Global accolades for short film ‘Mask’
Short film titled Mask directed by Sweta Kumar Dash, a senior officer of the Odisha Admin-istrative Service, has won the prestigious International People’s Choice Award at the Quarantine Image Film Festival-2020 in Argentina.
The short film based on the current Covid-19 situation has brought pride and applause for Odisha from all around the world.
Masks have emerged as a significant tool in saving lives during the pandemic. Sensing the need for masks during these testing times, Sweta Kumar wrote the story and created the short film.
The bureaucrat who is now on a four-month deputation to Ganjam district for Covid-19 duty has managed to find time during leisure to write the script and direct the movie.
The 7-minute-18-second film depicts the struggle of a poor minor boy to sustain a livelihood for his family amid Covid-19 pandemic. The boy moves around the hustle-bustle of the city to sell masks in the day that were handstitched by his mother during night.
The film also shows how people were reluctant to purchase the masks because of its price.
Wonderful acting by Ajay Choudhury, a minor boy hailing from a poor family in Berhampur in Ganjam district, has received appreciation from all around the world.
“This kid who lives in the slum motivated me to make this short film. It is indeed sad that even today there are people who are not willing to spend a mere `20 to purchase a mask. This `20 could save their life. In order to add a touch of realism, I decided not to take any professional actor but approached Ajay and his family to be a part of this film. I am glad that our efforts are being appreciated globally,” Sweta Kumar said.
The protagonist of the movie, Ajay said, “The only way to survive Coronavirus is to make some basic changes in our lifestyle. What I want to urge the people is to wear masks whenever they step out, use sanitizer and maintain social distancing. I would like to thank Sweta sir for giving me an opportunity to express my story.”
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Governor Ganeshi Lal took to Twitter to congratulate the cast and crew of the film.
“Congratulations OAS officer Sweta Kumar Dash on winning the prestigious People’s Choice Award at the Quarantine Image Film Festival-2020 in Argentina for short film ‘MASK’. Appreciation for his effort to create awareness about using masks to prevent the spread of Covid19,” the Chief Minister tweeted. (sic)