan in a situation where learning disabilities. results come in!
I had the opportunity to ask Tommy
TH: What is the next step for you? Are
often we cannot tell if he is Jessop some questions about the film. there any new projects in the pipeline?
the hero or the villain This began with Jessop saying that Reid TJ: Well there are a couple of films in the
wrote the story because his brother has pipeline, but they are all top secret! And I
Down’s syndrome. He was really proud to am also in the middle of yet another film,
play the role. which is also top secret.
Innocence has garnered awards at TH: Would you be interested in writing
festivals and may be developed into a Interview: making the film or directing?
full-length feature film in the future. Tracey Harding: How long did the film TJ: Yes, I would. I am in the middle of
The film is a crime story that tells the take to shoot? What was it like working writing a story right now.
story of Dylan, a young man with Down’s with the rest of the cast? TH: Is there a role you would like to
syndrome who lives in a care home for Tommy Jessop: Working with the rest of perform either on stage or screen?
adults with learning disabilities. the cast was really good fun. It was a TJ: Well I would like to play Romeo in
Dylan is played by Jessop, who has three-day shoot but I had to learn lines Romeo and Juliet on stage and James
already given a number of outstanding beforehand. Bond in a film.
performances, most recently in Line of TH: Dylan is a hero figure in the film, TH: Lastly, was the experience of working
Duty. In Innocence he gives another which is sadly not usual when the with Ben the director something that you
poignant, sensitive performance. character has Down’s syndrome. Do you would like to repeat?
The film opens with the death of a think the opportunities for actors with TJ: Yes, I really would and hope to again. SweetDoh
worker at the care home. The worker has learning disabilities are improving? ● www.innocencethefilm.com

28 Vol 34 No 1 | Autumn 2020 Community Living www.cl-initiatives.co.uk