Best Enemies was recently featured on Channel Seven's SUNRISE program.
Watch the interview with Director Ross Bark, and lead-actresses Lee-Ann Simon & Ashleigh O'Brien.
Breaking News
Griffith: Cyber Bullying
Wednesday 24, Feb 2010
Gone are the days when a note passed between classmates was a serious form of bullying.
Now, the internet and mobile phones are being used frequently to bully teenagers.
"Teenagers are now being more heavily bulled in their bedrooms than they are at school and I think because of that, this is why we call it covert bullying because it's under the radar," 'Best Enemies' Director Ross Bark said.
"I myself was bullied when I was at school, on-line and face to face. I have to say, lets be honest, I guess I sent a horrible sms or two myself. It's really easy for it to happen," actor Lee-Ann Simon said.
'Best Enemies' - a twelve minute film about the breakdown of a friendship between two girls - has screened to local students in Griffith this week.
The film was inspired by a true story about a parent whose daughter had experienced extreme cyber bullying.
"It really shows how best friend relationships, especially girls, can be mean to each other and how the use of sending text messages and bullying," Mr Bark said.
But it's hoped that after seeing this film, teenagers and the wider community will have a better idea of the impact cyber bullying has on young people, and how to report such incidents.
It was followed by a question and answer sessions where young people could find out more.
"If someone sends you a text message, someone posts something that is threatening, harassing or offensive to you, and you feel intimidated by that, that is an offence."
The director of the film believes a national policy on the issue is the best way to move forward.
"I think we've got to in some way try and get the network or community that young people are using, to be able to participate in some safety which relates to cyber safety," Mr Bark said.
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GRIFFITH 'AREA NEWS'
22 Feb, 2010
By Lucy Martin
THE director of a film that explores the devastating effects of cyberbullying has condemned a Griffith gossip site, believing those responsible to be insecure and desperate to be accepted.
Tomorrow more than 500 local students, parents and residents will see Ross Bark's film Best Enemies, based on the experiences of a young girl bullied via the internet and text messages.
The screening comes exactly a week after The Area News discovered Goss Girl Griffith ? a Facebook page encouraging local teens to post rumours and gossip about their peers on the internet.
"I think the community as a whole must wholeheartedly and across all areas - government, school and community - condemn websites such as the Goss Girl Griffth Facebook page," Mr Bark said.
The director said teenagers who bully via the internet - including those behind the Goss Girl Griffith page - struggle with their own insecurity.
"Firstly, they get enjoyment out of it and secondly, it gives them social status and control over other people - it comes from massive insecurity and a need to bind together in a group," he said.
"Unfortunately the internet allows them to hide behind a perceived anonymity and to disseminate cruel information far and wide.
"(But) the biggest problem that we have is the lack of understanding from teachers, parents and the young people themselves.
"If the community doesn't understand how it works and how it's going to impact their students, they're not going to have the tools to deal with it."
Mr Bark hopes Best Enemies and the accompanying workshops will generate awareness and discussion about the ugly but common issue.
Each screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Mr Bark, Griffith mayor Mike Neville, star Lee-Ann Simon, student welfare consultant Stephen Fry, senior constable Jane Keating and mental health practitioner Jenny Turner.
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