In a world where disabled children are confined to the margins, a single mother, with indomitable spirit, resolves to change the system for her young daughter.
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Based on a True Story
London, 1997.
We enter the world of THE LULLABY when KAMANI, a single mother, using puppet
theatre, tells seven-year-old NEELAM about the school she has chosen for her. But, a
letter from the local authority arrives saying none of the primary schools is willing to
admit Neelam.
Undeterred, Kamani contacts ‘Inclusion Now’, an organisation to help her challenge
the schools' refusal. She also hopes to return to work with her parents’ support. But
they arrive, unannounced, with the news - they have decided to return to India.
As the whirlwind settles around her, we find Kamani in a moment of quiet
introspection as she soaks in a bath. We see her inner world come alive as she sings a
lullaby of hope, promising to stand by her daughter, no matter what the obstacles.
Introduction
It’s over three decades since Sir Daniel Day-Lewis starred as a disabled young man in ‘My Left Foot’. And now comes ‘The Lullaby’, a proof of concept short film. It is a live action drama with a lyrical, stylised heartbeat.
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The Team
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Mariam Majid is a Director and visual artist with experience in theatre and sculpture installation. Her work has been exhibited at prestigious venues such as Southbank Centre and Somerset House. Her short film, A Night with Noorjehan, has won multiple awards, including at the BAFTA-qualifying Leeds International Film Festival.
'The Lullaby invites a lyrical and unconventional interpretation of the drama, which excites me as both a director and visual artist. I aim to explore Kamini’s inner world and embody her emotional journey through symbolism. I envision incorporating subtle elements of magical realism through animation and sound design, seamlessly woven into the visual storytelling.'
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Preethi Manuel is a writer who passionately explores social justice themes through her storytelling, advocating for meaningful change. After relocating from London to Leeds a decade ago, she earned her MA in Filmmaking from the Northern Film School. In October 2023, Preethi was selected for the inaugural Kay Mellor Screenwriters' Lab in Hebden Bridge, furthering her dedication to the craft. Following the birth of her daughter, who had a disability, Preethi paused her career to actively engage in the disability movement, championing the rights of all children to attend their local mainstream schools.
'They said my daughter wouldn't live past six months and I thought, it doesn't matter how long she lives; it matters how she lives. When I became a mother of a disabled child, I felt the full force of society’s prejudices. My experience, in all its intensity, is rarely portrayed on the screen. I wanted to bring this experience out of the shadows. And so ‘The Lullaby’ was born.'
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Suman Hanif is a producer, her work challenges societal taboos through powerful storytelling. Her short film True Colours was supported by BFI NETWORK, while her project A Happy Ending secured joint funding from Channel 4 and Bradford Council. Suman's debut feature film, Tell Me About It, has recently been acquired for worldwide distribution and is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
'This story evokes memories of my childhood and how stories were integral to my understanding of the world, especially as someone with dyslexia. Reading the script transported me back to that imaginative space, where stories taught me to embrace hope and challenge limitations.'
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Ashnaa Sasikaran stars as the single mother Kamini. Ashnaa is trained as an Indian classical musician, her music melds the discipline of Carnatic masters, modern pop and R&B.
