TIGER HEART
Hamla (8) is sold as a wife to a man by her parents. In India it is common for girls to marry to financially support their families. Will Hamla find her courage to defend herself from the law?
SHORT FILM
THE SCRIPT
INDIA | SCHOOL OF HAMLA - DAY
In a country not far from here lives a little girl named Hamla (8). With her raven-black hair and yellow tiger eyes she stands out from her friends. Being the eldest of three sisters, she is the only one who goes to school. She likes school, it makes her happy and carefree.
HOUSE OF HAMLA - EVENING
One day her mother Raji, very seriously, explains to her that she will have to get married. The family is poor and a marriage would bring the money needed to feed her little sisters.
Hamla doesn't understand.
- Getting married, and with whom?
- With a man who dad knows. He is rich.
- When?
- Tomorrow.
- Tomorrow?!
JUNGLE - NIGHT
Frightened and desperate Hamla runs off into the jungle in search of her secret hiding place. In the dark, the sounds of the forest get weirder and weirder. Yellow eyes flicker amongst the bushes. A tiger...
Terrified, the girl runs home.
HOUSE OF HAMLA - NIGHT
Hamla returns home ready to face her destiny. Her mom opens the door in silence and Hamla enters.
HOUSE OF HAMLA - DAY
The next day, the groom arrives in the village on the back of his elephant while unknown women invade the little girl's house, taking her and dressing her in fine clothes. A doll covered in silk and jewels.
WEDDING - DAY
Flowers, fabrics and garlands decorate the wedding tent but Hamla has only eyes for that unknown man who approaches her: he is older than her dad!
HOUSE OF THE HUSBAND - NIGHT
Night falls and the man takes Hamla to a room. Hamla feels very small next to that man that smells ... rotten ... He comes closer and closer and touches her with those rotten hands ... everywhere. Hamla cries silently ... tears of disgust.
HOUSE OF THE HUSBAND - NIGHT
Hamla does not sleep. She lays is in her smelly husband's bed.
On the ceiling a glimmer of light.
A tiger roar in the night.
A draft of wind opens the window.
Hamla's eyes light up bright yellow. A way to escape!
JUNGLE - NIGHT
Hamla runs, fast as the wind, through the jungle. A tiger appears next to her.
JUNGLE - NIGHT
The girl and the tiger reach a clearing. There is a fire in the middle and many, many girls like Hamla accompanied by their brave tiger spirits. A perfect place to start a new life away from the injustices of the world.
END.
MEET THE DIRECTORS
Hi, my name is Eleonora, I am 11 years old, my favorite food is pizza, my favorite colors are black and white and if I could be an animal I would like to be a dog. When I grow up I want to do something in the field of animals or the doctor.
Hi, my name is Gaia, I am 11 years old, my favorite food is pasta, my favorite color is black and if I could be an animal I would like to be a lion. When I grow up I would like to be the kindergarten teacher.
Hi, my name is Nora, I am 11 years old, my favorite food is sushi, my favorite color is white and if I could be an animal I would like to be a tiger. When I grow up I would like to become an elementary school teacher.
Hi, my name is Christopher, I am 11 years old, my favorite food is sushi, my favorite color is orange and if I could be an animal I would like to be a white tiger. When I grow up I want to be a player.
Hi, my name is Matilde, I am 11 years old, my favorite food is sushi, my favorite color is blue.
Hi, my name is Lisa, I am 9 years old, my favorite food is sushi, my favorite colors are black and red and if I could be an animal I would like to be a rabbit. When I grow up I want to be an actress or a singer.
Hi, my name is Michelle, I am 9 years old, my favorite food is McDonald's, my favorite color is red and if I could be an animal I would like to be a dog. When I grow up I want to be a beautician or hairdresser.
Hi, my name is Alessandro, I'm 11 years old, my favorite food is sushi, my favorite color is black, and if I could be an animal I would like to be a white tiger. When I grow up I want to be a computer technician.
Hi, my name is Szofia, I am 11 years old, my favorite food is sushi, my favorite color is black and if I could be an animal I would like to be a wolf. When I grow up I want to be an artist or a voice actress.
Hi, my name is Charlotte, I am 10 years old, my favorite food is sushi, my favorite colors are black and blue, and if I could be an animal I would like to be a fish. When I grow up I want to be a primary school teacher.
