TORN SYNOPSIS

Life? What’s the point? The sentiment resonate deeply as Ben Field lay sprawled in a toxic stupor. Shadows and light translate into speculative imagery: the people, events, tragedy and bad blood, that’s disfigured his life. Now twenty-five, Ben is agonising over the loss of his son, but at sixteen, he’d longed for the companionship of a brother.
Ben’s father died when he was five. He grows up on his grandpa’s farm. They share a strong bond, he’s an accomplished rider, but longs for the affection of his mother. At school, Ben befriends, Nigerian born, Roxanne Mabula, and as her ‘knight in shining armour,’ falls prey to a racist gang led by Selby Smith and Vittorio Capilano. Cornered by Smith, forced to fight, Ben gives him a bloody nose, but his ‘victory’ will not go unpunished.
Eloise Maye, rivals Roxanne for Ben’s affection. They share a passionate embrace, she drives him crazy, but tragically confusing loyalty for love, Ben denies his true feelings. Eloise is wounded, but Ben, needing to atone for such shameful indiscretion, proposes to Roxanne. They are secretly engaged, but her sudden departure to Nigeria, leaves him heartbroken. Eloise is off to Finishing School in Switzerland. Ben rides to the station. Their farewell embrace is savoured, for no-one will ever kiss Ben with the sincerity and passion that she does. She keeps in touch, but there’s no word from Roxanne.
Cappy and unknown accomplice, attack Ben, leaving him naked and bleeding. Recovering from the trauma, Ben discovers Tod Fox hiding in the barn. Wanted by police, escaping a violent step father, he conceals his true identity and Ben offers him sanctuary. Cappy blows Tods cover, threatens to burn down Ben’s house. Tod protects Ben, but their friendship’s now in jeopardy. Tod walks away, despite Ben’s forgiveness, returning a week later, smeared in Cappy’s blood. Believing it was self defence, Ben bears false witness. Intrinsically connected, more like brother's than friends, they embark on a nightmare journey, a lesser friendship would not have endured.
Tortured by the Capilano mob, Ben finds Tod close to death on a railway line. He recovers, moves in with Ben, but his misfortune of crossing his stepfather, puts Tod in a coma. Ben keeps a bedside vigil, helps him through rehab. and the court cases that follow.
Tod possesses an innate artistic talent. He joins Ben at college, where his passion for painting nudes, brings him fortune and an affair with his teacher. Ben doesn’t approve. Tod says he’s a romantic fool, arguing Roxanne is a fantasy. Ben’s letters to Roxanne are returned, he lets go, making the summer of 1976, one of sun, sand and sex.
Eloise, model and Miss UK, comes to the farm. She declares her love, but Ben, shamed by his promiscuity, reserves his affection. She says her love is unconditional and asks him to kiss her. Finally he he listens to his heart - he’s always loved her. They get engaged, but curiously, after a couple of months, Eloise writes to break it off. Ben is distraught, more so, when the following year, she gives birth to a son, he believes is his.
Six years after Roxanne left, Ben spies her in a nightclub. Despite her protest, they go back to the farm. Disgusted by his infidelity, she’s marrying another. Ignoring Tod’s advice, her ‘white knight’ rides out to rescue her from a marriage of convenience. They live on the farm, marry when William’s born, but it proves to be no fairytale.
Tod’s diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour. Ben takes it hard, Roxanne moves out, but Tod says they will live for every day. They ride, swim, go to the cove and spend time with William. Before Tod dies he tells Ben he has a son, asks that he be a father to him. ‘Future Dreams’ - an unfinished painting of a couple at the cove with three children, is left on an easel - Tod tells Ben his death is to be a new beginning. When, after Tod’s funeral, Roxanne takes William, claiming Ben’s not his biological father, he suffers a breakdown. The story turns full circle to the prologue. Eloise comes to the farm, Ben stunned to discover her son is Tod’s. She explains, says it was a mistake and begs Ben’s forgiveness. The painting - her leaving - everything’s now transparent. Loyalty and honour have been disposed in and unspeakable act of betrayal. Ben had deeply loved and trusted them both, but can he now find in his heart the compassion to forgive them?