Help us Write a Logline!

A good logline answers the question “What is your film about?” and it does it in a way that leaves people wanting to know more. Writing a good, concise, logline is hard. It’s the kind of thing which makes you wish that Peggy Olson was your best friend. Since she isn’t we’re turning to the internet. Help us write a good logline for our film, Please Don’t Beat Me, Sir!

We’ve already come up with five possibilites, let us know which one you like best, or maybe suggest an alternative in the comments. If you haven’t seen it yet, you should watch the trailer first. And there is some more background about the film here.

Here’s what we’ve come up with:

  1. The British called them “born criminals.” 60 million Indians still carry the stigma. In one community, a dedicated troupe of young people are using theater to fight back.
  2. Called “born criminals” by the British, the Chhara still live as outcasts. Now they are fighting back. With Theater.
  3. Like 60 million people in India, the young actors in this film grew up being told they were “born criminals.” Some even believed it. But the theater has shown them another possibility, and a way to fight back.
  4. Indian society calls them “born criminals,” but they call themselves “born actors.” A dedicated group of young people fights back against police brutality, discrimination, and history.
  5. Their parents gave everything to make sure they wouldn’t grow up to be thieves, but the stigma of being a “born criminal” makes it hard to do anything else. With nowhere to turn, a group of young people are using theater to fight for change.

Thanks for your help!

UPDATE: We’ve gone through all the feedback and it seems that #4 was the favorite, but everyone felt it should be a bit more “punchy”: Here is what we came up with:

  • Indian society calls them “born criminals.” They call themselves “born actors.” And they are fighting back — against police brutality, discrimination and history.

In situations where that is too long, we can cut off the part after the em-dash. Thanks again for all your feedback – in comments, on Twitter, Facebook, or via e-mail.