The humid Mumbai air clung to the mother’s skin as she hurried towards the beach. Slum life offered little, but the chaotic symphony of the waves was disrupted by a sight that made her heart skip a beat.
Partially hidden between rocks lay a khatla (bed), its wooden frame broken, but still intact.
The Trailer
Directors’ Bios
Ibrahim Kargbbo JNR
A lifelong fascination with storytelling led Ibrahim, at the age of eleven, to craft his first film. This ignited a creative spark that continues to fuel the pursuit of a career in the heart of East London’s dynamic cultural sector. His filmmaking journey has embraced diverse experiences, from studying and mastering analogue formats like Super 8, 16mm and 35mm in South Korea and Portugal, to collaborating on major film and HETV productions.
Ibrahim has honed his skills as an Assistant Director on sets ranging from the action-packed world of Deadpool & Wolverine to the fantastical realms of House of The Dragons S2 and the intimate biopic Bob Marley: One Love.
Beyond the commercial film industry, he is a committed member of not/nowhere (https://www.not-nowhere.org/), a London-based POC artist worker’s cooperative, where he facilitates community empowerment through workshops, programs, and exhibitions. Ibrahim particularly champions democratising access to analogue filmmaking, ensuring local artists have the tools and knowledge to flourish in a rapidly evolving media landscape. He’s also a co-founder of Amenno.
Stephen Cookson
Stephen is an English film director, producer and writer based in London. His most recent feature film is an original comedy called ARTHUR’S WHISKY for Sky Movies / Arclight which recently won Best Comedy 2024 at the National Film Awards (the film stars Diane Keaton, Patricia Hodge, Lulu and Hayley Mills). Before that he directed BRIGHTON (Phil David, Larry Lamb, Marion Bailey and Lesley Sharp) which he adapted from the famous stage play BRIGHTON BEACH SCUMBAGS. He directed MY ANGEL (Brenda Blethyn, Timothy Spall, Celia Imrie and Mel Smith) which won Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best Director at the Monaco International Film Festival.
Stephen also directed STANLEY A MAN OF VARIETY starring Timothy Spall which won over 20 international awards including Best Director and Best Actor. TELL TALE HEART (Steven Berkoff, Henry Goodman and Hugh Skinner) which he adapted from Edgar Allan Poe’s short story and SHAKESPEARE’S HEROES & VILLAINS starring Steven Berkoff. MUMBO MUMBO (Joss Ackland, Brian Blessed and Richard O’Brien) for Warner Bros and JOURNEY TO THE MOON - the first movie musical since Alan Parker’s classic BUGSY MALONE to feature an entire cast of children playing adults.
Stephen is currently working with Kelsey Grammer (Frasier) on a satirical comedy set in Hollywood plus several short films with Ibrahim Kargbo.
- Follow what Steve’s up to here: www.ckfilmsltd.co.uk
Mumbai
Mumbai is a sensory explosion. Imagine a city where saris and dhhotis practically shimmer with colour, homes are painted like technicolour dreams, and even the trucks are rolling works of art. We knew we had to capture this infectious energy, and what better way than with the magic of analogue film?
Shooting on Kodak Super 8 Ektachrome 100 was an adventure in itself. From the chaotic ballet of rush hour traffic to the zen calm of a slumbering cow, capturing Mumbai on film felt somehow romantic. Digital just wouldn’t have done this city justice. It’s like we bottled the essence of Mumbai’s frenetic beauty in a bygone era.
Speaking of first impressions, Mumbai truly lives up to its nickname, the “City of Dreams.” Every bustling corner and diverse neighbourhood offered a new perspective on what makes this metropolis tick. It’s a place where dreams are fuelled by the unyielding spirit of its residents, a city overflowing with ambition and resilience.
But Mumbai isn’t just about hustle. We wanted to make the city itself a character in our film. It’s a place of fascinating contrasts – the organized chaos of traffic jams punctuated by surprising pockets of peace. This push and pull, this rhythm of life, is a core part of the story we’re trying to tell.
We were also deeply touched by the city’s vibrant traditions and warm hospitality. The principle of “Atithhi Devo Bhhava” – “The guest is God” – is woven into the very fabric of Mumbai. It’s a testament to the city’s welcoming spirit and rich cultural tapestry, and it definitely contributed to our incredible experience filming there.
Ultimately, Mumbai left us with a lasting impression of its vibrant energy, its diverse community, and the indomitable spirit of its people. This is a city where dreams don’t just exist, they thrive!
We hope you enjoy our little slice of Mumbai on screen. It wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our amazing crew, so a huge shoutout to everyone involved!
