MM Shorts – Barricade (Alice Johannessen)

Lost in the summer haze as your favourite sounds blare into your ears. Only to have that sun-kissed escapism abruptly halted by a brattish boy, flexing his toxic masculinity by sexually harassing you on a busy bus, with seemingly no safe route for your grievances to go. That is the reality faced by young Aleena (Zara Nisa) in Alice Johannessen’s ‘Barricade’. Within the space of 10 minutes. writer/director Johannessen does a stellar job in identifying the dangers of ‘normalising’ such everyday rotten behaviour that can go viral without little consequence and the complicity of those meant to stamp this out only offering passive responses. Whilst offering refuge, enabling that freedom of female expression to flourish in a safe space as well as displaying the power and catharsis, that comes with mobilising against this systemic abuse.

Shot in the West Midlands, ‘Barricade’ has already been having a major impact in the region. ‘Safeline’ has screened the film to well over 2000 students, as the film and charity look to swiftly change the culture around sexual violence/abuse. Looking to scale up nationally, Safeline have offered workshops in schools that actively encourage young people to support each other, whilst empowering them to call it out where necessary. In some settings, this has contributed to a 50% reduction in young people stating they have been the subject of sexual harassment in school. Screening at various BAFTA and Academy Award-qualifying festivals, ‘Barricade’ has received plenty of recognition too scoring both the 16 Days 16 Films Audience Award and Reel Brum Award back at Flatpack Festival in May.

Inspiring the title, having a group of students build such an obstacle is an image that has been imprinted on director Alice’s mind.

After reading an OFSTED report where sexual harassment in schools was described as “a routine part of everyday life” I realised that this image belonged at the end of this story. Every woman I know has experienced this. An incident in the playground, workplace, or at a bus stop that was brushed aside as a joke, no big deal, or simply boys being boys. A passing moment quickly labeled ‘unremarkable’, takes deep roots and causes serious damage.

After her being assaulted by Will on the school bus Aleena can’t escape the micro-moments of misogyny that are embedded into everyday school life. For Aleena, this environment becomes more and more suffocating until it’s disrupted by a moment of unrestrained friendship. Our aim with Barricade was to make a film that immersed audiences in the feelings teenage girls experience on an average school day. The insecurity, rage, euphoria, blood, sweat, and tears. To ask what happens when all these feelings can no longer be contained? Where do they go when an institution repeatedly fails to find a space or outlet for them? By ending the story with a moment of intense catharsis I hope audiences will consider why this is such a rarity for survivors/victims.

The significance of effectively conveying such a vital message through its visuals as well as performance, was not lost on its cast. Putting in a brilliantly nuanced performance as Aleena, lead actress Zara Nisa said:

‘”Film is about connection, about change. I’m so proud that Barricade does this so beautifully.”

The crew only complimented Zara’s sentiment and sense of purpose.

“Barricade was a really exciting project to be part of, the fact is was backed by Safeline meant it was going to serve a real purpose in the wider community, When Alice approached me with the script I couldn’t wait to get started, we spoke in depth about the characters, the core meaning behind the story but also visual references, both leaning  into shows like Sex Education and Heartstopper naturally, for some visual inspiration from contemporary shows set in schools. We also really wanted to visually isolate Aleena as much as possible, relying on centrally framed, tighter shots to help the audience feel her sense of loneliness, until the final sequence.” – Ash Connaughton, DP.

“I connected with the script immediately and knew it had to be made into a short film. Partnering with the charity Safeline for the duration of the shoot and distribution has been an honor. Knowing that they ensured the safety of the cast and crew on set, and are now working with schools to distribute the film and positively influence behaviour, is incredibly important. It’s one of my proudest achievements to this day.” – Molly Young, Producer. 

Want to watch ‘Barricade’? You can check it out now on Omeleto!

Instagram: @barricadefilm