KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 — Companionship is essential for everybody, particularly for the aged spending their golden years away from their youngsters.
Sitiawan-born Veronica Anne witnessed the lonely life led by her grandmother and every time she dropped by to go to, her grandmother would pour her coronary heart out to her.
Likewise, her classmate, Naomi Kakuvi Musau, noticed the aged grappling with the identical plight again in her hometown in Kenya.
Now, the 2 aspiring filmmakers are working on Thanimai, a Tamil short film that sheds gentle on the often-overlooked topic.
Thanimai follows the story of an aged Indian widow who builds a friendship with a Grab driver as she prepares to commemorate her husband’s loss of life anniversary.
Both Veronica and Naomi, who’re presently pursuing cinematic arts at Multimedia University in Cyberjaya, may even current the short film as their closing 12 months venture.
Speaking to eNews Malaysia, Naomi recalled how senior citizens residing alone in Kenya are often cared for by voluntary caregivers or their kind-hearted neighbours.
“Few years in the past, one in all my grandmother’s neighbours moved in with her after her husband handed away to maintain my grandmother.
“She did it willingly with out anticipating something in return,” Naomi recalled.
Naomi Kakuvi Musau is the producer of ‘Thanimai’ and just lately secured a RM5,000 grant from the Krishen Jit Fund for the venture. — Picture courtesy of Naomi Kakuvi Musau
In December final 12 months, Naomi additionally secured a RM5,000 grant from the distinguished Krishen Jit Fund for the short film.
The grant, she stated, would enable them to rent a music composer and canopy post-production in addition to advertising prices since they plan to submit Thanimai to film festivals.
Having skilled the Indian tradition first-hand in Kenya, Naomi loved the method of researching and studying about Indian customs for the short film.
“We have an enormous Indian inhabitants in Kenya, particularly in Nairobi.
“I discover them to be a really welcoming neighborhood who’re wanting to share the whole lot about their tradition, from their vibrant colors to beautiful designs,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Veronica stated filial piety is emphasised strongly in each the Indian and Kenyan cultures.
Veronica Anne says she is directing ‘Thanimai’ to encourage younger adults to check-in with their outdated mother and father or grandparents. — Picture courtesy of Naomi Kakuvi Musau
She additionally hopes that Thanimai will transfer her viewers to reconnect with their relations and take a real curiosity in their lives.
“After watching the film, they need to instantly seize their cell and name their mother and father or grandparents to verify in on them. For me, that will probably be Thanimai’s greatest success,” she stated.
