Offender in the Family (w/t)

Channel 4 has commissioned from Brinkworth Productions 1 x90 film Offender in the Family (w/t).  Directed by Colette Camden it follows two families as they deal with the shock and trauma of a family member being convicted of possessing indecent images.  For the wives, partners and children who knew nothing until the arrest, the revelation can unhinge everything they thought was normal and safe. . The cast is led by actor Sinead Keenan who recently won Best Actor (Female) at the Royal Television Society Awards and was nominated for Leading Actress at the BAFTA TV Awards for her role in Little Boy Blue.

Utilising an innovative technique designed to protect the identity of the families involved, the film was first made as an audio documentary

Keeping this as the soundtrack, it was  shot as a drama using lip-synced performances from actors (who appear to speak the words), creating a seamless blend of documentary and drama. Everything the audience hear will be the real and authentic documentary, whilst everything they see will be beautifully crafted drama – allowing the film to combine the emotional intensity and intimacy of documentary with the heightened aesthetic of drama.

Tracing the impact over 18 months, this film captures each family – the wives, the children and the offenders themselves – as they navigate fraught relationships, deal with the shame and the stigma of the offence, and make difficult decisions about their future.

Head of Documentaries Nick Mirksy said;  “ I am really pleased that Colette Camden and Brinkworth Productions have found such a creative way of telling this story.  The technique allows us to give a voice to families whose lives are shaken by these revelations – and who would never agree to take part in a conventional documentary.”  

A deeply powerful exploration of the nature of betrayal, family and relationships, this moving film handles this very difficult subject with clarity, power and – remarkably – moments of humour.”

Paedophilia is Britain’s most hated crime. However, it’s also one of the fastest growing – with over 400 people arrested for downloading and viewing indecent images of children every month.

Each of these offenders has a family. But the families’ perspectives are rarely heard.

Director: Colette Camden
Producer: Lis Olgiati
Executive Producer: Malcolm Brinkworth
Commissioning Editor: Nick Mirsky
Production Company: Brinkworth Productions for Channel 4