Murdered For Being Different

Good evening to all of you, my dear Ravens.

Winter Wolf rises from his ashes, under a new name, and returns to bring you a brand new column.

I apologize flatly for this absence.

The flame of inspiration was unfortunately extinguished.

But Fox is back, all elegant and this time, she won’t abandon you any more.

After all,

Today is a special day for the Gothic community.

Today we celebrate what should have been Sophie Lancaster's 34th birthday.

On this occasion, I chose to tell you about the tribute film dedicated to her: "Murdered For Being Different".

But firstly, let’s introduce the said young lady.

Sophie Lancaster, born November 26th, was a young woman living in England in the Lancashire county. She was described by her parents as a "She was funny, kind, loving and brave. She was a beautiful girl with a social conscience and values which made her a joy to know.»*

She was in a 3 years relationship with a 21 year old young boy, named Robert Maltby.

She was an active member of the Gothic Community.

And in this time of 2007, after a sabbatical year, she was going to enter Accrington University, for an English course.

« But Fox, she hasn’t done anything special ? Why would you talk about her ? And most of all, why in the past tense ?

Well, you see Billy, the reason why I mention Ms Lancaster in the past tense…

It’s because she left this world on October 24th, in 2007.

Because of a sordid assault, that moved deeply the heart of the worldwide Gothic Community.

Hence this tribute film.

This won’t be an easy column to do, but I have to do it.

It would have been inconceivable to leave this film in the oblivion while I maintain a blog about artistic works belonging to the Gothic culture.

Few are the French people of the Gothic community who have spoken about this film and this affair. The only one I've seen talking about it is Nephelith, who was also the person who introduced me to this case (https://nephelith.blogspot.com/2017/11/sophie-lancaster-assassinee-pour-sa. html)
The scale of this affair, of what it says about the state of our world, of our society concerns the whole world, not just England or the United States, the whole world, France included, that's also why I decided to write about this film.

There will be delicate and sensitive subjects in this movie. Hence it might stir the most sensitive of you.

Not suitable for those of a sensitive disposition…. But give it a try.

This movie delivers a message which is, I think, very important in those dark times which began to became way darker than expected.

Especially since the bazaar caused by this goofy former American president and the Chinese government in Hong-Kong.

We need deeply to share this message everywhere as possible.

But we’ll talk about it later.

For now on, let me introduce this full-length movie to you.

« Murdered For Being Different » is a full length movie released on June 18th in 2017 on BBC III. Directed by Paul Andrew Williams and written by Nick Leather. With Abigail Lawrie and Nico Mirallegro in the main roles (Sophie Lancaster and Robert Maltby).

The movie is about the assault endured by Sophie and Robert, in the evening of August 11th, 2007, the investigations which followed this horrid agression. The movie is also about the relationship between the two young-adults, in a veyr romantic and touching manner.

The movie switch between past (Sophie and Rob meeting and some slices of life) and present (The murder, the investigation, Rob’s wake and recovery and so on… ). Speaking of the murder, some bits are disseminated throughout the movie and near the end the puzzle is complete and we’re finally able to see the full version of it. But don’t expect a blockbuster-like scene, no « Die Hard » feelings here. Just the unadulterated reality of our world, as if P.A Williams go back in time to film the true scene and then put it in his movie. To give us to see the sad fact that our world can be very brutal and cruel sometimes. That in this world lives beings who are only motivates by ignorance, fear and hate, which they spread everywhere around them, with no consideration for their peers.

Lemme give you a friendly advice. Go take goods herbal teas while doing some yoga, could be good for relaxing yourself.

And don’t worry. The movie will move yourself but in a way more tender way.

How? Thanks to the scene with Robert and Sophie (There are 7), which are very touching. Becoming attached to them is very easy. I’m smiling deeply every time I see them. They give us to see a very symbiotic and loving couple, with each one taking care of the other.

Abigail Lawrie and Nico Mirallegro give their best to makes us love this relationship. Such as P.A Williams’s directing. The first scene that came to my mind while talking about this is the “First-Kiss” one. The middle-shot with the white confettis “isolating” the characters in their intimacy but without excluding us for all that. Shot brighten up by another with a low-angle shot while a camera revolve around them. Allowing us to enjoy this very important moment a little more without bothering them. Beautiful scene faltered by another one which takes place during the assault. Which denotes a lot and help strengthen both… Paradoxically. In the same time we feel happy and moved by their tender first kiss and shocked by this spoiler which informs us that this story will not end in a good way. And our hearts beg and pray in hope that at least one of them will survive, that it will not be as gruesome as it seems. And this ensemble is sublimed by a piano cover of the famous Pixies song, « Where Is My Mind ? » by Maxence Cyrin which is like their “main theme” as we hear it at each one of the Robert/Sophie scenes (Except for the meeting one, its replaced by « Rock And Roll Queen » by The Subways). Enough to make me cry my eyes out.

I would also give a tribute to the scene where Robert, despite of a long foot walk under the rain at night, rise against the elements to go buy the seventh tome of Harry Potter for Sophie (Which is apparently a Potterhead. So cool!) he waits a long time all alone at night, just to please his darling, because he know that finishing this saga, would be very important to her. Reading the last tome and finishing this saga which followed her since childhood, a saga with which she grew-up, literally and metaphorically. As a Potterhead fan, trust me, what Robert did, was a very important act.

That’s a very cute and beautiful scene, their so adorable it bring tears to my eyes.

(If you seek love, find yourself a boyfriend as caring as Robert)

The others actors and actresses are really good too.

For example,

Reiss Jarvis, which incarnate Michael Gorman, witness of the assault, main suspect et caller of the ambulance which rescued the young-adults, is very convincing in his role, acting as a lost discorded young boy which feel guilty about what happened but, in the same time, want to remain distant because of the reprisals.

He’s good enough to make my heart hesitate between two sensations.

In the same time I’m angry that he still silent and hide himself in silence, while two injured innocents are fighting for their life in the hospital.

And also I feel a lot of compassion for him, I understand his fear, his desire to not face this harsh reality, avoid reprisals. He’s lost, discorded, tormented by his guilt.

Compassion and anger at the same time.

Very peculiar. Which is great I think, it makes the experience of watching this movie even more intense.

But I have to be honest, I don’t feel the same for the other witnesses. They also hide in silence and try to dismiss themselves but I don’t feel compassion for them, just frustration. I think it’s because they’re only “secondary character”.

Chanel Cresswell is also a very remarkable actress, she’s very convincing in her role of the Detective Constable fighting heart and soul to render justice and to make the witnesses confess themselves.

Investigation which capture our attention very easily. Even before seeing the entire assault, just by seeing frames of it, just by seeing the immovable and hurts bodies of Robert and Sophie we feel totally concerned, thanks to all of their memories that we assist to during the movie. And so, we really want to see the proceeding of the investigation, and we want it to succeed. We truly wanna see the culprits arrested, judged and imprisoned.

I will not spoil how the investigation ends but be at ease, she’ll have a conclusion.

I will not spoil the final scene either, the only thing I can say is that she delivers a very powerful message, a very important message, a message who made us shed our last tears while warming our hearts in the same time. With, in the background, a cover of the Kate Bush song « Running Up That Hill » by Placebo. (marvellous cover by the way.)

A message of hope which tell us, straight in the eye: “Be proud of you, whatever people may say about you. Be proud of being different and don’t hide yourself because of hate and disdain.”

A message held by the association created by Sylvia Lancaster, Sophie’s mother, in 2009, The Sophie Lancaster Foundation. The Foundation fight every day, since eleven years to “To create a lasting legacy to Sophie. To provide educational group-works that will challenge the prejudice and intolerance towards people from alternative subcultures and to campaign to have the UK Hate Crime legislation extended to include people from alternative subcultures or Lifestyle and Dress.” **

And the campaign went well ! In April 2013 the “Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is the first Police Authority to record and monitor hate crimes and incidents against people from Alternative Subcultures” ***

The objective of creating a lasting legacy to Sophie has succeeded too. Particularly thanks to this event from January 2010 where “Sylvia was invited to light a candle in memory of Sophie at the Holocaust Memorial Commemoration Lunch at Park Lane Hilton” And where “They correctly recognise that Sophie's death was a Hate Crime and represents the face of prejudice and intolerance in today's society.” ****

That’s why this message is very important to share everywhere as we can. In 2020, where even tiny insignificant differences can lead to mockery, discriminations and hate, we must rise and spread vibes of tolerance and love.

So we must no stay silent, let’s shout it out loud, let’s scream it from the rooftops, let’s write it on our books, on the walls, on our social medias and blogs, let’s sing it in our songs, let’s carve it on our skins, let’s puts it in our movies and series. Let’s spread it everywhere, to infinity and beyond!

Please, speak irresponsibly and declare:

«Be proud of being different.

Whether you are a geek, a gothic, a metalhead, an otaku, a RPG player, gay, bisexual, lesbian, transgender, intersexual, asexual, aromantic, pansexual, non-binary, Black, Asian, Indian, Native American, effeminate, blond, ginger, tall, short-sighted, skinny, carrying a few extra pounds.. whatever you might be, don’t be afraid and be proud of you.

Don’t hide ourselves, let’s keep our heads highs and keep fighting, let’s rise after every fall, let’s keep smiling and walking. Continuing our lives even though rain still fall, it’s the best victory of all. Let’s assume our difference, let’s enjoy it. We deserves it at 100%. »

Sophie was never ashamed of who she was, she never put on a false mien to please her detractors, let’s perpetuate this legacy, this way of thinking, let’s be strong like Sophie.

And, dear comrades, dear friends, dear human peers, let’s chant tirelessly the slogan of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation:

Stamp

Out

Prejudice

Hatred

Intolerance

Everywhere

Be strong my dear Ravens, you’re all beautiful and you deserve a great happy life, no matter who and what you are.

Fox send you good vibes and wish you a merry peaceful evening.

* (Source : https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/aug/25/ukcrime.uknews4).

** (Source : https://sophielancasterfoundation.com/index.php/about-us)

*** (Source : https://sophielancasterfoundation.com/index.php/about-us)