Real-life problems that young people face are explored in Writer/Director Amani Simpson’s debut Save Me…
It follows teenagers Fiona (15) who finds herself in several unsafe situations (an abusive home is one example) and Dean (13) who is grieving the loss of his mum. The pair meet after Dean is being bullied in the park and strike up an unusual friendship.
As days go on, Fiona’s adult boyfriend manipulates her into setting up Dean to join his county-line gangs. But on the way to the trap house, unbeknownst to the pair, their Uber driver Khaled notices little warning signs and intervenes before it’s too late.
We spoke to Amaini about the process of making the film, his team and the impact he hopes it will make on young people …
Please introduce yourself …
My name is Amani Simpson, I’m an award-winning youth coach and filmmaker. I was born and raised in Enfield, North London and my heritage is Jamaican (bap bap bap!).
Describe your life right now in a word or one sentence …
Purposeful.
Tell us about your latest project Save Me.
Save Me is my writer/ director debut. It’s a social impact short film following two teenagers, connected through trauma, who embark on a taxi journey in search of freedom. Our film and accompanying digital handbook will be released nationally on 6th July 2023 for screenings, workshops and training with distribution partners including The Home Office, NSPCC, The Prince’s Trust, TFL and The Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit.
With stellar performances and a noteworthy cast including popular YouTuber and TikToker, Asmxlls and rapper Litty Lightz (Nines’ Crop Circle film), our film explores some of the heartbreaking realities that many vulnerable children face, whilst offering hope that each of us can improve outcomes for them with a community mindset.
What’s your role in it?
I was the writer, director and executive producer.
How did it come about? And how did you get the film to be used as a digital training tool in schools across the UK?
Back in 2019, I was part of a pilot project called ‘Safer Families Towards Safer Transitions‘ led by Enfield Council. To create a legacy, the plan was to produce a digital tool that could continue to raise awareness of contextualised safeguarding, which is an approach to understanding and responding to children’s experiences of significant harm beyond their family and home. I pitched the vision for a short film and worked with some young people from Craig Park Youth Club in Edmonton to capture authentic perspectives.
Over the last three years, myself and colleagues (big up Dionne!) have collaborated to produce a high-quality film and resource that we believe will make a lasting impact in both community and storytelling spaces. As we begin partnering with influential government and youth agencies, we are excited to see how this film can influence change and conversation on a local and national level.
Highs, lows, solutions (tell us the high points, any obstacles to getting the project completed and how you resolved the obstacles)
One of the biggest hurdles of the project was navigating the anxiety that the pandemic posed, especially not knowing if a lead or head of department would catch COVID-19 in the middle of our shoot! But on a personal note, I remember there was a moment on set where we were running significantly overtime and it was becoming apparent that we were not going to be able to capture key scenes on the allocated day. Having never experienced that situation before, I remember feeling very overwhelmed and needing to take a moment to reflect alone. I was blessed to have my more experienced executive producer and long-time brother, Ola Christian (CEO of Levile) on set to encourage me and help me shift my mindset so I could focus on the solutions.
What’s your current plan B?
My mindset is always to “reflect, feel the emotion, pivot and go again” but now that I’m a father, I also must make sure I’m considering the needs of my family with each decision. I guess I would go back to the property industry, but this time working for a reputable agency/firm. That’s because, during my 20s, I was an in-demand letting agent, growing my own property consultancy service from my bedroom to a high street operation. And as the saying goes “everyone needs a place to live” right!?!
What’s made you Sad, Mad, Glad this week?
SAD — Watching Soccer Aid and seeing children around the world living in unspeakable poverty
through no fault of their own.
MAD — Nothing really gets me riled up like that these days you know. I’ve learnt how to protect my
peace!
GLAD — Watching my newborn daughter reach out and grab her feet for the first time, she’s now fascinated and plays with them anytime she gets a chance!
What are you watching right now?
Dear Mama, the documentary about Tupac Shakur.
What are you reading right now?
An endless stream of emails (rolls eyes), but on a serious note I’m slowly listening to ‘Leaders Eat
Last by Simon Sinek
What are you listening to right now?
Avelino’s debut album God Save The Streets
The last thing you saw on stage?
A one-man play called Dropped by Alfie Cain (who plays Damian in Save Me) about the trials and tribulations of pursuing a football career.
What’s on your bucket list?
Travelling to Africa – specifically, Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya.
Celebrate someone else (who do you rate right now?)
I will always use any opportunity I can to big up my wife! We were teenage sweethearts, so I would not be where I am now without her support and refinement. And now we’re parents I’m so proud of the woman she has evolved into.
Celebrate yourself … (make us proud of you)
My first short film, Amani, which tells part of my story and stars Joivan Wade (DC Comics’ Doom Patrol, Bel Air), is just under 30 thousand away from 4 million views on YouTube! I’m proud of myself for being obedient to the calling I received and now seeing firsthand how my story is being used to transform mindsets.
Who’s footsteps are you following in?
As a Child of God, I’m always seeking to be more nurturing, diligent and influential by following the servant leadership example that Jesus set.
What’s Next?
My two goals for the rest of this year are to secure an agent/manager to help me navigate the exciting prospects on my horizon, and to release the productivity app for young people that I’ve been working on for the last 3 years.
Where can we watch Save Me?
Save Me will be released online on Million Youth Media (Youtube) on Thursday, 6th July.