About Kakkutta - The Crab
Nethu, a 10-year-old Sri Lankan boy, aspires to be a fisherman like his father but knowing the hardships and the disgrace a fisherman faces in their society Nethu’s father is determined to make Nethu follow a different dream.
However, being a mischievous and determined 10-year-old, Nethu makes his first journey on a boat, with the help of his 6-year-old sister Sayuri, hoping to make his father realize that Nethu’s got what it takes to be a fisherman.
But as things don’t go so well as expected, Nethu learns that not every dream is valid in an adult’s world.
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Hi my name is Ishani, the Writer and Director of Kakkutta. I'm a Sri Lankan filmmaker who loves telling stories through children because I believe they are the most sincere in the world.
Coming from a country that limits your choices to a few
mainstream careers, becoming a filmmaker was challenging for me. But I’m
thankful I have a family that gave me the freedom to dream.
After graduating with a Triple Major in BA. Journalism,
Psychology and English Literature, I started working in Sri Lanka as an Assistant
Producer for Young Asia Television and moved to Independent Television Network
as a Producer which gave me 5years of experience producing TV.
I always wanted to do my Masters in Filmmaking but never had
the opportunity as we don’t have Filmmaking in our graduate academics. So I did
my Masters in International Relations just to keep in touch with books.
In 2012, I was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue an
MFA. Filmmaking degree at the New York Film Academy. So here I am with my final thesis project
‘Kakkutta’.
Kakkutta is a not only the story of a 10 year old boy, it’s
my story and it’s also yours. So I hope you become a part in the making of this
movie.
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Why Kakkutta?
Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean. Although the fishing community contributes significantly to the countries economy, fishermen remain among the poorest communities in the country. They are also a community that is socially looked down upon and educational motivations for them are rather low.
Kakkutta is not just a story about a child who wants to become a fisherman breaking all social barriers. It's the story of every child whose dreams are mostly crushed because they don't have people who believe in them.
I want to tell this story because I believe every dream of every child is valid, even the dreams of children from underprivileged communities. For children have no status core and in their eyes, everyone is equal, just like it should be.
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Your Contribution
In order to tell this story we need to raise US$12,000 to cover travel expenses for our Director and Producer who will be traveling from Los Angeles, United States to Batticaloa, Sri Lanka where Kakkutta will be shot in June. The funds will also go to production costs. While every member of the crew is contributing to the movie with his or her skills free of charge, we still need the funds for necessities such as equipment rentals, actors fee, transportation to the filming locations, food, lodging and post production.
You will also be supporting a child's eduction by providing them them with books, stationary and other necessities such as uniform materials and shoes.
If we don't reach our goal we won't be able to tell Nethu's story, which represents the stories of other children from underprivileged communities around the world.
Other Ways you can support
If you can't financially support our film we encourage you to spread the word, feel free to share our campaign with your family and friends and be part of this amazing journey!