Logline: Sexual Abuse - finding our way from pain to healing and freedom through body, soul and spirit.

Current Status: In post-production.

Length: 60 mins

Director: Ian Cooke

Producer: Ian Cooke, Jason Huxley

Looking for (i.e. buyer, distributor, sales agent, producer, media interest). Sales Opportunities, sales agent, media interest

Funders: Private funding support

Made in association with: Australian Heart Productions

Humble Hope is a film about sexual abuse and healing. Why did you decide to make this film?

Sexual Abuse has become a major issue in our society thanks to the Australian Royal Commission…it is something that needs to be talked about. I looked at all the media that had been to air and it seemed to be centred on the Royal Commission, the church and institutions, and the system not working.

There was very little, if no stories on people’s personal journeys, and finding out why and how people are affected by abuse on a personal level…nor was there anything that would show how people have found healing on their journey…or would offer hope.

Why is the film called Humble Hope?

Forgiveness and repentance is a very difficult and complex area…the name reflects the hope we want to offer to viewers that there is a way through, but one which involves not just physical and psychological treatment, but also a resolution through the spiritual person, but with a humble and understanding approach in particular to victims

The film is from the point of view of the victim, perpetrator and expert. Why did you decide to focus on all three?

Our main focus in the film is on the survivor of Sexual Abuse. We want to achieve 2 main goals with the film:

1. People who may view the film and need healing can seek help in their lives

2. To educate people to provide them with a better understanding of Sexual Abuse and its effect on the human condition

The experts are there to help the viewer understand the stories shared by the survivors and how it has affected them…the perpetrator is there to try to explain how they need to put things right for the survivor…and how they have impacted on other peoples lives

What type of feedback have you received so far about the film?

Those that have seen the snippets of the film or a promotional clip have been very positive. The few that have viewed the rough edit to date have all been powerfully impacted with the film

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

It has not surprised nor challenged, but one surprise has been how it has impacted those that have viewed the whole film

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on this platform?

We are going to enter the film into festivals internationally…but we hope that this may open the door to promote the film and get good opportunities for distribution

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message and audience?

I need buyers, broadcasters, and festival directors to want to show the film

What type of impact would you like this film to have?

My hope is that it will have an impact on people’s lives so that they may better understand the issue of sexual abuse from a human perspective and how it affects lives and how people can find a way through to a better future (rather than the rhetoric of the commission and the politics involved)

Lastly, what’s a key question that will help spark a debate about this issue and film?

This is a very hard question! In asking this I am not referring to religion or religious activities…rather that we are humans with body, soul and spirit.

I guess my question is “Can people find real healing through a spiritual or Christian journey? Is it important?”