WHY DID I WANT TO TELL THIS STORY?

THE SHORT ANSWER - IT’S A STORY THAT I AND UNFOTUNATELY MANY WOMEN RELATE TO. WISE WORDS WERE ONCE SPOKEN TO ME IN REGARDS TO SCREENWRITING “NONE OF IT HAPPENED, BUT IT’S ALL TRUE.” THE PATH TO WOMANHOOD IS OFTEN BLOODY AND PAINFUL, YOUNG GIRLS ARE FORCED TO GROW UP FAR SOONER BECAUSE OUR BODIES ARE NOT OUR OWN. 17 IS AN AGE WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ON THE CUSP OF ADULTHOOD AND THE ADULTIFCATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY WOMAN, HAPPENS WITHOUT OUR CONSENT. KALIA IS STEPPING INTO A WORLD THAT’S UNFAMAILAR TO HER AND WE COULD ARGUE SHE MAKES ALL THE WRONG CHOICES DURING THE FILM. I WANTED TO TELL A STORY THAT FELT RAW AND UNFLICHING IN HOPES OF HIGHLIGHTING THE INJUSTICE FEMME PEOPLE EXPERIENCE GROWING UP.

HOW DID I SAFEGUARD OUR CAST AND CREW?

DURING THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION OF 17 WE WORKED WITH A WONDERFUL AND COMPASSIONATE INTIMACY COORDINATOR - TIGGER BLAIZE - WHO WORKED WITH THE CAST AND CREW TO CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERYONE ON SET.

WHY SHOW A GRAPHIC SCENE?

I DESCRIBE THIS FILM AS UNFLICHING BECAUSE AS GRAPHIC AND UNCOMFORTABLE IT IS, IT HAPPENS. MANY THINK THEY KNOW WHAT SEXUAL ASSUALT LOOKS LIKE, BUT IT’S NOT ALL DARK ALLEYWAYS AND STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT. 17 SHOWS THE REALITIES OF SEXUAL ASSUALT.

WHAT DO I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW AFTER WATCHIG THIS FILM?

WHAT HAPPENS TO KALIA IS NOT RAPE. CURRENTLY IN ENGLAND THE LAWS ON SEXUAL ASSUALT INCUR A MUCH LESSER SENTENCE DESPITE BEING EQUALLY VIOLATING. THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE.