Onkar Diwadkar's short film Still Alive was screened at the Indian Panorama non-feature section of the 51st edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa this year.
The 25-year-old filmmaker spoke about the film at length after the screening. “My film tells the story of a young protagonist who reaches the verge of suicide, leading to a psychological realization. The protagonist wants more to run away from her life situation than she wants to commit suicide, but we cannot escape our situation. We need to go through our situation and overcome it, with the help of a realization (sic),” he said
The 27-minute was shot in a single take. Explaining his reasons for telling the story in a continuous shot, Diwadkar said that this was necessary in order to showcase the journey of the person with suicidal tendencies.
The film, which explores themes such as mental health, depression and suicide ideation, had its world premiere at the 26th Kolkata International Film Festival earlier this year.
The psychodrama sees the protagonist, Meera, in torment after the end of a five-year relationship. After attempts at reconciliation with her boyfriend fall flat, she tries to end her life by drowning, but the sea is unwilling to let that happen.
Diwadkar also spoke about the film's cinematic elements and their role in creating an impact. “My aim has been to create an impactful experience for the audience, besides telling the story. Elements are more important than a story. Every element expresses something. Some elements together make a picture that creates a new impact or experience. The sea in this film is the ‘element’ which is mysterious and vast, giving a thorough impact,” he added.
Still Alive is Diwadkar's second short film after Mrugajal – In The Land Of Mirage, which was officially selected and screened in the international competition category at the 25th Kolkata International Film Festival and the 12th Jaipur International Film Festival.