Kebaya: A Thesis Short Film

LOGLINE
A young air stewardess navigates her new role as a caregiver for her grandmother while building a relationship with her distant father.

TREATMENT OF THE FILM
When airline stewardesses first take on their role, it is oftentimes filled with beaming pride and passion. However, behind this professional facade, hides the hardships that life throws at you. Our protagonist Ting, is a character that lives a unique double life. She has a glamorous occupation serving passengers of Singapore’s top airline. When she dons her uniform, a kebaya, she is expected to present herself with utmost professionalism with kindness and care from within. However, the lines are blurred at home when she is expected to also care for her frail grandmother who is in need of 24 hours support. It is as though she can never remove the burden of her kebaya even at home.

As the story develops, the exhaustion and frustration builds within her. Her cheerful character fades and her outlook of life is grim and repetitive. This exacerbates as her father David also loses steam in his caretaking duties towards Grandma. What was supposed to be the fundamental duty of a child has now become a heavy burden dragging the family’s motivation to life.

The breaking point comes when Ting returns home one day to find Grandma calling for help alone and her father is nowhere to be found.

INTENTION
Throughout the short film, characters are tested time and time again on their expectations of others and themselves. This film is a reflective piece that hopes to bring to light the hidden struggles within a family unit.

We hope that the film will not only raise awareness about the challenges faced by caregivers but also their needs.

We also hope the film will also serve as a call to action to step up to serve and provide support for the many forgotten individuals in the community.

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
As aspiring student filmmakers, it has been difficult to financially fund our short film. Even though we have successfully produced the film, we will be extremely grateful if you can help us ease our financial burdens by donating to this project!

If the making of this film speaks to you, help us by sharing the link of this crowdfunding project to your friends and family!


THE TEAM
Trevor Poh - Writer & Director
Beh Wen Jing - Producer
Billy Heng - Assistant Director
Alvin Chew - Director of Photography
Adam Rosli - Director of Sound
Vu Quang Ngoc - Production Designer
Vanessa Yip - Editor