Akunta - An Animated Student Short Film
Project Overview
Akunta is an animated, narrative short film produced by students from the Cleveland State University School of Film & Media Arts.
In 1652, Dutch colonists ransack a small South African village, leaving young boy named Akunta as the sole survivor. Prompted by the spirit of his father, he must embark on an epic quest for vengeance, guided by the strange bug, Mantis. Along his journey, Akunta encounters increasingly surreal creatures and obstacles. This causes him to confront the darker aspects of himself that go beyond a noble desire for justice.
The film revolves around the San people of Southern Africa and a core part of the film’s intention is to preserve their culture.
The events of the film are inspired by real San history and mythology. Akunta will be animated in a method directly based on San rock art, paying respect to the style and storytelling that inspired us.
IMPORTANT: The film will be spoken entirely in the Zulu language (except for Dutch for the role of The White Man). All actors should be able to speak both Zulu (for the voice lines) and English (for communicating with me).
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Akunta (13) is our protagonist. He is a young boy that has big aspirations. After witnessing the death of his family at the hands of colonists, he is determined to track them down and take revenge.
- male child
- animation/character
Ikuphi indoda emhlophe?
Kwamele ngibulale indoda emhlophe. Ngoba yona ibulale ubaba wami.
Ngingu Akunta, Bangibiza uAkunta.
Mantis is a talking praying mantis that Akunta meets in his journey. He is an archetypal helper for our adventurous protagonist, like Glinda in the Wizard of Oz. However, Mantis has a deceptive air to him. This character cannot be trusted, he aims to tempt Akunta and lead him astray.
- male adult
- Sly
- Deceptive
- Tricky
Kwenzeka njani, kuthi umfanyana omncane azithole ekude, ekude ne khaya?
Ngiyisandulela. Bangibiza. Isandulela. Ngenza inyanga. Ngenza impofu. Ngenza izinkinga. Mfanyana omncane.
Ungaphumi kulomhumo, mfanyana omncane ukuyofuna ukuphindiselela ubaba wakho. Nboba uzofa.
The Eland-Man is a mysterious, mythological character. He dwells by the Ancient Tree of Creation, never making himself seen to humanity. Akunta comes across him in his journey, and the Eland-Man seeks to offer him counsel, whether Akunta will hear it or not. He is wise, ancient, and shrouded in mystery.
- male adult
- wise
- Mysterious
- dark
- ancient
Kwenzeka kanjani, ukuthi umfanyana omncane azithole ekude, ekude nekhaya lakhe.
Kuncono izinyathelo ezihamba ziqonde, futhi zigezekhe kunalezo ezigwegwile mase ziyahlala.
Wena sithwalambiza, namaqhinga akho! Ongafundiseki, ongalawuleki! Ongalungiseki, onemilingo! Wena sandulela, onobuqili!
Akunta's father is a wise and caring man. He aims to teach his stubborn young son important life lessons. After his death, his spirit comes back to prompt Akunta to seek vengeance for him and finally put his soul to rest.
- male adult
- wise
- caring
- strong
Ngengathi sonke.
Sonke masifa siba abantu bomoya.
Ndodana yami, kumele ungiphindiselele. Phindiselela ukubulawa kwami okubi nokungemvelo.
The White Man is a Dutch Boer: a colonist that came to South African in 1652. He leads a siege on Akunta's village, leaving Akunta as the sole survivor. He is ruthless, aggressive, and evil.
- dutch
- male adult
- aggressive
- Ruthless
- Intimidating
Klaar... schieten!
Laat hem niet ontsnappen!
The Narrator is a senile old man that lives in a dark cave. He only draws on the walls, talking to himself. He is obsessed with the story he illustrates, telling it to us, the audience, as he draws his mysterious pictures.
- male adult
- Old
- senile
- decrepit
Nkuba uleli emlilweni, inyama yakho iyavutha, Nakuba ulele lapho emalahlini abomvu.
Isikhumba sakho sinamabhamuza, amathambo akho asemyama. Kukufanele wena ohlezi efuna imphi
The Leader is the head of the mysterious Cult of the All-Devourer. They live in a small secluded village, awaiting the one who will bring out the All-Devourer, the ancient giant that they worship. The Leader sees Akunta as their chosen one, and is beyond overjoyed when he arrives at their village.
- male adult
- calm
- unsettling
- Crazy
Usefikile! Ekugcineni, Usefikile!
Ungubani igama lakho? Igama lakho lesinto?
Uyalithanda ivumba lakho.
The Captive is taken captive by the Cult of the All-Devourer. Akunta comes across them, and The Captive tries to convince Akunta to set them free.
- female adult
- male adult
Ngikhulule, khona sizohamba sobabili.
Ngikhulule, mase sihamba ndawonye.
Yima, mfanyana omncane.
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