In the Summer of 2015, A tragic incident resulted in the premature death of teenager Jack Susianta, who was chased by police through Hackney, eventually into the local canal, where he drowned. He had been suffering from a psychotic episode as a result of taking drugs at a festival with his friends the weekend prior. Not recognising people in his life, including his mum, Jack had run away from home the night before, been admitted into hospital, released and sent home. The following day Jack suffered another break, running away from home and this time not returning.
Jacks death was a complicated but avoidable incident, and since then there has been an inquest into the death and the police’s behaviours. The charity ‘Killed in Custody’ has also taken on Jack’s case amongst hundreds of other young people’s, as they continue to represent the families of those affected. They march each year and support the families who has lost loved ones. There will be footage of this march, as well as hopefully interviews with representatives of this charity and family members of other victims.
The film will be an examination of the case, including interviews with his family and friends. It will also focus largely on the area of the marshes where it happened, with interactive/observational footage shot while walking on the marsh with people who knew Jack and those who saw it happen. It will also hopefully include interviews with the lawyers and individuals who were present at the enquiry. There will be lots of static interviews inside the homes/offices of people who have agreed to participate.
The driving force behind the idea is to resurrect the memory of Jack, of the brutality of the police who were entrusted with his life, and the tragedy that he died in such a symbolic and beautiful place, where him and his friends, myself included, spent many hours. Because I knew Jack personally, and his family, I believe I could do the story justice by retelling it from Jack’s perspective, with a more personal approach and more in depth information about his character and his upbringing. The film therefore would not focus on the tragic day in question, but Jacks’ personality and the urban, natural environment of Hackney Marshes and the Rive Lea. It is always an important time to shine light on the injustices of the police force, a
