A short film made by the children of APJ Abdul Kalam Tribal International Residential School at Attappady has won accolades in a film festival on child rights organised by Educo India and the Department of Media Sciences at Anna University, Chennai.
The 5.16-minute film titled Missing Chapter was chosen for its gripping theme: should students be encouraged to ask questions about sensitive important matters?
The film made under the banner of the Student Media Lab has a group of students and teachers acting in it. Scripted by V. Guru Ramesh and directed and edited by Mankekandan P., Missing Chapter exposes a trend seen among a section of teachers to discourage students from asking sensitive questions.
The film shows how a class teacher, with the support of the school Principal, alienates a group of students for asking questions about human reproduction. The teacher cleverly skips the chapter and avoids explaining details about human reproduction. The questions raised by the students, according to the teacher and the Principal, are stupid and unnecessary.
Even when underscoring the importance of imparting sex education among adolescent children, the film reminds the teachers of their responsibility in addressing the doubts among children. The film ends on a positive note when the children’s parents decide to take on the teachers legally.
The school authorities and the children will receive the award for the film at a function to be held at Anna University campus on February 6.
Students Sinimol has done the lead role, when her friends Niteesh, Akash, and Darneesh have played supporting roles.
