Audience’s 'stunning' verdict on Think, Don’t Swim film

The audience was left shocked – and some were even moved to tears – as the Think Don’t Swim film was screened for the first time yesterday at the City Screen cinema, close to where Richard Horrocks, 21, drowned after jumping into the water from a balcony in June.

Think, Don’t Swim campaign film>>

Dozens of people, including fire, police, university representatives and also actors and others involved in the making of the seven-minute film by Christopher David, of York-based Flash Frame Productions, came to the premiere and the unanimous verdict afterwards was that the film will do what it set out to do – deter people from jumping into the city’s rivers in a “moment of madness”.

The film features a fictional dramatisation about a young man who goes skinny dipping in the River Ouse with tragic consequences.

There are also interviews with Richard’s mother Vicki and his sister Abbi. Former York coroners officer and Tory councillor Ian Gillies, who was also interviewed, described the film as “very emotive”, adding: “The silence at the end was worth a thousand words.”

Lead actors Cary Galia and Michelle Cousins both said the film was “extremely powerful.”

Cary said: “It was as brutal and honest as it needed to be. It got inside me massively and I hope it will to others too.” Michelle said: “The film has done the campaign justice. It is exactly what it needs to get the message across.”

Steve Fila, director of technical services at Commercial Diving and Marine Services, where some of the film was shot, said: “It was very, very moving; very emotional.”

Philip Taylor, of the Co-operative Funeralcare, whose Bishophill premises were used in the film, said: “It is perfect. It puts across the loss, the waste and the tragedy.”

Council Lib Dem group leader Coun Carol Runciman said: “It was a very powerful film”.

Labour council leader James Alexander said said the film conveyed the message about river safety in an easily accessible way, particularly for young people.

“The scenes involving Richard Horrocks' family are particularly moving,” he said.

Vicki Horrocks thanked everyone involved in the campaign on behalf of her family, adding: “If this saves just one life and prevents another family going through what ours has, it will have been worthwhile.”