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Young World
Kids get a lensview
MADHUMITA SRINIVASAN
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“Got You!” a short film scripted by children takes a light-hearted look at a HIV positive child who seeks acceptance in her society.
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Tackling issues: Short film with a message.
"AIDS’ and ‘comedy’ are the last words that you would think of using in the same sentence. But the kids who were responsible for the short film “Got You!” made the combination work. World Vision India, as a part of its ADP and HIV project, chose 25 children from Chennai and Vellore to be part of a ten-day camp at Mahabalipuram. The kids, who were chosen through a Talent Hunt programme, were introduced to various issues like chil
d labour, abuse, AIDS and express it using the media.
The training was provided by Nalandaway Foundation. “Got You!” scripted by the children is a short film that takes a light-hearted look at a HIV positive child who seeks acceptance in her society. The HIV positive protagonist is portrayed as a prankster who teaches her Physical Education teacher a lesson about the inclusion of HIV positive people.
Convey the message
Five of the children, students of Sacred Heart (tamil medium) school, were present for the screening wherein they watched their brainchild materialise for the first time. Their participation in the film-making process extended till the story ideation and basic scripting. Reacting to the film, Roseline, a student of Std X says, “It is better than we expected.” Her schoolmates Preethi, Valarmathi, Sahana and Eamimal nod in agreement. They also say they chose comedy to convey the message as they felt that it would reach the audience better.
The children at the camp were divided into four groups and asked to come up with scripts based on any theme for their short film. One was based on child labour, the other on AIDS and the other two dealt with child abuse. This shows the level of impact the camp has had on their minds. “They are more confident now and even take up some responsibility,” says Celine, Principal, Sacred Heart Matriculation School.
One of the children in the group, not present during the presentation, was HIV positive and from her earnest tone over the phone, one could make out that she did really have a good time at the camp. Seems like the other children interacted with her as they would have with any other child.
But why were children given the responsibility to come up with a way to convey the message? “Children see an issue differently and it is their voice that is the strongest. So we felt that we had to create a platform for them and engage them in the issue as well,” explains Jayanth Vincent, Director - Media Relations, World Vision India. And these children certainly haven’t let them down.
“Got You!” was first screened at the World AIDS Day Global Vigil held at Delhi last year.
The film is to be dubbed in other regional languages and distributed to World Vision centres across the country.
Copies are available to anyone who wishes to buy it.
For more information call
24807070/42287070
Website: www.worldvision.in
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