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)