New Delhi: A hundred day film-making workshop conducted by the PVR cinemas for schools in Delhi shortlisted three films to be screened across theatres providing much needed, etiquettes and road safety lessons.
Veteran film actress and social activist Shabana Azmi along with the Deputy Ambassador of French Mission to India Jean Marc Sere Charlet gave away prizes in various categories recently. Speaking on the occasion Azmi lauded the PVR Nest, for engaging students in large number in such a meaningful and integrated way.
“Children are the real harbinger of change, there is no denying the fact that young children in Delhi are taking the lead, in the process,” said Shabana.
Highlighting negligence and “show-off adventurism” on roads, Azmi said, “in 2011 alone 5 lakh road accidents have been reported, out of which there were 1.2 lakh deaths.” “Accidents can be averted, there is nothing cool in mobile talking and driving,” added Shabana. Deputy Ambassador of French Mission to India Jean Marc Sere Charlet, stressed need of education in road safety and narrated how France mitigated road accidents.
“40 years ago, 20,000 people used to die every year in France due to accidents on roads. We managed to bring it to 4000. Learning at young age can create a safer society,” said Charlet.
“The situation of France improved through prevention and education on the subject,” Charlet added. The grand finale saw 10 movies of one-minute each, full of messages to be safe on roads, presented with humour, satire in brevity.
Heritage movie theatre, PVR Plaza hosted the finale, with well known personalities as jury, which included Shailaja Chandra, Former Chief Secretary of Delhi; MK Raina, theatre actor and Director, Onir, independent Film Director; Subodh Lal, Chairman of Road Safety and Emergency services and actor Sanjay Suri.
“Honker team” a film by Bal Bharti Public school and the NGO Prayas, depicts, menace of honking that every city dweller face every other day.
The film is a narrative on how “chauvinist car owners feel absolute bliss in honking and eliminating puny other elements ahead of them.”
The screenplay shows a man, driving and continuously honking even when the light is red. He realises his error when his son blows a toy trumphet in his ear.
Another film “Sudhar ja dude” made by Navy Children school and the NGO Vidya attempts to show how practises such as not wearing a helmet or talking over the phone while riding fast, to make a style statement can be dangerous. (PTI)
