Mental well being points equivalent to melancholy and nervousness are subjects which might be nonetheless unstated of. People who endure extreme emotional turmoil, endure in sheer loneliness as they sink within the quicksand of helplessness and despair. Still Alive, a brief movie a part of the Indian Panorama part of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), by means of its 27 minutes steady shot, offers a window to expertise the development of melancholy resulting in the ideation of suicide.
The psychodrama has the protagonist, 28-year-old Meera, distraught after the top of her relationship of 5 years, taking the plunge to finish her life after a number of futile makes an attempt to succeed in out and mend issues. However, the secondary character, the ocean, is unwilling to let that occur.
A nonetheless from the quick Still Alive.
Still Alive is Onkar Diwadkar’s second movie, which premiered on the twenty sixth Kolkata International Film Festival earlier this 12 months. It is rooted deeply in his personal private experiences with melancholy. The 25-year-old director entered the movie circuit with Mrugajal – In The Land Of Mirage in 2019, a brief movie which explores portray by means of the connection between a mentor and protégé. The movie was formally chosen and screened within the worldwide competitors class on the twenty fifth Kolkata International Film Festival and the twelfth Jaipur International Film Festival.
“Whenever we talk about emotional turmoil or suicide, we just see the things at the periphery as we do not really know the complete background, the psychological state of the individual. In fact, even in visual representation, only some are able to convey what exactly is going on inside them. My attempt was just to create a window with the 27-minute continuous shot, where the viewer is able to witness the changes happening within the character and the fall of one’s state of mind and how the character strives to overcome it,” mentioned Diwadkar.
The script not solely replicated Diwadkar’s first-hand expertise and his understanding of the varied aspects of melancholy but additionally had essential items sourced from cautious remark and analysis. “From my observation among my friends and colleagues, I derived the concept of relationship issues in the film. To further the authenticity, I was in touch with the Institute of Psychological Health (IPH) and their helpline unit, Maitra,” mentioned the director.
Shot at Vengurla seashore, the 30-minute movie has a number of pure parts that not solely elevates the visible aesthetics of the movie but additionally compliments the general theme. There is excessive tide within the sea whereas the sky picks a darkish shade of gray, when the protagonist performed by actor Pooja Raibagi decides to kill herself.
“It was a challenging shoot, as we were very dependent on the elements of nature. Despite the fact that we took all permits and safety measures, it was a prerequisite for the actor who was going to be part of the film to be brave and have the strength to not only endure the physical challenges but also understand the complexities of the character. Pooja Raibagi not only absorbed herself into the character but also retained it for the long continuous shot of the film to convey the primary intention. As far as the weather, all I can say is that it was an unplanned blessing,” he mentioned.
The documentary filmmaking alumnus from the University of Mumbai mentioned that whereas making the movie, he realised that though the emotional assist helplines are there to assist folks in misery, they too are restricted. “Sometimes there are limitations from the sufferer’s side too. The reality is, like in the film, that the helpline worker is willing to help but is unable to. It also highlights that if the person is not receptive of help, it gets difficult to cross that bridge,” mentioned Diwadkar.
The filmmaker mentioned that the work he has completed is to satisfy the unique intention behind the movie and that it helps in opening a dialogue, if not change the lots utterly.
“Often, we do not recognise someone’s need for emotional support. It is often ridiculed or ignored, which later is something not under anybody’s control. Everything is a game of belief and that is the reason why I think that one should tend to their mental health. Unlike a physical wound, it cannot be seen but it does not mean it is not there. There is also a preconceived belief among many that people go to the sea to give up their lives. But it is not unless you reach a certain depth that the water body engulfs you. The film is called Still Alive, synonymous to a second chance at life, both figuratively and literally, as the sea will never let you die easily. So no matter the highs and lows, one can wipe out the past, start anew and be still alive,” concluded Onkar.
