Art & Media

We Care Filmfest–2008

Offering a glimpse into the lives of differently–abled persons is a two–day film festival that opens at India International Centre in the Capital on Wednesday. Unlike other films, here the protagonist himself would be a physically challenged person giving viewers a glimpse into his private life.

Thirty–eight films and documentaries on various issues concerning the lives of physically challenged persons would be screened at "We Care Filmfest–2008".

Filmmakers

These movies and documentaries have been made by filmmakers from Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Kanpur, Ahmedabad and, of course, the host city.

Filmmakers from China, Israel and Greece would also be screening their films and documentaries to sensitise Delhiites about the problems being faced by differently–abled persons.

Besides creating awareness about disability issues and fostering integration in society, the film festival aims to give a fillip to the rights of differently–abled persons. “Some of our films are highlighting the fundamental rights of persons with disability according to the local law. They also have the right to laugh, cry, work in offices and marry just like any other normal person. Despite being empowered with law, physically challenged persons are discriminated by society and sometimes are mocked at as they are not considered normal,” says 'We Care Filmfest' director Satish Kapoor.

Audience part of rating

While an independent jury headed by School of Convergence executive director Subodh Lal will be adjudicating these films, the audience will be part of a rating process. The public would be given the right to rate the films that would give an alternate opinion on the quality, content and portrayal of disability. A questionnaire would be given to them during the two–day festival.

Actor and theatre personality M. K. Raina of “Taare Zameen Par” fame will be the chief guest.

Source: Madhur Tankha, The Hindu, New Delhi, 20 February 2008.

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Mozhi

Mozhi is a brilliant film and brings many issues of urban India to the fore and the director has deftly handled 'disability'. He has done it with such sensitivity that the run–off–the–mill Indian films approach is not evident at all. Disability is portrayed not to evoke sympathy but rather to inspire the audience to live life with dignity.

The film is about Archana who can't speak, who does not want to speak and who has nothing to tell the world. It is not just 'disability' but also an inbuilt disgust for the world around her – that has disowned her. She builds walls around her and enjoys the tranquility of loneliness. Karthik, a young musician, falls in love with her and learns to appreciate her world of silence. Of course, he's had to 'unlearn' lots to get into her word and win her confidence. Sheela (Archana's close friend) and Viji (Karthik's close friend) are co–travelers in this journey.

Archana and Sheela teach precious lessons about attitudes towards life. And, like Karthik and Viji the audience too learns lessons.

Karthik: Archana explained her situation to me with so much of dignity and self–respect. I could see her belief in life, beyond her handicap. Today, I saw the same thing in Sheela

Viji: They are younger than us, but we have so much to learn from them

Where Archana falters, Karthik steps in. Won't life be a lot more better if all can learn from one another. This is a film you won't want to miss. Enter the inner world of 'broken–world' people and see what you can learn from them! Go! Grab a copy (No problem if you can't understand Tamil you've got English subtitles).

Source: Women's film festival in Chennai: Socially Challenged – Discussing Mozhi.

Accessed: http://movietheology.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/visually-challenged-discussing-mozhi/

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