Unseen and unsung heroes

摘要

There is a moment during the BAFTA award winning short film, Operator, when the operator breathes a sigh of relief. For me, the understated power and dramatic release of that moment was what secured the award for the filmmakers. Operator was part funded by the Fire Brigades Union and serves as a gripping and emotional rollercoaster of a ride in testament to the work of control room operators. Based upon the real-life incident (which was played immediately after last month's screening at the Curzon Soho), the incident featured a mother and three-year-old son caught in a blaze. As the tension and the mother's terror escalates the viewer watches the operator mobilise fire crews whilst guiding, encouraging, reassuring and supporting the panic-stricken mother. Came of Thrones actress Kate Dickie perfects the consummate professionalism of the operator whilst Broadchurch's Vicky McClure eerily captures the trembling tone and real-life horror of the trapped mother.