One Little Finger is a new drama from writer, director and producer Rupam Sarmah, which includes a diverse cast which of over 80 children and adults with disabilities and is based on real life stories.
Raina, an American neurologist, uproots her life to research music therapy in India, and ?nds herself teaching children and adults with disabilities. By bringing them together through music and inspiring them to challenge themselves through their abilities, their lives are transformed.
With the film due for release later I got an opportunity to ask one of the media partners Nick Scurr about his non-profit work with #Nicks_Music_Promo™ and what we can expect from the upcoming film One Little Finger.
Q. You are responsible for the non-profit online global music support promotion business #Nicks_Music_Promo™. How did the business come about and what do you do?
A. My non-profit business came about a number of years ago after the loss of my stepfather to cancer. My free services include promoting musicians and bands from around the world, which include my own official uniforms to offer free Twitter advertising for musicians and valued charities. Twitter account handles for these uniforms are worn with pride at every event festival I support, to give a little bit back to those who have contributed so much as that is important to me.
Where needed I offer free recordings to local musicians. I also offer support to festivals and events up and down the UK, finding musicians or any other support they need. I provide free online promotions for the event including musicians who are performing and offer free online ticket sales for events.
Most events I support are based around charities and people with values to help those less fortunate than myself. Values are special to me and why I founded my business.
Q. What has been some of the highlights with the business?
A. The Highlight for me is when I was contacted by Richard Branson in 2016 via a private message asking me to pitch to him directly in the Virgin Media #VOOM competition. My non-profit came 35th in the UK.
Stepping into radio on the Isle of Wight with no experience and with my dyslexia was a big Step for me, so I am thankful to the FM stations manager and their team at Vectis Radio for their training and support. I have now produced over 130 shows as a volunteer for them over a number of years and also have a new radio show on Beyond the Dawn Radio in LA California USA.
Other Highlights include my non-profit Wight Feather Festival which launched in 2017. It was created to help and Support Wessex Cancer Trust who helped me and my family during my wife’s battle with cancer after she was diagnosed in 2016. Another great highlight is my wife survived her battle and we count our blessings. Nick is thankful for the support from ITV during this time. YOu can see the original article here: https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2017-10-12/man-organises-charity-music-festival-after-wifes-cancer-fight/
This year my non-profit is now listed on the UKs leading business directory Yell and I have had a handful of 5 stars reviews that I’m truly grateful for.
During May Bank Holiday 2019 weekend at short notice, I did my best and Hosted a celebrity football charity match in aid of save the children UK at Millwall Football Stadium between Kirton vs The Stars of Celeb FC, I stayed with my good friend Ali Jacko former 5 times World Kickboxing Champion who agreed to award the Trophy to the winning team. A humbling proud moment.
The proudest moment to date is to have my non-profit business officially recognised as media partners for this new movie One Little Finger alongside White Feather Foundation UNESCO. I am also taken back that my name Nick Scurr is Featured in the credits of this movie under the names of music legends Julian Lennon and Quincy Jones. (Something I truly did not expect)
Over the years I have collaborated and made friendships with many, in and out of the music industry globally
Q. Despite broadcasting from the UK, you are a radio presenter on Beyond the Dawn, which deals a lot with a lot of musicians in the US and around the world. How did this transition across the pond occur?
A. I became a radio presenter producer On Beyond The Dawn Radio to help musicians from the Isle Of Wight UK and many other talented musicians and bands from around the world get that extra leg up, with a whole new listener base that is in collaboration with my non-profit organisation based on values.
The transition of becoming a radio presenter with this station, happened many years ago before I was involved as a presenter. I collaborated with the amazing station manager who kindly added me to their website as a thank you. So, I went back to where all the love began.
Q. As #Nicks_Music_Promo™ you are now moving into film and TV which includes the social media promotion for the film One Little Finger. Can you tell us a little bit about the film and what we can expect?
A. One Little Finger is not just a Film it is a new exciting movement! This inspiring colourful musical story will touch viewers hearts around the world, as it shows those with disabilities have got talented abilities. With over 80 child actors and actresses all with beautiful abilities. Viewers will feel excited and stay interested throughout the entire movie, lots of quality music, dancing, beautiful settings, something for every viewer to enjoy.
Q. The music credits in the film include artists such as Quincy Jones, and Julian Lennon, but it is also includes emerging artists such Elaine Eminger, who has not always been given an opportunity in the music industry. Can you tell us a little bit about Elaine?
A. Elaine Eminger Is A Talented Divine passionate old school Jazz Flutist who hails from Tampa Florida USA. Over many years Elaine has dedicated her life and heart to her flute and helping others less fortunate than herself, her healing spiritual performances inculpates any listeners and often gets standing ovations.
Elaine underwent life changing surgery on her back that left her with difficult mobility challenges, although this has not stopped Elaine from pushing her music forward and continuing to help others. Elaine loves performing on stage and asked me to become her manager 3 years ago. I agreed as we share the same values and I wish Elaine all the success she truly deserves. Elaine is proud have some of her music featured in this movie and is extremely thankful to the movie’s creator and director Rupam for his continued support.
Q. Do you have any other project you are working on?
A. I currently have a small involvement in Helping a valued cancer charity event for Your SIM Pal this November to be held at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington London.
Other than that, my projects are ongoing daily
ONE LITTLE FINGER – MAKING HISTORY MORE THAN 80 PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ACTING IN THE MOVIE
Over one billion people worldwide live with some form of disability, and the likelihood of experiencing disability at some stage in life pertains to everyone. Despite the large, global population dealing with disability, the surrounding stigma engrained in society detracts from the amazing ability of many individuals. One Little Finger challenges these norms, by ambitiously including over 80 persons with disabilities in the cast. These individuals represent a variety of conditions, including cerebral palsy, hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities, autism, down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, dementia, and others. The primary goal of this movie is to bring awareness of this important human rights issue, while promoting inclusion and diversity.
One Little Finger is a narrative feature ?lm (English) produced in the US and India, with a theme of “Ability in Disability”. The ?lm is written and directed by Dr. Rupam Sarmah, and based on real-life stories. Raina, an American neurologist, uproots her life to research music therapy in India, and ?nds herself teaching children and adults with disabilities. By bringing them together through music and inspiring them to challenge themselves through their abilities, their lives are transformed.
“Using ?lm media as a platform, we are allowing differently-abled people to act in this ?lm alongside local and international award-winning actors to promote inclusion and diversity. More than 80 children and young adults with disabilities have acted in this ?lm,”
Rupam says, “The movie was ?lmed over the course of ?ve years and across several locations in the US and India. Members of the cast and crew come from many different regions, namely Assam, Kolkata, South India, Mumbai, and the US. All characters with disabilities in the ?lm are portrayed by disabled cast members.” Tamela D’Amico is a Hollywood actress and appears as a lead in the movie. Oscar-nominated composer and actress, Siedah Garrett, plays the role of Dr. Claudia. Abhinaya is a South Indian actress who is also hearing impaired, and her character has the same disability. Similarly, Den, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and rare genetic disorders, plays a character with conditions resembling his. Jeeja also plays a character with cerebral palsy, which she herself has. Some other noted actors include Jonathan Stoddard, Malaya Goswami, Jaya Seal Ghosh, Pabitra Rabha, Soumili Ghosh Biswas, and Kushal Chakravarty.
The music is directed by Rupam Sarmah, who has made music therapy an integral part of the ?lm. Many Grammy and Oscar winning artists were involved in the making of the soundtrack, including Quincy Jones, Julian Lennon, Siedah Garrett, Kechi Okwuchi, Kevin Mackie, and Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.
The background score is composed by Stephen Melillo and Rupam Sarmah. The ?lm is edited by Arghyakamal Mitra and Debojit Dutta. The Director of Photography is Asim Bose. Additional Cinematographer is Ayan Pratap. The soundtrack consists of songs from various languages (Assamese, English, Bengali, Hindi) and genres (e.g. rock, pop, classical, world-folk). These songs feature performances by world-class musicians like Quincy Jones, Siedah Garrett, Kechi Okwuchi, Grant Smith, Lonnie Park, Jann Klose, Ruth Weber Choir, Anweshaa, Padmashri Sumitra Guha, Rupam Sarmah, Subhamita, Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta, and others. The sound design is done by Anup Mukherjee and Rupam Sarmah.
The ?lm has rapidly attained international recognition and praise. With over 27 laurels, One Little Finger has been of?cially selected at worldwide ?lm festivals in Los Angeles, Florida, Italy, London, Spain, Delhi, and others. Awards received include Best Film for Inspiration, Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Music, Best Song, and the Human Rights Award at various ?lm festivals, as well as three Telly Awards. The ?lm is Internationally premiered in Marché de Film – Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2019 and is scheduled to release in Los Angeles on Aug 16, 2019 at the Santa Monica Film Centre.
The director says, “It was quite challenging to start with unknowns as we had many children and young adults with various disabilities. Many people believe that disabled people are burden on society and they avoid them because they do not know how to act around them. Never underestimate their abilities. It opened my eyes. Our Thoughts – Words – Actions matter a lot. We are all going to face the challenges with disabilities as we age or take turns in our life. In fact, we all know someone, maybe our loved ones in our family, with some disabilities who needs our love: could be our parents, friends, brothers, sisters, or children. So, treat them well with respect as a human being, and give them love and a helping hand.”
One Little Finger has several worldwide media partners, including PRERONA Spastics Society, Monovikas Kendra, UNESCO Center for Peace, #Nicks_Music_Promo™, UNESCO-USFUCA, IN THE MIRROR MUSIC, ABERRANT SOUND, The White Feather Foundation, LBR Music, Forest Nation, BrownOut Studios, Barn Castle, Salami Studios, maZumba Media, RJ International, Rakshak Foundation, Enable India and others.
One Little Finger is not just a film, It’s a movement to break the barriers of the stigma of the word disability. All it takes is a change in perspective, a change in our mindset! Disability is only what we perceive, ability is everything of what we believe!”
You can find out more about One Little Finger on the website http://www.onelittlefinger.com/
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
