Join our special charity screening premiere of Big Boys Don’t Cry
Screenbound Pictures will be premiering feature film Big Boys Don’t Cry at the Everyman Chelmsford on Monday 5th September helping to raise funds for the charity Kids Inspire. The screening will be followed by a special Q&A hosted by Paula Ashfield, Head of Fundraising & Communications at Kids Inspire, where she will be joined by author and inspiration behind the film Paul Connolly, chief executive and clinical director of Kids Inspire Sue Bell OBE, Olivier award-winning actress and Patron of the charity Ruthie Henshall and the film’s executive producer Richard Hart.
Following Paul Connolly’s harrowing yet inspirational true life story, having grown up in the notorious St Leonard’s Children’s Home in Hornchurch in the 1970s, Big Boys Don’t Cry sees Paul, played by Michael Socha, recall his traumatic childhood at the home following a police investigation into his boyhood friend's suicide. As Paul struggles to build a relationship with Anthea (Zoë Tapper), he is forced to confront those responsible for his shattered childhood and the death of his friend.
Many others suffered various forms of abuse by the home’s staff and the housemaster, Bill Starling, was eventually jailed in 2001 for 14 years for the horrific crimes he committed.
Big Boys Don’t Cry is a story of perseverance in adversity, something we can recognise in our own young people who use our services. Our CEO and Clinical Director Sue Bell OBE had the following to say about the screening and film partnership:
“Paul Connolly’s story is one of hope. After experiencing years of extreme abuse at St Leonard’s children’s home in Essex, followed by years of gang-related violence in London, he turned his life around. Despite leaving the care system illiterate, today Paul is a specialist physiotherapist and sports injury expert, personal trainer and best-selling author. He works with charities and advocates for victims of historical child abuse. Above all else, he is the proud father of two boys.
We provide specialist trauma-informed therapy and support to children and young people just like Paul. Our sincere thanks go to him for supporting Kids Inspire’s services, raising awareness of the adversity children and young people can face and for inspiring hope for a positive future.”
Paul, whose emotional personal story inspired the film, is also so pleased to be working with Kids Inspire again and on this special screening of the film based on his life:
“My most recent book – Not Normal is the inspiration for Big Boys Don’t Cry and gave me an opportunity to tell even more of our story – especially on behalf of those who are no longer with us or who felt unable to speak up in the way I have.
The books and now the film have opened doors I never expected and shone a light where many still tried to hide – I have been to hell and back not just with my early experiences, but in telling my story through the books and now this film. It cost me nearly everything I hold dear, but it must be told. Even now there are pressures on children from many directions and abuse takes on many forms.
Kids Inspire do amazing work and I hope that between us and with this film reaching a wider audience, we will continue to make positive changes together.”
Screening Event Details
Where: Everyman Chelmsford 5th September 2022
When: Monday 5th September 2022 @ 7pm & 7.45pm (Subject to Availability)
18+ Certificate
Tickets now on sale: Book Here
Screening followed by Q&A panel with:
Paul Connolly (author & inspiration behind the film)
Sue Bell OBE (Chief Executive & Clinical Director @ Kids Inspire)
Ruthie Henshall (Patron of Kids Inspire and Olivier award-winning actress)
Richard Hart (Producer of Big Boys Don’t Cry)
Hosted by:
Paula Ashfield (Host of Q&A + Head of Fundraising & Communications @ Kids Inspire)
About Paul Connolly
Born in East London in 1962, the seventh son of Irish immigrants, Paul spent his childhood at the St Leonard’s home in Hornchurch, Essex, after being abandoned by his mother. He was physically and mentally abused at the site, and his housemaster, Bill Starling, was later jailed for 14 years for the crimes. The story of Paul Connolly, a celebrity fitness trainer who endured an appalling childhood, proved so popular it outsold Stieg Larsson’s crime thriller The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo in the Amazon Kindle charts.
His books Against All Odds, Beating the Odds, Not Normal and Big Boys Don’t Cry are available now and more information on Paul and his work can be found here.
With Thanks To:
Screenbound Pictures
Everyman Cinemas
Paul Connolly
Ruthie Henshall