14 November, 2007 - Published 16:50 GMT
Derrick Bennett - Investigating gun crime in London
Derrick Bennett came to the 大象传媒 to undertake work experience but he soon began working on an investigation exposing how easy it was to illegally buy guns in London.
Derrick began by telling Fred Dove gun crime is an issue in London. That nowadays kids are using guns to end arguments, rather than, for example, talking, using their fists or trying to deal with issues in other ways.
Guns have been around Derrick his whole life and he has had to make a conscious decision not to get involved - not even as a rebellious teenager. Derrick says he felt strongly that once you get into guns there is no going back.
The documentary came about because Derrick started work experience at the 大象传媒 and his Editor was interested in hearing about his experiences.
Derrick played the front role. They didn’t have a big crew; it was just Derrick and his producer with a camera. Derrick thought people might mistrust him and he was always honest that they were working for the 大象传媒 but Derrick still had a gun in his hand within 48 hours.
In his report Derrick speaks about receiving the gun, a submarine gun worth a couple of hundred pounds:
“The contact doesn’t want to appear on camera - but has agreed to the gun being filmed ……I’m amazed it’s wrapped in a plastic carrier bag with bullets included…I’m surprised at how heavy it is. How can a child carry this - let alone pull the trigger?”
Derrick was shocked at how easy it was to get guns. He also said in his report, struggling for words, that:
“The same bullets in my hand could have been the same bullets that they used to kill my friend.”
In an unrelated incident Derrick’s friend was a victim of guns- shot dead whilst Derrick was making his documentary.
Derrick feels that a horrifying fact was that the person who shot his friend was under 18.
His friend’s death made Derrick more determined than ever to make the documentary succeed:
“To show parents you need to build a relationship with your children; so that you can understand what actually goes on and what they could possibly encounter on a daily basis out in the streets.”
Derrick still lives in urban London so he hopes he can show people that they have options about what they do with their lives. Currently he sees kids who say that they are prepared to die – but sadly he feels they’ve not even lived.
“The most important thing is life - let’s not forget that.”