No Comprendo

'No Comprendo', translating to "I don't understand", is an authored documentary regarding the experiences of individuals and their stories within the justice system. We focus particularly on the language used in court and how the quality of communication has affected those convicted and their understandings.

On one side, there are white, privately educated, privileged male, and a select few women, with generations of an established presence in the UK. On the other hand, there are people from an ethnic minority community in Britain, publicly educated and mostly raised by single working-class mothers, whose parents more than likely migrated to the UK - all embroiled in the criminal justice system.

Directors Statement

I am passionate about telling this story because I went through the criminal justice system from 14 years old and I received a custody sentence from as young as 16. I remember being scared and confused, I did not understand what was said in court and I did not feel like I had a right to speak. I believe people need to understand what they are going through when they enter the justice system; it is easy for a person, especially children and young people, to acquiesce under the weight of legal proceedings and for members of the law to then misuse its power over them in pursuit of their aims. My saving grace was the support I received from keyworkers in a charity, who later encouraged me to tell untold and hidden stories I had access to. Stories about people with problems and experiences that could affect anybody.

Building a rapport with people who have different points of view about communication in the justice system was an important element of the documentary, and one that I found very interesting. I secured participation from legal experts and professionals who are members of the judiciary to investigate the scale of the problem and, on the other side, young men who are currently in prison and feel they were not given fair access to justice leading to them being incarceration.

Andrew Stewart is Shane Lyon’s solicitor, along with Eloise (Shane’s mother), we will document their experience of a trial that took place at the Old Bailey in November 2019 to understand how the justice system overlooked Shane’s needs and the stakes against him. Andrew Stewart says Shane was sent to jail for being in a gang. This documentary will show how miscommunication in the justice system leads to many problems, like people being in jail when they shouldn’t be. “I saw that the camera could be a weapon against poverty, against racism, against all sorts of social wrongs. I knew at that point I had to have a camera” – Gordon Parks

The intention for No Comprendo would be to inspire dialogue that will facilitate change and get people to talk about the language and culture that causes miscommunication in the criminal justice system. With access to the Barristers Chambers at the Inner Temples, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy, Intermediaries for Justice and Prison Reform Trust, the aim is to have a presenter-led approach for greater impact.

Content Notices: Criminalisation, racism

Credits

Bukola Bakinson - Director
Claudia Botton - Producer

Contributors:
Eloise Taylor
Shane Lyons
Andrew Stewart
Stephen Akinsanya
Catherine O'Neil
Paula Backen

Crew:
Hayden Rountree - DOP
Meryem Dabanli - 2nd DOP 
Isaiah Nimako - Sound Engineer
Teni Ayankoya - Camera Operator
Angel Getchell - Production Assistant
Darren J Benjamin - Music Composer
Juanita Apanari and Rebecca Gin - Editor
Aaron Archie - Animator
StockStop – Colourist