Nick Richardson

A friend comes out as paedophile, how do you react?

I have been considering this over the last few months and I still cannot answer that question. I do not know what I would say, how I would feel. Horror. Confusion. Absolute disgust. Distrust. Perhaps betrayal. Nausea. I would probably want to help them but have absolutely no idea where to start. And whatever I did say would almost certainly be the wrong thing.  

'Bloom' is a short film written and directed by Nick Richardson which tries to make sense of this question. It is his graduating film from the Masters of Film and Television program at the Victorian College of the Arts. The film is produced by Masters of Producing student Ryan O'Gorman. We aim to ignite, and make a meaningful contribution to, discussions surrounding paedophilia and our response to the treatment of offenders. 

'Bloom' is about Lisa, a dedicated but deeply guarded young primary school teacher, who develops an attraction to Billy, an 11 year-old boy in her class. 

This is not a documentary. Neither is it an objective investigation into the forensics of child sex abuse. Paedophilia is an issue which elicits a visceral emotional response and we intend to treat the topic with sensitivity and without judgment. 'Bloom' is inspired by 'Brief Encounter' (1945) and 'All That Heaven Allows' (1955) - films which overwhelm the senses and sweep their audiences into intense romantic fantasies. By placing ourselves in Lisa's head we hope to present an experience of a situation. If our audience can get the end of this film and be challenged to question their response to paedophilia and the treatment of offenders this film will be a success.

We think we have something significant to contribute and we intend to take the finished product to festivals around the world to gain the largest possible audience and elicit the largest possible response.                 

The funds from this campaign will be go towards the camera and sound departments. Filmmaking is an expensive endeavour the hire of cameras, lenses, and personnel can often run in to the many thousands of dollars. We estimate we need about $3000 to cover these costs necessary to achieve our vision. 

In the unlikely event we have any leftover funds, the money raised from this campaign will go to the distribution budget which will ensure the film can be sent to festivals and gain an audience. 

As with any film dealing with delicate subject matter it takes a sensitive touch to ensure the film is made the 'right' way. We are dedicated to making sure that we do justice to the film and the issues it raises. That means bringing on the right personnel and having serious discussions with everybody involved so it is clear what the film is about, what we are trying to say with it, and why we are trying to say it.