Hillsborough writer pens NSPCC film

The brutally honest and gritty, yet inspiring film - Sulphur and White - tells a story of child sexual abuse, and the impact it has on David’s life.

Written by Susie Farrell, from Hillsborough, and directed by BAFTA and Emmy Award nominee Julian Jarrold, the film stars Game of Thrones actor Mark Stanley as David Tait plus Emily Beecham, Dougray Scott and Anna Friel.

Among the 300 guests attending the London premiere, which was held at Curzon cinema in Mayfair on Thursday, February 27, was the NSPCC’s Royal Patron Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex.

David Tait MBE said: “When I was 10 I was abused by a group of men. It took a lot of time for me to come to terms with it and make it public, now my goal is to destigmatise sexual abuse. I’m convinced by removing the stigma people will cope with the problem better than in the past.

“Sulphur and White does three things, teach the world what sexual abuse actually is, show the collateral damage that someone is capable of doing and that there is redemption and a future. Now we have NSPCC and Childline – we have an alternative.

“Hopefully it can encourage people with a hidden past to talk about their own problems and wear them on their sleeve. The film will give an awful lot of people comfort going forward.”

David Tait has been a long-term advocate and supporter of the NSPCC, raising over £1.5 million for the charity by climbing Mount Everest five times. He was awarded an MBE in 2010 by The Queen for his services to children.

He continues to be a significant figure at the charity, speaking personally about his experiences to raise awareness and champion the work of the NSPCC at events the length and breadth of the UK. Some of the proceeds from the film will be donated to the NSPCC to help their fight for every childhood.

The film will also be screened at the QFT in Belfast from March 6 to March 12.