Released by Sheffield-based film production Big Buddha Films in connection with International Womens Day 2024, Safe is a short film which explores the harassment women endure in public spaces and the ongoing adaptations they must make in their lives to ensure their safety. After picking up Best Director and Best Screenplay at the Aesthetica Short Film Festival in York and a Best Actor award at Seville Indie Film Festival, Exposed’s Ellie Ashton reviewed the film and delved into its themes with director Debbie Howard.
Can you explain the significance of choosing the title and how it reflects the central themes or message of the story?
As women we have to think about our safety often. If we’re going for a night out, or travelling somewhere etc, we often have to think ahead about how to keep ourselves safe. What route we’ll take home. Getting a taxi even when we can’t afford one, or when we could easily walk but it’s too risky. If we’re driving, how close to the venue we can park. It’s something we always have to take into consideration. I don’t know a single woman who hasn’t thought about these things and who hasn’t been harassed, or worse, usually many times, throughout her life, who hasn’t felt afraid going about her very normal daily business. Safety is a real issue for us.
“Women and girls have learned from a very young age to instinctively try to keep themselves safe by assessing situations and avoiding them escalating.”
Can you discuss the significance of the setting, particularly the choice of a bus stop during a rainy evening?
We can’t all drive, or afford a car, or a taxi. And even if we can, we could, and should be able to take public transport. Our main protagonist, Anne, isn’t a person with spare money. She’s done a shift at work. She just wants to get home, easily and for as little of her hard-earned wages as possible. The fact that it’s pouring down limits her choices even more. It also makes it harder for her to move away from the bus shelter. She doesn’t even have waterproof clothing. All of this just adds to confining her to the bus shelter where she gets harassed.
The film includes moments where bystanders are present but seemingly unaware of the situation unfolding. What commentary were you making on bystander apathy or societal attitudes towards harassment?
Sometimes bystanders notice things and do nothing. Sometimes they just don’t notice. In this case, the young man at the bus stop isn’t really aware of what’s happening because he’s wearing headphones and is absorbed in his phone, as is often the case. Our perpetrator, Daz, is behaving in quite subtle ways that might not attract the attention of others. I wanted to make it clear in the film that sometimes threatening and intimidating behaviour can be quite subtle. Anne tries to make eye contact with the other man at the bus stop a couple of times, but is unable to get his attention. It can be difficult for a person to ask for others for help when an actual physical attack might not have taken place, as it can be very hard to explain what is happening.
There’s still a lot of prejudice and although things are getting better, women still have to fight for their place in the film industry. Especially northern, working class women, especially older women like myself. But it’s really important to be able to tell our own stories.
The woman in the film attempts to assert control and protect herself in various ways. What commentary, if any, were you making on the expectations of women to navigate threatening situations imposed by men?
Women and girls have learned from a very young age to instinctively try to keep themselves safe by assessing situations and avoiding them escalating. Sometimes that means that they appease men to try to avoid a situation becoming out of control and putting themselves in further danger. Women have been blamed so much for men’s behaviour. Implying if they hadn’t been dressed a certain way, or had a drink, or walked down a particular road, that whatever happened to them wouldn’t have happened. I had a very similar situation to the one in Safe on the tube over twenty five years ago on a Sunday morning. I’ve never forgotten it. I have been in this kind of situation many times. My daughter has, my mum and sisters have, and all of my friends. We shouldn’t have to work so hard to protect ourselves, because these situations shouldn’t be happening in the first place. But we find ourselves having to do that so many times.
As a female filmmaker, what challenges have you faced in the industry, and how does your experience inform the stories you choose to tell?
There’s still a lot of prejudice and although things are getting better, women still have to fight for their place in the film industry. Especially northern, working class women, especially older women like myself. But it’s really important to be able to tell our own stories, to have stories and perspectives from everyone, not just the same people. I’m passionate about telling stories that are very female centric. Stories that are sometimes uncomfortable. Getting funding for films is so difficult. Laura, Rachel and I have another film in development called Roach. Laura has written that script, I will direct and Rachel will produce. We’re looking for investors if anyone is interested in finding out more.
“I don’t know a single woman who hasn’t thought about these things and who hasn’t been harassed, or worse, usually many times, throughout her life.”
What do you hope audiences take away from watching this film, particularly in terms of awareness or reflection on the issue of harassment?
We screened the film at Aesthetica short film festival in York recently, it opened the festival and had several screenings throughout. It went on to win Best Director and Best Screenplay at the festival which was wonderful. It sparked so many conversations about harassment and the Director of the festival said that when she first watched it she was shouting at the screen in her kitchen because it enraged her so much. Women were discussing the film afterwards in the toilets. It resonated for everyone. We had some very interesting conversations from men too. Some who really got it and others that had no idea. I really hope the film will make men think about their actions and also be more aware of what’s going on around them. Obviously there are loads of men out there that would never behave like Daz. Being aware of these issues, though, could really help others. There needs to be a lot more education about harassment and intimidating behaviour. And this needs to be taken far more seriously. It can be difficult to report something that’s not really considered a crime. So much needs to change.
What did Ellie think of ‘Safe’?
Safe is a compelling short film that delves into the pressing issue of women’s safety and harassment. Set on a gloomy, rainy evening at a bus stop, the film follows protagonist, Anne, as she navigates the subtle yet menacing advances of a stranger. Through its poignant narrative and resonant themes, Safe prompts essential conversations about the constant vigilance women must maintain in public spaces.
The film places emphasis on the threat of eye contact and, while not inherently harmful from a bystander’s perspective, it can evoke an intense sense of unease for the victim on the other side of it. “Why are you women so f*cking paranoid?’ the perpetrator says, reflecting the degrading attitude that lots of men have today. The film accurately underscores the emotional stress that women can endure in their day to day lives, capturing the psychological toll of harassment.
Women were discussing the film afterwards in the toilets. It resonated for everyone.
What sets Safe apart is its predominantly female team, bringing an insightful perspective to the narrative and fostering a collaboration that enhances the film’s message. Despite the challenges faced, director, Debbie Howard, remains steadfast in her commitment to amplifying diverse voices and challenging stereotypes.
Overall, it is a powerful and thought-provoking short film that leaves a lasting impression, advocating for greater education and accountability in addressing issues of harassment and intimidation.
You can find out more about Safe and the work Big Buddha Films do at bigbuddhafilms.co.uk. Keep up to date on socials by following @big_buddha_films.
