Published Dec 10, 2024 | 2:10 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 10, 2024 | 2:35 PM
Hanna at the preview of the documentary. (X)
Vinu Janardanan’s documentary film Hanna premiered during the 16th International Documentary Short Film Festival in July this year had gained recognition for its socially relevant topic of breast milk donation.
The documentary aims to raise awareness about the need for breast milk donation for needy children who don’t have access to mother’s milk.
Recently the documentary was screened in Kochi, and the intimate preview was attended by guests including music director Bijibal, musician Sreevalsan J Menon, senior film journalist Maneesh Narayanan, journalist Dhanya Varma, actor Neerja Rajendran, and Vincent Chittilappilly of Newton Cinemas.
Vinu Janardanan’s documentary film features the real-life experience of Hanna Shinto, an echocardiographer at Ernakulam General Hospital.
Hanna hailing from Perumbavoor participated in the novel initiative of breast milk donation at Nectar of Life, the human milk bank set up at the Ernakulam General Hospital, and inspired many lactating mothers to help children who lack access to breast milk.
A still from the documentary. (Instagram)
The documentary has its message loud and clear— the need for breast milk donation and breaking the taboos around it.
Hanna, who was present at the screening, shared that she discussed the idea of donating breast milk with her husband, who supported it.
She further added that she felt happy knowing other kids were benefiting. She also mentioned that people from neighbouring districts came to the collection centre in Kochi.
In the documentary, Hanna explained the difficulty of having excess milk and how she decided to donate it. She said that although she hadn’t seen all the children, she could feel the joy in their smiles.
Hanna was also felicitated during World Breastfeeding Week in 2023.
Vinu Janardanan is a known name in the media field and has worked as a host and producer of popular TV shows. He learned about the breast milk donation bank and Hanna through a news report.
Hanna with her family at the 16th International Documentary Short Film Festival. (Instagram)
The director then contacted Hanna and her husband to seek their support to make the documentary. Vinu said that he was not sure if the couple would agree, but they did, and the documentary became a reality. The documentary was shot in Perumbavoor, where the couple resides.
He further added that he wanted to make a message-oriented documentary so that the awareness reaches more people.
The film gives an insight into the factors that led Hanna to take up this initiative. It then details the process of preserving the collected breast milk in the words of the in-charge nurse at the milk bank.
Before milk donation, mothers who come forward undergo various tests. The milk is collected using breast pumps in a sterilised room. It is then pasteurised and stored in a deep freezer before delivering to infants and this is based on the direction of doctors.
The documentary also tries to break the stigma attached to donating breast milk. Hanna’s husband who was also present at the screening said that even his mother didn’t want everyone to know that Hanna was donating her breast milk because she thought others in the society would find it wrong.
The first collection centre was opened at General Hospital Ernakulam in 2021. Later breast milk collection centres were opened at Kozhikode, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram.
Sreevalsan J Menon, appreciating the initiative, director and Hanna, suggested that the documentary should be shown to technology-related startups so that they can come up with innovative ways to take the initiative forward. Bijibal too appreciated Vinu for choosing to speak on breast milk donation and applauded Hanna for setting an example.
A poster of the documentary ‘Hanna’. (Supplied)
Journalist Dhanya Varma, who was present at the preview shared her experiences of being a mother and the need for awareness to donate breast milk. Meanwhile, actor Neeraja Rajendran hugged Hanna during the event expressing her happiness.
Vinu told South First, he is trying to have a commercial release for the documentary film and get maximum screening opportunities. He said it includes screening at Colleges, IT parks, and schools. He stated that he is also looking to release the documentary via OTT platforms as it’s a topic that needs international attention.
The intimate preview was attended by people from different walks of life including teachers, entrepreneurs, doctors and techies.
The docufilm is produced by Anoop Raveendran and Vinu Janardanan under Leafy Stories, and co-produced by Sumesh Lal. The cinematography is done by Aneesh Chandran and the editing is by Sudheesh MS. The music is composed by Madhuvanthi Narayanan.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)
