Alumna’s thriller film examines trauma behind bullies, combats female stereotypes

Schoolyard fights turn deadly in alumna Angela How’s psychological thriller, “Rock Sugar.”

Releasing digitally Tuesday under the alternate North American title “Bullied,” the film navigates the complex relationship between 12-year-old Charlotte (Jacinta Klassen) and her bully Brenda (Lulu Fitz). After being repeatedly antagonized by Brenda, Charlotte knocks her unconscious one night, introducing an emotionally heightened narrative with a dark turn of events. Director, writer and producer How said the thriller genre maintained a sense of urgency following the girls’ physical altercation while providing a restorative and empowering conclusion for the film.

“Thrillers call for a general premise of a relative good – in this instance the victim of bullying – conquering the relative evil, (which) in this case is the bully,” How said. “In that sense, the thriller genre seemed fitting for this cautionary tale of anti-bullying.”

Inspired to make a film based on her own childhood experiences with bullies, How said it was important for “Rock Sugar” to not only instill sympathy for Charlotte but to also portray her active search for a solution to face the bully. Furthermore, Charlotte’s discovery of her emotional strength as a bullying survivor complements Brenda’s newfound empathy in a vulnerable state, How added.

Although she hopes audiences can understand the effects of bullying in “Rock Sugar” as detrimental across all ages, How said focusing on a younger age group would reflect the critical point in many girls’ lives when bullying often begins. Fitz said playing Brenda was a multilayered task, as “Rock Sugar” characterizes the stereotypical bully character as someone with deeper intentions and insecurities.

“Brenda is complex in the way that I think she’s jealous of Charlotte, and like many bullies, has a strange fascination with the victim,” Fitz said. “Once Charlotte hits Brenda, the power dynamic switches, and Brenda is no longer in control. The bully stereotype changes and develops a more complex narrative.”

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While Brenda’s desire to dominate the social hierarchy and hold power over Charlotte leads to their struggle and the former’s knockdown, Fitz said the film reflects female empowerment when emotional differences are set aside to understand opposing perspectives. In order for Brenda and Charlotte to gain mutual respect, however, Fitz said the girls’ quarrels are necessary for progressing toward lasting, positive change.

After the two girls clash and the bully’s insecurities are revealed, Fitz said a softer side of Brenda is uncovered, evoking a sense of empathy. Instead of celebrating the adverse power dynamic that bullying achieves, How said “Rock Sugar” sheds light on the source of bullying – the emotional traumas often found in the bullies themselves. Just as Charlotte finds confidence within herself to stand her ground, Fitz said Brenda discovers a new source of strength beyond her bully persona.

Acting alongside Fitz, Klassen said their characters grow into emotionally mature young girls whose relationship is based on a fundamentally dark yet critical beginning. Klassen said the thriller genre provided the necessary tension to show anti-bullying through a serious lens. Rather than forcing genre cinematics such as quick cuts and framing shots in every scene, “Rock Sugar” presents the emotional traumas at the source of Charlotte and Brenda’s relationship in an organic way, Klassen added.

“There develops a quiet understanding between both Charlotte and Brenda, two characters with insecurities and challenges that they’ve both experienced,” Klassen said. “That’s a commonly shared feeling women have – a sort of communal understanding of emotional traumas that form stronger bonds.”

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In line with the closer relationship Charlotte and Brenda develop, Klassen said the majority-female cast forged deep friendships on and off set. The support from How and Fitz while filming emotionally heavy scenes aided in rehearsal preparation and also encouraged risk-taking in a lead role, Klassen said.

While female representation helped build the theme of female empowerment, Klassen said the cast of young Australian students reflects the heightened emotional realities during developmental years. The transition period for 12-year-olds adjusting from primary school to high school is a pivotal time when extreme emotions can arise and lead to bullying, Klassen said. From casting female leads to developing non-traditional roles for young girls, How said the theme of female empowerment among characters in “Rock Sugar” was fundamental to executing the film.

“I hope that the story will resonate with audiences who may realize they’ve been missing out on compelling stories with female representation,” How said. “Females can be lead characters in thrillers and carry active roles in any story, not just as the love interest or secondary characters.”