Our reporter HOLLIE SMITH joined the audience for the premiere of Salford director Nicola Stead’s film 1763 – made to empower victims of domestic abuse.
The large room was dimly lit, creating an intimate atmosphere as dusk fell and the audience gathered knowing we were about to experience a powerful and moving film 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 at Versa Studios.
The film was narrated by its Salford director Nicola Stead, 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. It was unapologetically authentic, raw and sometimes uncomfortable to watch.
The room was still and focused. A tear fell from the cheek of the lady sitting to my left.
In the short film 1763, Nicola’s story begins with a pregnancy scan, where she is told she is expecting 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 uses shadow 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. It took her 1,763 days from leaving her abuser to receive justice, inspiring the 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 says her children were her motivation to leave her abuser.
She is extremely empowering to young women all over the UK, at a time when violence against women is at an all-time high. Her strength and persistence led to her case being reopened after multiple failures, failures which contribute to more than 70% of domestic abuse cases being closed without investigation.
After the film had ended, people huddled around her. One described her as “Wonder Woman”.
Actor Debbie Brannan also spoke about the significance of the film.
Greater Manchester Police issued a statement of support for the film.
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 February 20 at 12.05am. It will also be available to watch on 4OD and Channel 4 Random Acts YouTube.
Nicola Stead wrote, directed and produced the film after her winning Channel 4’s Ones to Watch talent development initiative in 2024, where creatives pitch short film concepts live at the Edinburgh Festival. The project was commissioned by Random Acts, with funding from Channel 4, and produced in collaboration with BBC Studios.
