2 Films Spreading awareness about HIV/AIDS in Indian Panorama

November 21, 2010

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Using the power of Cinema to highlight and raise awareness about the normal life

ahead for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) are the 2 films from the

North-Eastern states at the 41st IFFI 2010. The two documentaries have been

shortlisted in the Indian Panorama section in the non-film category.

While Mr. India (2009), a documentary, gives a window into the life of K.H.

Pradip Kumar Singh who battled HIV to rebuild his life and sculpt his body.

Going The Distance (2010), a digital film in Nagamese revolves round the life of

a lady named Nukshinaro who is living with HIV/AIDS, and is an attempt to

portray her life's journey- physical, emotional and spiritual journey as she

moves ahead in life.

In Going the Distance, the director of the documentary Ms. Tiainla Jamir

effectively utilizes the 24 min duration to convey Nukshinaro's journey of life

right from the day when she discovered her HIV positive status in the month of

June 2005.From then onwards, life was not the same for her.

However, she courageously decided to step up and walk towards her own destiny.

Her status made her even bolder and emotionally stronger. Today, she is living a

normal and positive life leaving behind all her past deeds. The central theme of

the documentary is `Journey'.

The issues of stigma and discrimination being faced by PLHIV have been brought

out effectively in the film.

Ms. Jamir has worked earlier with All India Radio and has over a dozen

documentaries to her name.

Mr. India, a Manipuri film of 47 minute duration is a story of life of

Khundrakpam Pradip Kumar Singh after he discovered that he was infected with HIV

virus in March 2000.

" I was too young when I committed the mistake of taking drugs and sharing a

syringe. But should you let one mistake spoil your entire life? I didn't want

to " , says Singh. Defying doctors who had warned him against the rigors of body

building, Pradip joined a gymnasium.

Nine years down the line, Kh. Pradip Kumar has several achievements to his

credit, including the 'Mr. Manipur' title in 2007. Resolved to win the `Mr.

India' title, Pradip is an inspiration for thousands of people living with

HIV/AIDS in his home state of Manipur.

The Director & Producer of the film is Mr. Haobam Paban Kumar, an alumnus of

SRFTI, Kolkata and has won several awards.

RS

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