About 8 short films based on same-sex relationships will be screened in schools of Kolkata to promote ‘inclusive education’, reported The Times of India.

The said films have been directed by four people, namely, Salim Shekh, Manish Chowdhury, Saptarshi Ray and Avijit Marjit. Shekh had directed 3 short films, namely, ‘Dwitiyo Purush’, ‘Dekha’ and ‘Dakkhina’ while Chowdhury had shot ‘Dhora Pore Gechi Aami‘, ‘Dutto‘ and ‘Deya Neya‘. Saptarshi Ray directed the film ‘Durbin‘ and Avijit Marjit had directed ‘DumbBell.’ All four directors are reportedly students of a UNICEF and Adobe-supported studio named Prasayam Visual Basics. The 8 films were shortlisted for Prayasam’s Bad and Beautiful World Festival and will be screened at schools once they reopen.

Salim Shekh’s ‘Dekha’, for instances, records a meeting between an estranged father and his gay son. ‘Dakkhina’ explores the concept of dignity of a male escort who is driven around the city by an elderly man. “Some of my friends who are male escorts have insisted that self-respect is very important for them. By making this film, I wanted to break the myth that society has about their self-esteem for their life’s choices,” said its 23-year-old director Salim Shekh.

‘Durbin’ is edgy. It explores how a journalist opens up to his live-in partner about the crisis in his life after the demise of his father who, he learnt, was involved in a rewarding relationship with his friend. Its 24-year-old director Saptarshi Ray told TOI that getting the casting and locations were challenging. “Actors went back after listening to the storyline. That’s why it is all the more important to screen these films so that these inhibitions are done away with,” Ray said.

‘Deya Neya’ brings in the class difference within the ambit of a developing relationship between a man and a food delivery boy. “In just over 15 minutes, I have tried to explore how socio-economic hurdles pose as greater problems for thriving of such relationships,” said its 24-year-old director Manish Chowdhury.

While speaking about the matter, Prasyam’s Director Prasanta Roy stated, “The main objective of the screenings is to promote inclusive education so that LGBTQ youth do not feel isolated or unwanted.” The Times of India reported that the short films portray fictionalised stories highlighting same-sex relationships and explore topics such as identity crisis, child abuse, companionship and more. The films will be premiered next month on December 3 at Kalanjali Art Space.

One twitter user Swati Goel Sharma wrote to Priyank Kanoongo who is the Chairperson of National Commission for Protection Of Child Rights (NCPCR), Govt. of India saying "Same-sex or heterosexual, why should these films be shown to children in the name of education? Kindly take note, @KanoongoPriyank" to which Pryank Kanoongo have replied "noted".

References:

timesofindia.indiatimes.com - TNN
opindia.com - OpIndia Staff