‘Sophie’s Story’ wins an award

Sophie's Story won an award at the International Family Film Festival in Los Angeles this year.

Launched in November 2006

Minister of Education Hon. Steve Maharey was at the Manukau Council on 29^th November to launch Sophie’s Story, a 20-minute drama for young people about the dangers of P (or metamphetamine). Other speakers at this well-attended first screening included Sir Barry Curtis, the Mayor of Manukau City, and Greg O’Connor, President of the NZ Police Association.

Sophie’s Story, produced by Point of View Productions, has grown out of a remarkable community initiative involving a wide range of organizations worried about the growing influence of the drug P. The project received initial support from the Papatoetoe Neighbourhood Support Trust and the NZ Police Association. It was initiated by Jean Robinson of the Trust and Sergeant Nigel Roe of the Counties Manukau Police District. With the help of Mayor Curtis, 16 other sponsors were added.

Shirley Horrocks, director and producer of Sophie’s Story, said at the launch: “Point of View has a special interest in health education for young people, and one of the things that research has shown us very clearly is that young people do not respond to a ‘big stick’ approach or to being preached at. The best way to reach them is to have a strong story to tell, and to dramatise it in ways they find relevant.’

This challenge was met by script-writer Dianne Taylor, and a strong production team (including director of photography Leon Narbey), and committed actors (such as Xavier Horan as Alex and Troy Garten as Sophie).         

The DVD is now being made available to high schools and community groups throughout New Zealand. It is accompanied by a 28-page ‘study guide’ that includes general background information and detailed lesson plans for Health Education, Media Studies and English. 

The first screening received nationwide publicity on November 29-30, including news stories in the NZ Herald, on National Radio, and as one of the lead items on One Network News. A few of the comments:   

‘“DVD Warning to Teenagers”: An educational reality-type docudrama showing a young man’s descent into full-blown P abuse is about to hit secondary schools. Told through the eyes of a teenage girl, Sophie’s Story is a harrowing account of the effects P has on families and youth. Police Association Vice President, Richard Middleton, said Sophie’s Story was “absolutely timely.”’  (NZ Herald, 30 November 2006) 

‘More teens are getting hooked on the drug. [Sophie’s Story] isn’t a true story but it might as well be. It’s hoped the hard-hitting tale will educate teens about just how dangerous it can be.’  (TV One News, 29 November 2006)

‘A high-quality DVD and companion study guide… an excellent aid in sensible drug education for our young people’ (Greg O’Connor, President, NZ Police Association, 29 November 2006)

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