When Carrie and Ava meet, they fall hard and fast. It’s honeymoon period bliss until their world shatters. Carrie is assaulted, and the mere thought of touch sends her body into a panic. Can their love overcome the weight Carrie now holds in her bones? Can she overcome the aftershocks of trauma and be intimate again?
What Is Left Unsaid
Currently in post-production
! CW: SA
Synopsis
Logline: After Carrie is assaulted, her relationship with her partner Ava crumbles. Can their love endure?
When Carrie and Ava meet, they fall hard and fast. It’s honeymoon period bliss until their world shatters. Carrie is assaulted, and the mere thought of touch sends her body into a panic. Can their love overcome the weight Carrie now holds in her bones? Can she overcome the aftershocks of trauma and be intimate again?
What Is Left Unsaid (WILU) delves into the ripple effects of sexual assault, exploring just how far the pain travels - from victims to lovers and families.
The Pitch (TL;DR)
Video version of everything on this page for you visual people.
Creative Team
Writer and Creative Producer - Connor Amor-Bendall
Director - Shay McKendrick
Producer - Danika Ciullo
Director of Photography - Caleb Corlett
Intimacy Coordinator - Ashleigh Waters
1st AD - Alex Walker
Gaffer - Julian Wagner (Starlight NZ)
1st AC - Doug Bagg
2nd AC - Jess Fransham
2nd AC - Kotoe Tozaki
Lighting Assist - Anne-Marie Groves
Sound Mixer and Recordist - David Peterson
Makeup and Hair - Asrita Singh
Editor - Guillaume Arnoulet
Art Director - Milly Bossley Hoyte
Marketing - Junghwi Jo
Poster and Media - Ari Hughes
Sound Design - Jess Penson
Production Coordinator - Imogen Amor-Bendall
Script Supervisor - Meg Robinson
Production Assistants - Molly Curnow / Ray Miller / Sophie Richards / Noah Bunkley
Cast
Connor Amor-Bendall - Carrie
Danika Leigh Ciullo - Ava
Suzy Smith-Roy - Dr Eden Samuels
Harley Neville - Chris Jackman
Ma'aola Faasavala - Lani
Behind the scenes
*We met our minimum funding goal after the shooting of this video. If you would like to donate further so we can pay our amazing cast and crew industry-level rates, please email herstorycollectiveproductions@gmail.com
Why we are making this film
Sexual assault is sadly far too prevalent in Aotearoa, with one in four people experiencing it according to the Ministry of Justice. Yet it is a topic dictated by shame that we still shove under the rug.
Our sincere hope is that What Is Left Unsaid (WILU) will educate our audience, showing them just how far the ripple effects of SA and rape culture travel, whilst also painting a message of hope.
Themes
WILU explores the key themes of trauma, love and hope.
Our story demonstrates just how far the ripple effects of SA travel - when one cruel and random act of assault causes the foundations of an entire relationship to crumble. Trauma is stored in our body, and Carrie's struggle to accept the loving touch of her partner shows the physical manifestation of this.
Yet WILU also celebrates the strength and enduring power of love, as we see Ava chooses to stay by Carrie's side, despite an easy way out enticing her. Whilst Ava's physical and emotional needs aren't met in the wake of Carrie's assault, her faith in their bond and her love for Carrie triumphs.
Which leads us to hope. Ultimately the trauma Carrie experiences will shape her forever, but it doesn't define her. We see that she can overcome what was done to her and that healing is possible - especially with the support of those you love by your side.
Lastly, this film focuses on a queer relationship at the centre. It normalises them. That's just life. [Come at us].
Resources
Te Wāhi Wāhine o Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Women's Centre
Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support Team
Yellow Brick Road | 0800 732 825 | referrals@yellowbrickroad.org.nz
Suzy Smith-Roy (relationship and sex therapist)
