How did OKRE support collaboration

My Blonde GF’s exploration of the issues surrounding deepfake technology aligns with OKRE’s mission to support projects that drive awareness around important new and lesser-known societal issues.

My Blonde GF is a powerful short film which tackles the troubling issue of non-consensual deepfake pornography, released in May 2023 on Guardian Documentaries.

The film tells the story of Helen Mort, a poet and writer who discovered that her social media images had been manipulated. They used an image of her head attached to a stranger’s body and were posted to a pornographic site by an anonymous user. The film seeks to reclaim Helen’s image and explores crucial themes of privacy, consent and the emotional impact of this new era of abuse.

 

Although we never see the images in question, we see the impact they have as we witness Helen viewing the manipulated videos herself. For me, this is more powerful than actually witnessing them firsthand, as we’re forced to truly reckon with the very human face affected by this heinous act.

Short of the Week

How collaboration improved authenticity

Lived Experience & Experts

  • OKRE played a crucial role in the development of My Blonde GF by fostering key collaborations between survivor Helen Mort and leading experts in psychology and law. The support and facilitation enabled the film’s production team to work closely with Dr Afrodifi Pina, a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, and Professor Clare McGlynn, a Professor of Law specialising in image-based sexual abuse.

Iterative Development Process

  • OKRE facilitated an extended development phase, allowing the filmmakers to continually refine their approach based on expert feedback. They were able to bridge the gaps between academia and film production, bringing everyone onto the same page and ensuring that Helen’s story was handled with the utmost care to avoid any risk of re-traumatisation during the process.

Feedback

  • Dr Pina highlighted the significance of OKRE’s involvement. Noting at the OKRE Summit 2024 that “as an academic, I had no experience with film whatsoever” and deeming the experience “amazing”.