Sophie Lancaster

The short film, Dark Angel, directed by Fursy Teyssier, is a depiction of the night where Sophie Lancaster was murdered in a hate crime.

Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, were into the goth subculture and were often donned in gothic fashion. On 11 August 2007, while walking through a park in their hometown, Lancashire, United Kingdom, the couple were attacked by a group of teenagers. There had not been any provocation from the couple but they were viciously assaulted by the teenagers due to the way they were dressed.

As Robert Maltby was knocked unconscious, Sophie Lancaster cradled him in her arms and shielded him from their attackers, while they repeatedly rained kicks straight to her head. Passer-bys could only call for help while the assault continued. They were both admitted into the hospital with severe head injuries and trauma. Robert Maltby laid in a coma but recovered over the next two weeks. Sophie, however, did not wake up from her comatose state. She passed away at the age of 20.

In this day and age, everybody talks about individuality and all, but the majority of the population tend to conform. Those who embrace their individuality are often ridiculed, ostracised and in the case of Sophie Lancaster, brutally assaulted. It is really sad to see how there is a severe lack of tolerance and understanding in most societies. At the end of the day, we might all be taking different paths in life but if we are all working towards the same direction, isn't that all that matters? Why do we have to hate on things which are different? Is it due to the lack of understanding or is it fear? Are all these reasons enough to take away another person's life or deprive them of a better future? Fuck all these beef, politics and hatred. There's enough hate in the world but too little love to spread around.

All respects to Sophie Lancaster, who gave up her life to protect the one she love. R.I.P.

For more information, you may wish to check out The Sophie Lancaster Foundation