PROFESSIONAL actors have joined media students from an Enfield school to produce a cinema-quality film about knife and gang crime.

The film, which will be shown in schools across the borough and possibly on the big screen, is an attempt to draw something positive from the series of brutal murders and attacks on young people in Edmonton last year.

It follows a day in the life of Adam, a teenage boy whose suffers at the hands of his alcoholic father. Because he is bullied at home, he becomes a bully on the street.

The idea for the film was hatched between Peter McNamara, an actor and director, and Jamie Martin, a teacher at Highlands School, in World’s End Lane, Winchmore Hill, who also used to work in the film industry.

Mr McNamara said the story was inspired by the incidents that happened in Edmonton but was also about the wider issues of gang culture and family life.

Enfield police’s Safer, Stronger Communities board agreed to fund the film.

The board’s Superintendent Dave Osborn said: “We were happy to help. It’s about the positive message about what the kids can do, rather than just focusing on crime. It’s about making choices.”

Also involved is Edmonton’s Ghetto Youth Theatre (GYT), which provided actors and editors to the team.

GYT spokeswoman Shirley Mason said: “It’s making people aware that there are young people out in the community that are doing really positive things. Everybody’s got on really well together and everybody’s learnt something.”

The team persuaded 12 professional actors, including Mark Wingett (The Bill), Andy Tiernan (300, The Pianist and The Bunker), Perry Benson (Mum and Dad, Operation Good Guys), BAFTA nominee Lorraine Stanley (London to Brighton and Cass) as well as Mr McNamara, to work for expenses only.

Mr Martin, whose film industry experience extends to Star Wars and Bond films, said the project was an excellent experience, as the students were using professional equipment.

Year 13 student Meryem Gunsayn, 18, who has just got a distinction for her BTEC National Diploma in Media and was the film’s first assistant editor, script supervisor and continuity editor, said: “This is what I want to do. It’s giving me a little taste of what it’s going to be like.”

“It’s been great, I’ve really enjoyed it,” added Declan Murphy, 17, who was the second assistant director. “Working with the actors was surreal. I was getting all excited to meet them but then I was talking to them. You forget that they are just normal people, that they used to be in the same position as you.”

Now the collective is looking for an extra £7,000 sponsorship to finish the production, including filming last-minute pick-up shots.

Anyone who can help is urged to contact Mr Martin on 020 8370 1156.