Sophie Lancaster Article for Student Direct

Animated film shows last minutes of girl attacked in Manchester

A film depicting the murder of Sophie Lancaster, 20, was shown to a crowd of hundreds in Manchester last fortnight, in the hope of raising awareness of prejudice towards subcultures.

The two-minute-long animation, which shows Sophie and her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, being kicked to death in a Lancashire park, was screened for the first time outside Manchester’s Urbis on what would have been Lancaster’s 23rd Birthday. The film was commissioned by make-up brand Illamasqua, and directed by the award winning French director Fursy Teyssier.

Lancaster and Maltby were attacked in August 2007, simply because of the way they looked. Both were ‘Goths’ and were approached by a gang of youths in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, before being kicked in the head, Lancaster suffering fatal injuries.

Maltby, a student in Manchester, went into a coma but came out of it two weeks later. During the trial, in which two teenage boys were found guilty of murder, the Judge said: “This was a terrible case which has shocked and outraged all who have heard about it. At least wild animals, when they hunt in packs, have a legitimate reason for so doing, to obtain food. You have none and your behaviour on that night degrades humanity itself.”

Sophie: Dark Angel brought in huge crowds, most of whom were Goths themselves. Despite it being freezing cold, the atmosphere was positive, with many of Lancaster’s friends and family present. After a speech from her mother, Sylvia Lancaster, the film was shown to a silent crowd. Most were moved to tears, as the animation shows Lancaster’s spirit breathing life into her boyfriend, an act of sacrifice for someone she loved.

James Reed, who had come to watch the film in support of its message said: “I think it’s something that kids definitely should watch, so that they understand that they should tolerate people that choose to be different.” He also describes his own experience of bullying; “Well, I’ve been called ‘mosher’ before and things like that. I do have some kids around where I live, and they don’t understand… some accept me, some don’t, but I choose not to give in to intimidation because this is who I am.”

Sophie: Dark Angel is now available to watch on youtube and will also be played during ad breaks on popular global music channel MTV. For more information about the work that Sylvia Lancaster is doing visit The S.o.p.h.i.e (Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere) Foundation Website at www.sophielancasterfoundation.com.

Featured in Student Direct: Mancunion 14/12/09