Don't wait for the dripping tap to become a flood!

In this episode of SWM, I'm in conversation with Mike
McKenzie.  We met at a screening of his film Be
Longing.  Mike shares details of how and why he
made the film and gives us some insight into the lives of foster
carers who seek to work with social workers and other
professionals.  Mike, his wife and his family are clearly
committed to their roles as foster carers and used his creativity
to communicate some important messages to social workers and
others.  He is really keen on effectively working together
in the best interests of children who are looked after. 
 The film is screened monthly online followed by a
discussion group, all sorts of issues emerge during the
discussion - insightful, stimulating and informative.


About Mike: Born in London to Jamaican parents
Mike is a Foster Carer, Musician, Filmmaker and Music
Teacher.  He, his wife and
his family derive enormous satisfaction
from fostering young children. They have experienced some real
highs and lows throughout.  Mike became a filmmaker in 2007
and set up DrumCamFilms.  He went on to
undertake various projects in the filming world, including
documentaries, short films, training and music videos. He has
also completed a number of projects aimed at the educational
sector.


His latest film drama project is a film called
“Be-Longing”, which is dedicated to and directed
for the foster children they have cared for and had its 1st
screening at the Lexi Cinema in Kensal Rise many years
ago.  


Be Longing is the story of a young boy aged ten years old who had
been placed in care, living in a foster home. His history
includes being removed from violent and chaotic birth parents
after a series of family breakdowns, he is torn between accepting
the trust, kindness and security of his foster family and
remaining 'loyal' to his birth parents who he still loves dearly.


Self-destruction, despair, anger, betrayal, hope and salvation
are all themes within this film. The struggle to regain the
childhood of this young man who has not yet experienced the
innocence of youth is, unfortunately not uncommon for many of
today's youth placed in care or living in broken homes. In this
short film, Be Longing seeks to show this boy's journey from his
very first day 'in care' and charts his progress along the way.


At present the film is helping to connect with many amazing care
experienced people, Artifacts CEP, Comfort Cases,
Rajinder.keohane, David L Jackson and Publishing
professionals. Mike and his team have taken the film to
The Montreal Black Film Festival, and more
recently to  No.10 Downing Street to meet Gillian Keegan MP,
the Secretary of State for Education, and Claire Coutinho MP, the
Minister for Children, along with The Fostering Network and other
foster carers from across the country.  Now as
@MAD4Films Mike and the team aim to keep talking
about the best outcomes for children and make more films about
kids in care.


Mad4 Films Profile


https://www.linkedin.com/company/mad4-films/?viewAsMember=truehttps://mad4films.com/projects/


Mikes
Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-mckenzie-25715718/


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