SWALLOW –  FREE CANTERBURY SCREENING OF A SOCIALLY SIGNIFICANT FILM

Film by christopherjamesstone

by

Julie Wassmer and Kat Philippou-Curtis

Kent filmmaker Kat Philippou-Curtis is holding a complimentary screening of her new short film Swallow, based on her own experiences of mistreatment as a lecturer of film in a sixth form college. 

The event takes place on Sunday 22 March, 11:00 am at the Gulbenkian Cinema on the campus of the University of Kent and you can book free tickets on the link given below – but act fast to avoid disappointment. 

The intention of the film is to give a voice to those teachers who have been abused and silenced by fear or institutional pressure. Swallow is based on Kat’s personal experience of sustained mistreatment while working as a part-time lecturer. Like countless teachers she was falsely accused by her own managers, was subject to escalating abuse, fraud, gaslighting, bullying, biased disciplinary and a general toxic leadership culture. She spent months while on sick leave trying to prove her innocence and when she finally did so, senior leaders offered her compensation and a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to shut her up. 

She refused both and instead, poured her heart, soul and savings into making Swallow as a form of justice – not just for herself but for the thousands of teachers out there who have been through similar and worse.  Kat says “Institutional silencing through NDAs is haemorrhaging experienced staff. The level of abuse teachers receive is nothing but a national scandal; an overlooked crisis that simply can’t go on any longer.”

Kat Philippou-Curtis with Cathy Tyson

The film stars BAFTA-winner and Golden Globe nominee Cathy Tyson, whose emotionally rich performance captures the psychological toll of working in education.

The 23min film will be followed by a short documentary of The Making of Swallow with stats, Behind the Scenes material and interviews.  Following this, there will be a short Q&A between the filmmaker,  Cathy Tyson, and two advocates who run a support group of 180,000 struggling teachers. 

While the event is rooted in Canterbury, Kent, the issues it raises speak to a national education emergency, with teacher retention at breaking point. 

Netflix producer Foz Allan (Treason, Hostage) says :

“Swallow throws bright light as disinfectant on the hugely unrecognised epidemic of teacher abuse in classrooms and meeting rooms. Kat has created a story that at times takes your breath away with its portrayal of inhumanity in schools.”

The producers have also launched a Crowdfunding campaign to secure professional PR, marketing, festival submissions, outreach, and distribution support, so that the film can be seen in the largest platforms and reach wider audiences and policymakers.

To access trailers, media, and the Crowdfunding link visit: www.swallow.film

To book your complimentary seats for the screening simply click the link below.

Register on Eventbrite

Join us for this unique and important event!

About:

Kat Philippou-Curtis is a Writer/Director of two feature films, theatre plays, shorts and documentaries. Recipient of multiple international awards, her films have premiered at Bafta & Oscar Qualifying Festivals. Her multimedia play The Libertines, based on Ray Bradbury’s story the Veldt was produced and shown at the Marlowe Theatre.

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