Salford director Nicola Stead hosted a premiere this Tuesday to bring power to victims of domestic abuse through her film 1763.
On an intimate Tuesday evening around six o’clock, everyone else in the city of Salford is packing their day up, traffic is heavy and dusk is imminent. I found my way on foot from Salford’s Coronation Street to Versa Studios and entered a large room that was dimly lit with warm lights.
Friends and strangers mingled, asking “Do you want a cuppa?” softly. With that familiarity we shared, gathered thoughts on what we all knew we were about to experience, the powerful and moving film, which was based on a true story.
Everyone found their seats and the film began to roll on very large television screens, filling every corner of the room. The film was narrated by Nicola, who stood throughout.
Nicola was portrayed in the film by ITV actor Debbie Brannan.
Nicola found strength and power in her own distinctly northern voice as she read a spoken poem over shots which depicted her relationship. The hairs on my arms stood firm and I had goosebumps. It was unapologetically authentic, raw and sometimes uncomfortable to watch.
My eyes peeled back as I scanned the room, which was still and focused. Nobody made any sound, but despite this, I noticed a tear fell from the cheek of the lady sitting to my left.
In the short film 1763, Nicola navigates the beginning of her story with a pregnancy scan, where she is told she is going to give birth to triplets.
The clinical brightness of the opening scene offers a fragile sense of hope, but that light quickly fades. Nicola speaks with painful honesty about feeling worthless, hopeless and constantly fearful for her safety.
As bruises begin to mark her body, her words become heavier and forceful. At one point, she acknowledges the terrifying possibility that she could be killed, a statement delivered not for shock value, but as a harrowing reflection of her reality.
As the director, she plays on a dark and light contrast of shadows to evoke the feelings of oppression that her abuser had over her, without displaying any acts of physical violence. Visceral sequences showing a tensed neck are repeated, conveying the claustrophobia she experienced physically and mentally.
Every breath, every pause, feels like a fight for strength and courage.
Nicola recounted being homeless and failed by the justice system three times in her fight for freedom. Her abuser was acquitted. It took her 1,763 days to receive justice since leaving her abuser, which inspired her title 1763.
In her final act of bravery, there is a seamless transition from lead actress Debbie Brannan to Nicola Stead, where she waives her anonymity.
She described her motivation to leave her abuser as “her kids”. She is extremely empowering to young women all over the UK, at a time when violence against women is deemed at an all-time high and a national emergency. Her strength and persistence led to her case being reopened after multiple failures, failures which contributed to over 70% of domestic abuse cases being closed without investigation.
A short while after the film had ended, people huddled around her, feeling deeply, I heard one colleague describe her as “Wonder Woman” and highlighted that the film was “captivating from start to finish.”
Assistant Chief Constable Stephanie Parker from Greater Manchester Police said: “We know that the service you first received from GMP fell far short of what you deserved, and for that, we are truly sorry.
“Across GMP we have made significant improvements, and we handle these cases better today than we did then, but we also recognise that there is still more to do.
“Your voice and your story will help us continue to make those changes.
“I want to wish you every success with your premiere and all of us at GMP sends their very best.
“You are incredibly brave and now it is our responsibility to ensure that we continue learning, improving and giving back in any way we can.”
The short film will air on Channel 4 as part of the Random Acts strand on Friday 20th February at 12.05am. It will also be available to watch on 4OD and Channel 4 Random Acts YouTube.
Created by Nicola Stead, the film was written, directed and produced after her involvement in Channel 4’s Ones to Watch talent development initiative, where creatives pitch short film concepts live at the Edinburgh Festival.
Developed through this programme, 1763 was the idea Nicola pitched at the 2024 festival and an idea that went on to win.
The project was commissioned by Random Acts, with funding from Channel 4, and produced in collaboration with BBC Studios.
