Lion In The Tent

2013, 20 minutes

Aamir is bullied for his Michael Jackson obsession, abandoning his one friend to make it stop. However, only through this friendship he can ‘beat it’.

Aamir (14) is a Punjabi boy in a bright red Thriller jacket who loves Michael Jackson. The problem is, his father’s takeaway is failing and his devotion to Jackson has made him an easy target for Tayab, the bully. Our fast-paced tale takes Aamir from victim to victor. It starts when Aamir is pranked by Tayab into delivering an expensive order of curry to a Chinese restaurant. Aamir's father encourages him to confront Tayab and get the money they are owed. But a physical battle was never going to end well for our slight hero. Thankfully nor does it for our tormentor. Tayab’s father, angry and embarrassed, punishes the bully: six in the morning at the Mosque to call the community prayer for a week. And if Tayab fails? His father promises he will be banished to Birmingham to live with his uncle. 6am starts are not for Tayab. However, threatening Aamir so that he records the call to prayer to a CD, could work. Tayab can set the CD to play instead of waking up to sing it.

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