Crowdfunding Continues for Kajaki The First Modern British War Film
London production company is raising funds for the first feature film about a British conflict since WW2.
“IN WAR NO ONE CHOOSES TO BE A HERO…”
This incredible true story tells it exactly as it unfolded seven years ago.
The Kajaki Dam, Helmand Province. A foreign land as beautiful as it is deadly, where lives are lost and heroes born. A company of young British soldiers - the lads next door, encounter an unexpected, terrifying enemy. A dried-out river bed, and under every step the possibility of an anti-personnel mine. A mine that could cost you your leg – or your life.
Kajaki is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that puts the audience where we've put our fighting men and women for the past twelve years: face to face with deadly peril, in the company of their friends.
No film until now has told it the way it is. This is their story. A story that must be told.
Pukka Films is currently in development on the first film about the British Army in Afghanistan. When they announced the project in the summer and began to build up their Facebook community, they were inundated with offers to help – people wanting to know what they could do to get this film made – from offers of training the actors, being extras, teaching us how to look the part and wanting to know how they could support the project financially.
With such a groundswell of support, they realised that they could use a platform like Indiegogo to build their fan base and engage directly with them.
To add to the appeal, the producers will match every pound raised through this crowd funding with a pound from the film’s income and give this to military charities. The Kajaki Movie charity partners are Help for Heroes, The Afghan Trust, The Mark Wright Project, The Royal British Legion and Walking with the Wounded.
Byrn Parry, Co-Founder, Help for Heroes commented: “I know young men and women for whom the war will be over, but they’ll be fighting their battles for the rest of their lives, and Help for Heroes has got to be there for them. We’ve got to be more proactive. We’ve got to have a supportive media and we’ve got to have films like Kajaki.”
The closing date for Indiegogo contributions is 20th January 2014.
In addition to crowd funding the producers are seeking private investment through an EIS Scheme. Total budget for the movie is £1.2 million. You can follow Kajaki Movie on twitter like them on facebook and find out more on the website.
Recent press coverage includes the Daily Mail, Sunday Times and BFBS TV News & Radio.
About the film-makers
Paul Katis (Director) and Tom Williams (Writer) have been making low budget films with big ambition for ten years. They share an interest in genre-based storytelling that can bring insightful and rewarding stories to a wider audience.
Paul is an extremely versatile award-winning director with extensive experience of a wide range of genres. As well as short films, he has worked in TV & Commercial Film production for over fifteen years and in that time has amassed a wealth of credits and experience.
Tom’s first produced script was the 2011 romantic comedy CHALET GIRL, directed by Phil Traill and starring Felicity Jones, Ed Westwick, Bill Nighy, Brooke Shields and Bill Bailey. As well as KAJAKI, Tom is currently working on an action film for TV star Bear Grylls, a BASE jumping thriller, a big budget romantic comedy and a sitcom.
Gareth Ellis-Unwin is the film’s Executive Producer. Gareth is an Oscar and BAFTA winning producer who brings many years of experience producing award winning films, including the critically-acclaimed THE KINGS SPEECH, winner of seven BAFTAs and four Academy Awards including Best Picture. Gareth has worked closely with both Tom and Paul previously and adds real weight to the production of this important and ambitious film.
About Indiegogo
Indiegogo is the original and largest global crowdfunding platform, where funders receive perks in return for donations. San Fransciso based company Indiegogo was launched in January 2008 by Danae Ringelmann, Slava Rubin, and Eric Schell. Accordng to their site, Indiegogo is the crowdfunding solution that empowers ideas and enables people to donate funds easily.