Kolkata film fest offers peep into lives of disabled

A bouquet of more than 20 films offering fresh insights into lives of people with disabilities is being screened here as part of the festival of International Short Films on differently-Abled that began Tuesday.

"The Way We Live - Mark II/Indian Edition" has been brought to the city by Goethe Institut, Max Mueller Bhavan, Kolkata, in collaboration with Nandan West Bengal Film Centre.

According to a statement issued by the institute, the event has been curated by Gregor Kern, authority on disability cinema, from Germany and noted Indian theatre actor and psychiatrist Mohan Agashe.

Kern is the former director of the film fest.

"Viewing a good film is a non-invasive tool of learning, particularly about inclusive society," said Agashe.

Films that have been showcased in the Munich chapter of the festival are part of the three-day screening here.

Following the special showing, Agashe and Kern are scheduled to spearhead discussions on issues pertaining to the differently-abled.

Post the Kolkata leg, the show will travel to Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram and Bangalore.