This Shocking Film Will Make you Re-think Violence

Dare and Dark Energy director David Stoddart have created a surprising and shocking campaign for domestic violence charity ManKind. The film sees a couple argue and fight in a busy London street as passers-by look on. As it unfolds, viewers will find their assumptions about the nature of domestic violence seriously challenged.

The spot has been created to highlight the fact that 40% of domestic abuse victims in the UK are men. Last year alone, 720,000 men in the UK are believed to have experienced domestic abuse. That’s not a small number - and society’s perceptions of domestic violence - and gender stereotypes full stop - don’t help. 

ManKind Initiative took to the streets of London last week to film people’s reactions to abuse – of men AND women. Because, whichever way you look at it, #ViolenceIsViolence. The film’s release has been timely, given the gossip and reaction that sprang from Solange Knowles’ recent attack on her brother-in-law Jay Z. Within minutes of the footage being released on TMZ, it became a source of entertainment on Twitter. #whatJayZsaidtoSolange trended worldwide for two days straight. And by the end of the week everyone from Keith Lemon to SNL had filmed a spoof. 

In this video, a couple have a fight on a busy street. In one scenario, the woman abuses the man. In the other – the man abuses the woman. The instance the man starts to become aggressive towards his girlfriend passers by jumped in. But when the woman pushed her boyfriend up against the railings, yelling at him aggressively, people walked straight past. To most onlookers, it was ‘just another domestic’.

Mark Brooks, Chair of ManKind Initiative, said: "A sign of living in an equal society is where men suffering from domestic violence are recognised and supported in the same way that female victims rightly are. The fact that in 2014 this is not the case shows the change that is still needed especially as many men fear they won't be believed if they come forward."

ManKind Initiative were supported by creative agency Dare in the production of this campaign. 

Sean Thompson, Chief Creative Officer at Dare, said: “The facts speak loud and clear. 60% of domestic violence is against women. And 40% is against men. 100% of domestic violence is wrong. Violence is violence.”

Credits for Mankind

Project name: Violence Is Violence

Client: ManKind

Brief: Raise awareness of domestic violence against men.

Creative agency: Dare

Creative Director: Sean Thompson

Creative: Andrew Bevan

Creative:  Chloe Pope

Creative: Jessica Morris 

TV Producer: Karen Egan

Production company: Dark Energy

Director: David Stoddart

Producer: Matt Brown

DOP:   Katie Swain

Editor:  Sam Bould@Big Buoy

Post-production:

Bog Buoy and Smoke & Mirrors

Audio post-production:

Wave studios