UNKLE

[judecalverttoulmin]

johartley said:

You will also never meet such characters in normal life.

there is an organisation called CROP, (coalition for removal of pimping) at www.crop1.org.uk/ which was founded by irene ivison, whose 17 year old daughter fiona was murdered by a punter in 1993. many of the girls do come from "normal" lives but are targeted and groomed in a systematic manner. there is a huge underground sex trafficing problem of english girls from all walks of life going on in england. the police can do nothing unless the girls, many of them underage, complain. but girls who are have been systematically beaten, gang raped and have already been introduced to various drugs are too brainwashed and terrified to complain. ive already arranged to go to leeds in march to attend a campaign meeting with other CROP members.

i had no idea this was the subject of unkle's next video. if it is dealt with sensitively and brings the matter further to public attention then that will be a good thing...

i actually came on this thread to apologise for not having written something and posted the photos i took back in december of gavin and unkle....a couple of people have mailed to ask when to expect it and i was hoping to do it tomorrow...

[johartley]

Hi,

Thanks for the post......

The opportunity for me to do this music vid, came from the director winning a competition for FILMAKA, so at the moment its NOT the official video, there will be 2 made. One animation and the one i am appearing in. However it will be seen, as the idea has been chosen by James (UNKLE) and the music co. It was chosen from 140 entries.

When i read the treatment i was really drawn to it, and the subject. It was inspired by real events too.

The rushes look realistic. I met and worked with about 6 girls in all. They actually thought i was a prostitute, it was difficult to get them to believe and trust me at first, most of them were high or extreamly aggitated, due to gear, stress, nerves, police or regular punters.

Some were on methadone and some still on heroin. All drank Kestral Super, of which i did too and was pissed after one can, they have about 9 or ten just to numb themselves to work.

I think it was the hardest 3 day shoot ive done so far, emotionally & physically. I had to tread carefully and be very respectful in finding out the truth from the girls. But i was honest. It was difficult to get a long span of attention from most of them, but the director had met them weeks before and worked with them and an organisation. She had been up to Nottingham to research too. I got introduced to the girls when we started to work on the backstory for Lisa - my character. I actually got on really well with most of them.

As its a music video, im not sure what people will take from it, there will be an interview, hopefully at the end with a real street girl with HIV, if we find one willing to do it. Its a visual film with no diologue, that in itself depending on the edit, will show the darkness and the difficulties/emotion my character goes through. It features all the real girls. There was no exploitation.

Ive made friends with one of the girls Julie who is the main character in the 2nd short film we made - a documentary on the making of the music vid. She is amazing. Been with her partner 20 yrs, 8 kids and 5 gran kids, she is off the gear and still working, she knows nothing else. Her parents abused her when she was born until she knew better.

The director however has made this documentary lighter. Julie did not want to focus on the deep/dark life of..., its her taking me under her wing, showing me the ropes. We had amazing chemistry and she was a natural. She really really enjoyed it. Such a laugh.

I know the director is still and will in the future be volunteering to work with the girls, its affected her alot, she got very upset and drained at times, she spent alot of time with them, but also inspired.

James Lavelle attended the edit the other eve and gave positive feedback about the footage, they want it as realistic as poss.... so i hope we get the message across genuinly. I know i did my best to be real and true to the story.

j x

[judecalverttoulmin]

johartley said:

Hi,

Thanks for the post......

no problem. thanks for your informative and enlightening reply jo. as this is a subject ive already been researching in depth i make no apologies for the fact that i find it almost impossible to view it dispassionately, however for any progress to be made then all involved have to be methodical and practical...there are a lot of women, and mothers, involved in campaigning for changes in the law. the more women involved in this, whether it be artistically or organisationally, the better, but the focus has to start shifting to tackling the root cause which is the organised gangs of men who groom the girls in the first place.

there is still an astonishing level of misunderstanding of the subject in our society. there is more shame associated with a woman being a prostitute than with a man using prostitutes, right across every sector of society, even though nearly every prostitute is coerced, groomed and terrorised into prostitution, whereas no man is terrorised into using prostitutes. fighting to change this is going to be a long, hard struggle. the suffragettes were only a hundred years ago...and we still live in a patriarchal society where women are too easily unfairly blamed and scapegoated for many things, both in everyday life and by our inept and archaic justice system (no, im not a misanthropist.)

i do have more to say in reply to you which i'll do tomorrow as im supposed to have switched my head off for the evening, which, um, im not doing am i? but i should, now...

johartley said:

James Lavelle attended the edit the other eve and gave positive feedback about the footage,

mmm. he's a bright bloke.

thanks again for the long post.

j x

[judecalverttoulmin]

jo - ive just realised that you worked on this is england...i dont know who anyone is on this site really as i try to keep off forums nowadays anyway, congratulations on the BAFTA, its a total triumph for all involved

and re the gavin clark/UNKLE article, ive just done 5 hours on it and my OH is appealing to me to down tools and continue tomorrow as its sunday and ive turned into a workaholic.

as i thought this article is a 2 day full on job so im postponing tomorrow's schedule to finish the article tomorrow. there's a lot of photographs and a lot of research involved.

but back to the grisly subject matter at hand.....further to yesterday, i wanted to post this from the CROP site; the three stages of grooming. the more people are aware of how this system works, the better. these girls are all someone's daughter.

from the CROP site:

Sexual Exploitation

As stated on the home page CROP is dedicated to combatting sexual exploitation in all its forms. In particular it looks at the role of pimps and traffickers (most commonly older men) in controlling and exploiting victims (usually young girls). Our research shows that there is a recognisable sequence of phases in grooming girls for exploitation.

Initial contact is often made in public places such as at school, in shopping malls, entertainment arcades, cinemas, bus or train stations, but may also be through the internet. Even if the initial contact is of her own age, the girl may be passed on to an older ‘friend’ who flatters her with gifts, attractive outings and extravagant promises. She is gradually inveigled into truanting from school, becoming secretive, returning home late and spending increasingly shorter times with her family as well as being introduced to alcohol and drugs.

In the second phase of grooming and exploitation, the friendly association turns into an exchange of favours. Sexual responses are sought as a means to pay back the money spent on cigarettes, drinks, drugs, lifts in cars and mobile phones. As exploitation increases so she is alienated from her family and other support systems such as friends and teachers. She may comply with the perpetrator’s demands out of fear for her own and her family’s safety.

In the third phase, the pimp completely controls the girl’s life. As far as possible he severs her relationships with her family and any other friends or support systems. Threats are made about her own and her family’s safety if she does not comply with the wishes of the pimp. It is very difficult for the girl to break out of this situation of control and dependence, especially as she may by then be addicted to drugs.

[judecalverttoulmin]

ok ive finished the article and posted it. you can get to my blog by clicking the link in my sig, but in case youre reading this in a few weeks time when new blog entries are on the home page, the direct link to the article is here:

judecalverttoulmin.blogspot.com/2008/02/unkle-war-stories-tour-plus-war-crimes.html

not much about gavin folks, i wasnt there as a journalist, i was given access to take pics, not report back on things that were said. so in the blog ive diverged off into discussing the UNKLE video for restless and the things we've been discussing on this thread.

there are more pictures which i didnt include in the blog, including some more of gavin, which ive put on a photo album in facebook (click link in my signature.)

if anyone knows the names of the UNKLE members not referenced on the individual pics, i'd be really grateful to know, then i can invite them and tag them so they can share the pics.

jo - thanks for the heads up about the making of the video, ive included some details in my article, i hope thats ok.

[Lord Thribb of Hubris OBE]

UNKLE in Nottingham 2007

[johartley]

Hi Jude,

Thanks for yr replies... i did go on a bit in my post. Its interesting to hear back from someone who completley understands and is trying to bring awareness to this situation.

The girls i met did not have pimps, they worked for themselves and looked after each other. They are all friends in the area. Therefore, it is probably more dangerous, as they have no-one looking after them but each other. I never did too much research on the trafficing side of things although i watched, sex on the streets a documentary about street prostitution in nottingham. That discussed trafficing and it was horrific.

There were christian organisations coming round giving the girls condoms and tea/coffee/biscuits, they were young girls, lovely people. Keeping their eye on the girls.

It IS really bad that the woman get slagged and not the dirty critters that approach them. Its so wrong. The police do not even look for the missing girls straight away, as they are 'JUST prostitute's' as one girl informed me.

Id like you to send me a personnal message of any organisations, Anastasia (the director) could volunteer to help out at or work with, she really wants to persue this.

As for me, it has educated me on many levels and i will do what i can when possible in the future. We have planned to meet the girls again and it really did make them feel positive that there were still genuine people out there that wanted to be/work with them.

I did some ADR on the vid last nite, they said it is looking good. Two of the girls they met yesterday for the interview on HIV said they knew me from back in the day, at kings cross (bit worried about that??) hehe. They couldn't believe i was an actress, and not really a street girl. Not sure if thats a compliment, as i look horrendous! ;(

So lets hope it makes a mark, id love to play a character like Lisa in a movie/documentary in the future, it really meant alot to me and id like to try to make a difference. Get people to understand the sadness and darkness of this life.

Cheers again Jude.

ps.... i was in dead man's shoes too, i played the little boys mum at the end.

All the best.

Jo

pps.... ill keep you informed as the video is finalised, its early stages at mo and im not even sure where it will be aired. MTV hopefully and at the FILMAKA screenings.

[johartley]

Ive seen the video, ill let you all know when i can post it on the site.Ill get it to Dave. Early days yet.

Its bleak, not sure how MTV friendly, but will see. Im happy with it...

The record co. are happy too ive heard, its docu style. The director Anna has done a good job, considering the subject.

j

[judecalverttoulmin]

thanks jo, i'll pm you with more details and post some links on here as well - not been back here for a couple of days as knee deep in assembling my query packages for agents (booooring office work)

johartley said:

It IS really bad that the woman get slagged and not the dirty critters that approach them. Its so wrong.

its happened for millenia though due to the fact we live in patriarchal societies. men make rules and curveball morality to suit men, so prostitutes are "dirty hoo-ers" and the men who use prostitutes are
free as a bird both legally and by dint of their intact reputations.

change is going to take a long time but its difficult, because that fifteen - twenty year period when the woman is at home nurturing her children (which, in my humble opinion, women should do) puts her way way behind men career and influence wise when she stumbles back into the big wide world again once her children have flown the nest.

johartley said:

Two of the girls they met yesterday for the interview on HIV said they knew me from back in the day, at kings cross (bit worried about that??)

i used to hang round with a couple of gals who lived in that big victorian block on grays inn rd at kings cross. that was waaaay back in the early 80s though! its nice the girls remembered you

johartley said:

ps.... i was in dead man's shoes too, i played the little boys mum at the end.

cool i didnt know, thanks one of my all time favourite films. paddy considine has got the same malevolent and unpredictable stillness as james gandolfini playing tony soprano. not an easy feat to achieve! im going through the entire 6 series of the sopranos atm, one episode a day to accompany my work out (because i LOATHE keeping fit and working out so it takes my mind off it!)

i'll be back with some links as soon as i can...

[johartley]

Hiya Jude,

I think you misunderstood one of my quotes on an earlier thread, when i read it back, it does read as if i had known the girls at Kings Cross and i never.

What i was trying to say is the girls i met said i looked so realistic as a street prostitute, they swore they knew me from back in the day... but obviously ive never been to Kings Cross, it was a compliment to the make up and costume lady on set, as i really looked authentic.

Its also something i conciously wanted to get across in my performance, as it is a very delicate topic - the realism of the situation was important to me as a human being, never mind as an actor or storyteller, so i just completley went for it, full throttle.

The girls did not believe i was an actress, as i looked and behaved so like a heroin addict street girl.

At times whilst filming, i was that cold and tired and dirty, that i actually felt really low and lost. I was furious. Its was very hard work, draining. Punters on the street actually asked me for sex several time. They were nicely dressed respectable grandadads too, they never knew we were filming as the DOP etc.. was across the street... scary! I looked a mess, i don't know what they were thinking of. All i know is it was a complete education into the lives of others!

[judecalverttoulmin]

johartley said:

Hiya Jude,

I think you misunderstood one of my quotes on an earlier thread, when i read it back, it does read as if i had known the girls at Kings Cross and i never.

What i was trying to say is the girls i met said i looked so realistic as a street prostitute, they swore they knew me from back in the day... but obviously ive never been to Kings Cross, it was a compliment to the make up and costume lady on set, as i really looked authentic.

i did misunderstand it, yes. i thought you meant that they'd remembered you from just living in the area, not working there though!

johartley said:

Punters on the street actually asked me for sex several time.

hmmm. that must have been extremely disconcerting, but certainly an experience. i do believe that as an artist one's best work comes from going to dark places inside oneself though, and it does sound, like you say, that you just went for it, so congratulations. i can tell from everything you say it wasnt easy.

johartley said:

They were nicely dressed respectable grandadads too,

im always suspicious when supposedly respectable men start vilifying prostitutes....a case of the lady protesteth too much....

johartley said:

So lets hope it makes a mark, id love to play a character like Lisa in a movie/documentary in the future, it really meant alot to me and id like to try to make a difference. Get people to understand the sadness and darkness of this life.

too often its portrayed from the mans point of view. id like to see a film dealing with the subject from the women's point of view. if this is what you want to do in the future, jo, tell your agent to look out for any suitable projects because you've already got some experience under your belt now at playing such a dark role.

funnily enough, the main film acting role ive had was playing the double role of a glamorous blonde high class "call girl" and a shy brunette waitress who turn out to be the same person. i was only 19 when i did this and remember feeling very vulnerable and naive...vulnerability was the main characteristic i brought to the role and was the main feeling i was left with afterwards. although i think the film is a work of genius (as ive said many times on my blog, i believe lynch's mulholland drive is partly inspired by it, there are even exact copycat shots) i was left, personally, feeling very uneasy afterwards. the film is called johnny yesno with a soundtrack by the legendary sheff band cabaret voltaire, and is being released on DVD shortly so ive been told by richard kirk of the cabs. anyway back to the subject matter at hand...

here are a few links as i promised:

CROP is "a voluntary organisation working to end the sexual exploitation of children and young people by pimps and traffickers" and can be found here:
www.crop1.org.uk/

WOMENS AID "is the key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children. We support a network of over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the UK." and it can be found here:

www.womensaid.org.uk/

prostitution is considered to be a form of domestic violence and womens aid are a good starting point for people seeking advice and help, and for prostitutes seeking to embark on an exit strategy.

for those living in manchester, MASH "aims to work with female sex workers to promote sexual health, well being and personal safety whilst offering choice, support and empowerment to promote individual and positive life changes."

and can be found here:

www.mash.org.uk/

on the following page from the womens aid site are a list of links to sites that expressly deal with trafficking:

tinyurl.com/2h4gxw

[judecalverttoulmin]

...i forgot to say...CROP are holding a network day on saturday, 15th march at hinsley hall, 62 headingley lane, leeds. hinsley hall is a peaceful old convent apparently.

to reserve a place email [e-mail]

i will be attending so if anyone is going dont hesitate to contact me.


...you know...james lavelle said this in an interview:

"But it’s not just about rock ‘n’ roll and drugs any more. It’s about the creative process and where that leads me."

i think it is terrific that through this forum, and through gavin clark, and through unkle, this vital subject is being discussed openly...a strange place for the creative process to lead...but a good one.

[johartley]

Wow, cheers for yr feedback and interest. We need a little more time to re-arrange the edit. One cut is done, but she will do her own at a later date, we had 3 days to finalise it and its really not enough time. The record co. in usa and here love it and so does James but there are changes needed to be done with the end, nearly there though, im proud. Many people who have seen it, said its so realistic. My agent called me today to congratulate me, i was touched.

The second films footage is hilarious, its ended up being so funny, you cant help but laugh at the prostitute who stars in it - Julie, a natural.

Im off to see the band in London on sat, last show of the tour i think, so ill meet James and will be nice to see Gavin perform again, amazing track he has done with them. Lookin forward to it. In fact i bumped into Gavin in Euston a few months back and he was touring with them, weird small world.

Cheers for all the info Jude and let me know where i can get a copy of yr film, id like to watch it.

Jo x

[PatrickCoyle]

Gawd, you women don't half rabbit on.

Messin'!

[johartley]

hehe,... i know, bloody turned into war and peace debate, however its been nice to get a serious response and get people involved... it is such a terrible thing, you dont know until you have met and worked with these girls.

bloody gas bags in it.... PCoyle.!

x