In a near-future Botswana where water is rationed by law and families must deregister their own members to survive, a mother is forced to confront an impossible choice when her household exceeds the state's permitted number.
| Character | Type | Actor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mma Neo (The Mother) Mature woman. "The mathematics of love." Past tears — in territory of decisions. | Principal | Ellen N Magqazana | confirmed |
| Neo (Daughter) Still young, full of expectation. Senses the shift but cannot name it. | Principal | Palesa Rabantheng | confirmed |
| Kabelo (Son) Returns from city with nothing. Quiet shame of failure. Starts giving water to s | Principal | Thabo Matsampele | confirmed |
| Queue people; Neo understudy Depot workers / queue people | Supporting | Anita Rethabile Dithupe | cast |
| Queue people Depot workers / queue people | Supporting | Lethabo Kiara didimalang | cast |
| Role 6 Depot workers / queue people | Supporting | — | open |
| Role 7 | Supporting | — | open |
| Role 8 | Supporting | — | open |
| Role 9 | Supporting | — | open |
| Mma Neo (The Mother) | Supporting | — | open |
Fencing contractor site. Industrial/utilitarian — could work for dystopian water depot. Scouted by Kim 2 Mar.
Mentioned by Kim as another potential location.
FROM DIRECTOR / WRITER MEETING — 3 MAR 2026
| Item | Use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Translucent powder | Mattify skin — remove any healthy glow | buy |
| Baby powder / flour | Dryness texture on skin — dust into face, arms, hands | buy |
| Concealer + powder + lipliner | Cracked lips effect — lipliner for cracks, concealer to pale the colour | buy |
| Brown eyeshadow | Mix with water, dab into hand lines & knuckle creases for aged/calloused look | buy |
| Grey / purple eyeshadow | Under eyes — dehydration, sleeplessness, sunken look | buy |
| Brown pencil + aging kit | Wrinkle lines for Mma Neo — pencil in forehead, eye, mouth lines. She looks 10+ years older than her age. | buy + test |
Dusty and worn-out suit. Returning from city with nothing — covered completely in dust. Worn NCC certificate in hand. Carpentry tools wrapped in dirty blanket.
| Prop | Notes | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Digital board / screen | Display rationing numbers: "REGISTERED: 5", "REMAINING CAPACITY: 4%". Practical screen or VFX overlay. | build/vfx |
| Card scanner device | Device that scans registration cards / cards go through. Biometric checkpoint feel. Can be a repurposed card reader + LED light. | build/source |
| 1-litre plastic bottles | Water ration units — the currency of this world. Need 20+ for queue scenes. | buy |
| Registration cards | State ID / ration cards with family names printed. "NON COMPLIANT" stamp version too. | design+print |
| Guns | Guards / enforcement — need prop firearms | critical |
| Measuring cup | Water measurement — rationing precision | buy |
| Family picture | Emotional anchor for Mma Neo | buy |
| Two cups | — | buy |
| Shovel | — | borrow |
| Carpentry toolbox | — | borrow |
| Worn blanket | — | buy |
| Sewing machine | Family home dressing | borrow |
| A dress | — | buy |
| Book | — | buy |
| Marker | For writing on registration cards / boards | buy |
| Basin | Water collection / washing | buy |