CATCH A BUTCHER - BFI Network Short Film

Aim

'Catch A Butcher', a period horror short, sheds light on the suppression of the Anglo-Indian experience under the Empire. Help us finish it!

Supported by Film Hub Midlands 

'Catch A Butcher' is a short film set in 19th Century India, where a nurse’s first night on the job descends into terror as she discovers the truth behind the disappearances of mixed race babies.  

The film looks at the pressure of being mixed race, and the power of the British Empire over Indian mothers and their Anglo-Indian children. Our film gives these women a voice who were so often nameless and forgotten; erased from their mixed race children's lives and identities. 

We want to raise awareness about this untold history and spark a conversation about these issues which are relevant to many people all around the world today.

We have recently completed filming, and currently need to raise £3500.00 to support our post-production process, including editing, VFX, composition, colour grade and sound design. 

Cassiah Joski-Jethi, Writer/Director 

BFI Network X BAFTA Crew, BBC New Creative 

Thomas McDonald, Producer

BIFA Longlisted, London Calling Funded

Robbie Bryant, Director of Photography 

Recent short BAFTA nominated & Oscar longlisted 

Nainita Desai, Composer 

BAFTA Breakthrough Brit, scored Oscar nominated & BAFTA winning For Sama 

Emma Butt, Sound Designer 

Emmy Certificate for her work on Game of Thrones

Lili Lea Abraham, Production Designer

Berlinale Talents, recent short BAFTA nominated & Oscar longlisted 

Naomi Smallwood, Editor

Assembly editor on Channel 4 and BBC TV shows

Shakyra Dowling, Casting Director  

Casted Sundance, BAFTA, Berlinale & Oscar nominated films

Deandria performed by Ramanique Ahluwalia - Ransom (CBS) 

Ajalaa performed by Manpreet Bambra - Free Reign (Netflix), So Awkward (BBC) 

Victoria performed by Faith Knight - Bulletproof (Sky), Doctors (BBC)  

Chandni performed by newcomer Kiran Virdee

We have already made it through the hardest part of making a film - the shoot! Especially as we were working with babies, filming in the dead of night, and working in a derelict abbey. 

Revesby Abbey, built in 1845 in the "Jacobethan" style, served as both location and accommodation for the crew. The ruins of this medieval Abbey added to the overall feel of the film and it was an honour to be able to shoot in a building part of the English Heritage. 

All of our departments put their best efforts into achieving one of most ambitious project we shot. For instance, we accomplished the film's mysterious look by using double-wick candles in order to light the scenes close to perfection. Our art department gave the dilapidated Abbey the 19th century Indian appearance we desired. You can view some of our sets in the photos below. The costume and make-up department brought our characters to life, while the sound department gave our characters, all played by female cast, a chance to hear their voices. 

The film is 'in the can', and we now just need to get it into post-production in order to get it to the screen.

As the film is complete, our rewards are good to go! On offer, we have some very unique and exciting items: 

- Original Director's & Producer's brainstorm for the film idea (x1) 

- Original Director's annotated script (x1) 

- Invite to the Cast & Crew screening

- Personal Meeting with the Director and Producer 

- The Original Tapestry (1.35mx1.7m) used in the film, pictured below (x1)

This project successfully funded on 5th March 2020