The short film ‘My Responsibility,’ directed by structural engineer Devegowda, is gaining international recognition for its message on the mindful disposal of plastic waste. The film, which was shot in a single day and cost over 1.2 lakh was inspired by the crucial, yet often overlooked role of rag-pickers in the environmental ecosystem.
Film Core Message and Setting
The movie is set against the backdrop of a World Environment Day celebration at a government school. The plot features a rag-picking child who walks into the school amidst competitions and debates. He highlights the stark contradiction between the students’ theoretical discussions about the environment and the actual, indiscriminate plastic disposal that occurs in reality.
Devegowda stated that the film is an attempt to create awareness that it is the responsibility of every citizen to mindfully dispose of plastics, noting that without rag-pickers, “our water bodies and soil would have been polluted beyond repair.”
Awards and International Screenings
The film has already been successful on the festival circuit:
• International Film Festival of Telangana: Devegowda won the ‘Best Director’ award.
• International Film Festival Bay of Bengal: The film won an award in the ‘Best Concept’ category.
• The short film is scheduled to be screened at two upcoming international film festivals:
• British Columbia Environmental Film Festival in Vancouver.
• International Environmental Film Festival in Barcelona.
Prominent Endorsement
The movie features a message from Mysuru Member of Parliament Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, who readily agreed to appear at the end of the film to urge viewers to be mindful while disposing of plastic waste. The director is also planning to screen the movie at schools adopted by Wadiyar and at government schools across Karnataka.
The director is actively seeking to release the film on big YouTube channels to reach a wider audience.