Dose of reality: Sophia college students make films on social issues

Students of Sophia Institute of Social Communications Media (SISCM) have put together films on issues that many city women can easily identify with, such as lifestyle choices, single parenting and lack of public toilets.

Students of Sophia Institute of Social Communications Media (SISCM) have put together films on issues that many city women can easily identify with, such as lifestyle choices, single parenting and lack of public toilets.

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The film exhibition, that started on Thursday, features four documentaries— Streeyansathi, which deals with toilets for women in Mumbai,‘I’dentity, on the journeys of those with gender identity disorder, The Spirit of Women, on women and alcohol, and Parenting Solo on single parenting.

Jeroo Mulla, head, SISCM said, “It’s an initiative to keep students grounded to reality. We believe in practical teaching which is why we asked students to choose issues based on realism and changing trends in society.”

The event will also showcase social awareness campaigns undertaken by students on malaria, dengue, diabetes and tuberculosis, after consulting the municipal corporation’s public health department. Students who produced the films said their scripts were based on personal experiences. For instance, the film

Penaaz Damaniya, who made The Spirit of Women, said, “The reason I chose the topic was because I wanted to say that women have a right to choose and design their own lifestyle without following stereotypes laid down by society.”

Members of the audience were all praise for the students’ efforts. Vile Parle resident Sheetal Kedia, 21, who saw the day’s documentary said, “The film has helped me develop a rational perspective towards life.”