INNOCENCE was inspired by the writer/director Ben Reid's younger brother, Tom, who has Down syndrome.
The brothers share a deep love of the crime genre. However, the more crime films Tom and Ben watched, the more Tom became aware that the heroes in these films never looked like him. Neither did the villains (and Tom loves a villain). When they did occasionally see a character with Down syndrome, they were often the victim - poor souls, wrongly accused. Never the lead protagonist, choosing their own destiny, rather than having it foisted upon them.
This drove Ben to make INNOCENCE, giving his brother the character he's always been denied and shining a light on the fact people with Down syndrome are more capable and intelligent than most people believe.
The brothers share a deep love of the crime genre. However, the more crime films Tom and Ben watched, the more Tom became aware that the heroes in these films never looked like him. Neither did the villains (and Tom loves a villain). When they did occasionally see a character with Down syndrome, they were often the victim - poor souls, wrongly accused. Never the lead protagonist, choosing their own destiny, rather than having it foisted upon them.
This drove Ben to make INNOCENCE, giving his brother the character he's always been denied and shining a light on the fact people with Down syndrome are more capable and intelligent than most people believe.
Tommy Jessop is the first actor with Down syndrome to be selected for the prestigious BAFTA Elevate programme, supporting actors from underrepresented groups.