Beneath The Spikes (PG13)
-Documentary
Director: Rishiikanthan S/O Vijayahkumar
Length: 8min 25secs
Language: English, Tamil
Subtitle: English
Completed date: 2015
School: Singapore Polytechnic
Four years ago, Hari found out that his second son Sharvin will be born premature and may not survive the ordeal. Hari turned to the Hindu deity Lord Murugan, and made a vow.
If his son makes it home without harm, Hari will carry a Kavadi – a portable altar attached to the devotee with over 100 body piercings – in thanksgiving to Lord Murugan.
Beneath The Spikes follows Hari as he fulfills his religious vow by carrying a Kavadi in the Hindu festival, Panguni Uthiram.
Director's message
Beneath The Spikes is about the leaps and bounds a father goes through for the sake of his son. It's really about how far a person would go for the ones he/she loves. I hope to show a fresh perspective on the Hindu festivals such as Panguni Uthiram and Thaipusam, which have gained notoriety in the recent years.
Director, Writer: Rishiikanthan S/O Vijayahkumar
Producer: Shafna, A. Aravind
DP: Sim Xi Zhe
Editor: Chelsea Ee
Cast: Haridas S/O Vijayahkumar
Film Festival Awards:
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Singapore Heritage Film Competition 2015 1st Runner Up
Film Festivals Appearances:
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Bicara Titian Budaya (Forum on Engaging Singapore-Malaysia Artistic and Cultural Communities)
Offline Exposure:
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Nominated for Best Documentary in the National Youth Film Awards 2015, Screening at Library@Esplanade
About the filmmaker
Rishii, the director of Beneath The Spikes.
He recently discovered a passion for filmmaking. He believes that there are stories all around us. Stories that often goes untold. As a filmmaker, he feels that it is his duty to shed some light on these hidden gems. Hence, he is glad that he had the opportunity to do just that when he filmed Beneath The Spikes. As Rishii continues his journey as a young filmmaker, he hopes to uncover more gems, more stories that he hopes will be thought provoking and an inspiration to all of us.
