First Cut Season 2011, Episode 6: Love Rat

Episode 1

419 - The Internet Romance Scam

A report on the Nigerian confidence tricksters who target British women by assuming fake identities on dating websites, then defrauding their victims out of thousands of pounds. This film hears from two victims - although for one the story took a surprising turn when the man she thought was romancing her confessed his true identity. A reformed scammer in Lagos also explains the thinking behind the Nigerians' deceit. Part of the First Cut strand.

Superheroes of Suburbia

Documentary getting behind the mask of a small but secretive band of people who don comic book-inspired costumes and take to the streets to fight crime across Britain. Christian Watt's film follows the self-made sentinels on the job and reveals their normal home life, aiming to discover if they are bedroom fantasists or genuine vigilantes.

Sex, Lies and Parkinson's

Documentary following a 39-year-old paediatric nurse Vicki as she attempts to comes to terms with diagnosed early-onset Parkinson's disease, and wonders what it means for her future. Side effects of the medication she takes for the condition include an overwhelming desire for sex and shopping and an addiction to the internet, all of which threaten to destroy her relationship with her long-term partner.

The Perfect Murder

In 1991 the bodies of policeman Trevor Buchanan and family friend Lesley Howell were found in a car in Castlerock, Northern Ireland. At the time it was believed that Trevor and Lesley had formed a suicide pact, devastated, it was said, by the discovery of an affair between their spouses. For their surviving spouses, Colin Howell and Hazel Buchanan, life slowly returned to normal. But in January 2009 Colin contacted the police and told them that he and Hazel had murdered their respective spouses. Following his confession, Colin was convicted of murder and sentenced to 21 years in prison, and Hazel, who pleaded not guilty, was also convicted of murder. She is serving an 18-year jail sentence. Judy Kelly's First Cut film examines the story behind the murders and features unique access to Hazel's husband and her children, who are standing by her. The film reveals the extraordinary situation of a family being torn apart by murder, 18 years after the crime took place.

Double Lesson

The fictional story of David De Gale, a secondary school teacher nearing the end of his career who, one Monday afternoon, attacks a pupil in his class. George Kay directs this half-hour monologue, performed straight to camera by actor Phil Davis. The film joins David De Gale at home on the morning of his trial as he relives the months of mounting pressure, both at home and work, that led to the attack on the pupil. He describes his experiences in the lead up to the attack, the attack itself, and, with his trial approaching, his isolation in the weeks that followed. Double Lesson is based on accounts of real cases and factual research. However, David is a fictional character. The film sets out neither to condemn nor condone David's actions, but to provide a better understanding of how and why some teachers lose control, and how pupils, colleagues and family treat them once they do. First Cut showcases the best in bold, bright and original documentaries by up-and-coming film-makers.