Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: Filmmaker Biswanath Rath, who hails from Jeypore district, has received many awards for his social ad film titled ‘The Right Glass’ at state as well as global film festivals months after its premiere. The silent film was produced by a Bhubaneswar-based NGO.
The film, 80 seconds in duration, is based on the theme of child rights. It is a stark reminder of the inviolable rights that each and every child is born with and society’s responsibility of protecting those rights. It also harps on the fact that social units like the family and community have a role in ensuring that no child is denied his/her basic rights.
Produced in 2015, the film received the ‘Children Choice Award’ at the Kallola Short Film Festival held in Bhubaneswar. The festival was organised by UNICEF, Orissa, in collaboration with an NGO and the award was given away by Governor SC Jamir.
Writer and director of the film, Rath received the ‘Best Fiction Film’ award for the ad film at Srishti Short Film Festival also held in the state capital from National award-winning filmmaker and director of Film Society of Bhubaneswar, Subash Das. Noted filmmaker Sabyasachi Mahapatra and popular actor and MP Siddhanta Mahapatra appreciated the short film’s concept, presentation and direction at the festival.
That apart, the silent ad film has already been officially selected and screened at a number of international film festivals in India and abroad. Recently, it was screened at the BlackBird International Film Festival in New York. Besides, it has also been screened at Jagran Film Festival. Moreover, ‘The Right Glass’ was highly appreciated at prestigious film festivals including the Kolkata International Film Festival, Development Film Festival, Madurai, and AMU International Film Festival held in Aligarh.
Director Biswanath was overwhelmed by the appreciation the ‘The Right Glass’ has garnered and the awards it has received. Talking about the film, Rath said, “Child labour is one of the major issues in today’s India. It prevails everywhere. But people are still ignorant of the dimensions of the problem. ‘The Right Glass’ was an attempt to raise awareness about the issue.”
He also dwelt on the significance of the title: “Sunglasses shield our eyes from the sun’s rays. Likewise, ‘The Right Glass’ prevents us from realising or seeing the most important right of a child: The right to education,” he said.
Rath is a passionate writer, lyricist, actor and director whose ambition it is to direct films based on Indian culture and tradition in general, and Oriya culture in particular. At present, he is writing the script of his first feature film.
Rath was also garnered appreciation for his debut short film ‘Kar Bhalaa’ which was screened at 13 international film festivals.