Film tells story of how Sian lost leg in New York horror – and what she did next
DOCUMENTARY GETTING ITS PREMIERE IN CITY ON FRIDAY
THE story of a woman who lost a leg after being hit by a taxi in New York will be told in a documentary premiering in Leicester.
No Fare: The Sian Green Story debuts at the Phoenix on Friday.
The feature-length documentary is the work of local filmmakers Matt Holt and Wayne Kelly and features a song by former Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan.
No Fare follows Sian on her road to recovery after the incident that changed her life and the long legal battle that followed.
Sian was a 23-year-old tourist in New York in 2013 when a taxi mounted the kerb and hit her.
In the film, she recalls the moments leading up to the crash and her vague memories of nearly bleeding to death.
Sian would have died from her injuries had it not been for a group of pedestrians – including TV doctor Dr Mehmet Oz, who has an office near where Sian was struck.
Sian’s long legal battle with the city of New York would become an equally significant part of her story and is highlighted in the film.
An investigation in 2013 concluded that criminal charges would not be brought against taxi driver Faysal Himon, who had allegedly been in some sort of conflict with a cyclist before the incident took place.
Producers Matt and Wayne have been documenting Sian’s journey in Leicester and the US since 2015.
They accompanied her when she returned to New York in 2016, filming key witnesses, legal experts and securing an exclusive interview with Mr Himon.
Director Matt said: “We have been on a real rollercoaster putting Sian’s story on film.
“We were shocked to discover the level of traffic violence in New York.
“It seems offending drivers are rarely charged and victims receive little or no compensation.
“Some, unfortunately, don’t live to tell their own stories.
“No Fare is a powerful statement about a broken system and a message of hope.
“We’re passionate about bringing this story to a wider audience and it’s an honour to be able to hold the world premiere in Leicester.”
According to Sian, the making of
It was almost quite therapeutic for me to keep reliving some moments. It actually helped me Sian Green
No Fare is a powerful statement about a broken system and a message of hope
Matt Holt
the film has been a positive process. She said: “It was almost quite therapeutic for me to keep reliving some moments and it actually helped me – it was definitely one of the things that helped me along the way.
“It’s given me confidence. I do talks in schools now and to watch the children’s faces change as I tell the story is really special.”
The screening, at 7.15pm on Friday, July 15, will be followed by a question-and-answer session with Sian and the filmmakers.
Additional screenings will take place on Saturday, at 3.15pm and Sunday, at 5.15pm.
Tickets can be booked via the Phoenix website.