Dark Secrets of a Trillion Dollar Island: Garenne examines the widespread allegations of child sexual abuse at Haut de la Garenne, a state-run children’s home (pictured left), on the idyllic island of Jersey, a possession of the British crown. When rumours of systemic abuse surfaced in 2007, the island’s Health Minister, Stuart Syvret spoke out against the government sparking a moment of reckoning for the small community whose leaders were keen to protect the reputation of the island, home to billions of dollars in offshore investment.
The sleepy offshore tax haven found itself in the middle of a major police investigation as the world’s media descended on the island, creating a media circus. In the midst of all this, the community became divided – one group, fearful the scandal would drive investors away and another demanding justice for the victims. As bitterness and enmity dragged on and the press deserted Jersey, two unlikely bloggers (right) decide to reignite the smouldering, unresolved issues. Teaming up with former police officers, survivors and supporters, they continue to fight for the voices of the survivors to be heard, digging up past evidence and recording first-hand testimonials. In the process, they force the island to confront its dark past.
Camilla Hall is a documentary film director. Her first feature documentary COPWATCH was nominated for Best Documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2017 and was acquired by Amazon Prime. It was the closing night film for the online We Are One festival held in 2020 by Sundance, Tribeca, and Cannes. In March 2021 her second documentary feature film GARENNE premiered on BBC Storyville and is set for release across Europe via Arte, SVT, NRK and DRK mid-2021. Her third film, SUBJECT, which she is co-directing with Jennifer Tiexiera will premiere in 2022. She produced Emmy-nominated CIRCUS OF BOOKS, a Netflix Original and is producing SIRENS, directed by Rita Baghdadi.
