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| Canadian musician Scott Jones tells his story in the 2018 NFB documentary film Love, Scott (Photo by Laura Marie Wayne) |
Nova Scotia gay
musician and choral conductor Scott Jones was stabbed in the back and throat
slashed outside a New Glasgow club in October 2013. Nineteen-year-old Shane
Edward Matheson was charged with attempted murder, pleaded guilty and was
sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The stabbing
severed Jones’ spinal cord, leaving Jones paralyzed from the waist down. Yet
when he read his victim impact statement in Nova Scotia Supreme Court during
sentencing, Jones told Matheson, “Shane, nothing can justify what you've done
to me, but I forgive you for what you have done."
The road to
recovery has been a difficult one for Jones who launched his Don’t Be
Afraid campaign in 2013 to battle homophobia and transphobia, and he is the subject
of the NFB documentary Love, Scott, filmed by his
best friend, director Laura Wayne, and which is currently earning rave reviews on the film festival
circuit.
The film is
pensive and elegiac. As the NFB describes it, “From the first raw moments in
the hospital to a disquieting trip back to the place he was attacked, Scott is
constantly faced with the choice of losing himself in waves of grief or
embracing love over fear. Filmed over three years by Scott’s close friend, Love, Scott is an intimate and visually
evocative window into queer experience, set against a stunning score by Sigur
Rós.”
I
interviewed both Laura Wayne and Scott Jones when Love, Scott screened at the 2018 FIN Atlantic International
Film Festival in Halifax.
Why did you feel compelled to make
this movie?
Laura Wayne:
A really important part of making this film for me was Scott knew from
the beginning that he was targetted for being a gay man. But no hate crimes
charges were pressed and it was not a topic in the courtroom. But it was important
to Scott and I felt this needed to be explored.
What do you hope to accomplish with
this film?
Scott Jones: As Laura said, the attack was not
labelled as a hate crime. I hope this film shines on a light on hate crimes in
Canada. I also hope that the queer community feels like they are being represented
onscreen. We just don’t see enough stories about queer disabled people on the
big screen, so this is a big accomplishment.
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| Movie still of scene where Scott Jones stands up in theatre |
My favourite scene in the film is
when Scott stands up onstage in the theatre. What was it like to film that
scene?
Scott Jones: At that point I wasn’t really thinking
about being filmed. I remember saying how vulnerable I felt. But that moment
was powerful. It was an incredible afternoon.
Laura Wayne:
Yes, I was deeply moved when we filmed that scene, as well as the scene
at the Pride parade. I had to juggle this dual role – half professional filmmaker,
the other as Scott’s best friend. During those two scenes, it was really emotional
and a privilege to be there.
Scott, was making this film a
cathartic experience for you, and has it contributed to your healing in any
way?
Scott Jones: I could spend hours answering this
question. The short answer is yes! I think that is thanks to my relationship with
Laura and the love she has given me on this journey. It is something I
desperately needed. The film has changed my life and contributed to my healing.
For more about Love, Scott, click here.
That is gruesome. Imagine being slashed on the throat randomly.
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