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The Man Outside

Liv McClymont / Jessica Todd
Running time: 11

When the law can't protect you, who will?

A young woman’s life turns into a nightmare when she realises her ex-boyfriend is stalking her. As his actions grow increasingly menacing, she turns to the Police, only to discover that Aotearoa’s legal system is unable to protect her due to the absence of anti-stalking laws. Left with no official support, she and her flatmates are thrust into a harrowing real-life thriller, where they must rely on each other to confront a threat that grows more dangerous with every passing day.

The Man Outside is inspired by the experience of stalking that happened to a friend of the filmmakers and aims to shed light on the urgent need for stalking laws in Aotearoa. While other countries like the UK, US, and Australia have criminalised stalking, New Zealand has not. The Man Outside is a creative and powerful film that uses a blend of reenactments and suspenseful thriller elements to bring to life the fear and trauma experienced by stalking victims, using a surprising reveal to highlight the pressing need for legal reform.

“NZ’s lack of stalking laws is dangerous and outdated.” – Leonie Morris, Auckland Coalition for the Safety of Women and Children.

A growing movement seeks to amend the Crimes Act 1961 to make stalking a punishable offence. To support anti-stalking legislation in NZ, visit antiviolenceactionnz.net.

I never thought I’d become a victim. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel safe again.

About the Filmmakers

Liv McClymont

Liv is a vibrant, feminine Director who uses film to create societal change. She thrives on high-concept filmmaking that brings out the theatrical or surreal. Her debut documentary, “I Stand For Consent”, garnered hundreds of thousands of views worldwide, sparking meaningful conversations about sexual consent. Liv’s aim as a filmmaker is to make audiences feel something – and not always warm fuzzies.

Jessica Todd

Jessica is an emerging independent producer based in Ōtautahi Christchurch. She’s worked in the media industry in both Aotearoa and the UK for the last 10 years. In 2023 she produced the short documentary ‘I Stand For Consent’ funded as part of Someday Stories 7, becoming the most-watched film of the series. She’s a creative at heart and thrives on the challenge of getting important stories in front of an audience.

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