Teenager's film on child labour to be screened in Sydney

Kolkata, Aug 22 (IANS) A film on child labour by a 14-year-old resident of a home for destitute children here has been selected for screening at the Auburn film festival in Sydney.

Tapa Bhowmick's film 'We See' has been shortlisted in the best film category by the 10th Auburn International Film Festival for Children and Adults.

The teenager, who once worked at a noodle production factory, learnt the art of handling camera at a workshop conducted by an NGO Muktaneer.

In 'We See', Tapa said though the authorities swear by letting the children do what they want, in reality many children are forced to slog it out as child labourers.

'There are child labourers in many parts of the world. My film is a protest against the system,' he said. However, Tapa is not sure whether he can go to Australia during the screening of the film in September.

Rinku Baba Mondal, who is also a resident of the destitute home, has done the shooting for the film. 'Taking shots has always been my fantasy so when I got the opportunity to shoot the film it was like a dream come true,' he said.

Swapan Mukherjee, who heads the NGO, said the festival authorities have selected 60 films out of 350 films from 40 nations. These include 'We See' for the best film made by children in the age group of 6-14 years.

The NGO had earlier produced three films - 'Aami', 'Amra' and 'Inner Eye' - shot and directed by children, which have won awards at various international film festivals.

Copyright  IANS

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