New film to premiere in Regina brings community together in dialogue about violence in young relationships

News Release Release Date: November 17, 2011 12:04 p.m.

A new film entitled This Time Last Winter will receive its premiere screening Thursday, November 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. The half-hour dramatic film dealing with violence in young relationships will be followed by a panel discussion on the topic.

The film is produced and co-written by University of Regina Media Production and Studies (MPS) Assistant Professor Sarah Abbott. It is directed and co-written by 2009 MPS filmmaker-in-residence Ann Verrall. MPS film production students also worked on the film. The film stars Danna Henderson, Ian Brodland, Cheryl Jack and Erroll Kinistino. Danna Henderson received the award for Best Actress at the 2010 Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival for her role in the film.

“The violence in the film’s story erupts suddenly and unexpectedly out of the magic and fun of a young couple,” said Sarah Abbott. “Often the focus in these situations is on women who experience abuse. Anne Verrall and I wanted to explore the effects, not only on the person who is at the receiving end of the violence, but also the person who inflicts the violence, and the impact on all people connected to the two people directly involved.”

Following the screening of the film a panel discussion will take place on the subject of violence in young relationships. Panelists include Dr. Mary Hampton, professor in the department of Psychology at Luther College, University of Regina, Dustin Stuefloten, a member of Youth Education About Health (YEAH), a program developed through Planned Parenthood Regina, Dr. Carrie Bourassa, Associate Professor in the Department of Science at First Nations University of Canada, Danna Henderson, award winning star of This Time Last Winter, and Dory Oochoo, a participant in the “I am a Kind Man” anti-violence program. Lois Isnana, Child Care Counsellor at the Qu’Appelle Haven Safe Shelter, will moderate the panel.

“Youth are particularly vulnerable to relationship violence because they may have misconceptions about acceptable behavior and can miss signs of dysfunction, codependency and emotional abuse,” said Abbott. “The more people talk about the complex factors the more chance we as a society have to raise awareness and reduce incidents of partner violence.”

All are welcome to attend and participate in the discussion.  Admission is by donation.

To learn more about the film online, please visit www.sarahabbott.ca.

For more information, contact Sarah Abbott at (306) 585-4437 or sarah.abbott@uregina.ca