This film is part of Free
Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine Film
Indian medical film about the parasitic disease kala azar
Overview
Kala azar (Hindi for ‘black fever’) - also known as visceral leishmaniasis - is a deadly disease caused by a parasite transmitted to humans in the bite of an infected female sandfly. Endemic in India, Nepal and Bangladesh, it lowers immunity, causes fever, anaemia, liver and spleen enlargement, and if left untreated, it kills. Filmed in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and rural areas across Bengal, this (possibly incomplete) film was produced by the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine and examines the treatment of the disease and the conditions that provide a happy home for the sandfly.
Related
Boat Repairs - Sunderbans Boat Repairs - Sunderbans
Amateur film 1935 11 mins Silent
Stunning colour footage showing colonial life in the hills of Assam and bustling activity on the lakes below
Devil Dancers of Sikkim Devil Dancers of Sikkim
Travelogue 1934 9 mins
Hear the Lama band, see the sacred dances: welcome to Sikkim, in the shadow of the Himalayas.
Sir John Laing Missionary Films Calcutta, Darjeeling & Bihar Sir John Laing Missionary Films Calcutta, Darjeeling & Bihar
Amateur film 1947 12 mins Silent
Rare amateur footage of East India
Darjeeling: A Foothill Town Darjeeling: A Foothill Town
Travelogue 1934 10 mins
Evocative travelogue exploring life at the foot of the Himalayas, including tea gardens and a Buddhist shrine
Panorama of Calcutta, India, From the River Ganges. Panorama of Calcutta, India, From the River Ganges.
Non-Fiction 1899 2 mins Silent
One of the earliest films to be shot in India apparently shows the Calcutta ghats - or does it?
Scenes at his Excellency the Viceroys's Garden Party at Belvedere Scenes at his Excellency the Viceroys's Garden Party at Belvedere
Non-Fiction 1926 6 mins Silent
Indian high society enjoy themselves at a Calcutta garden party held to welcome the new Viceroy, Lord Irwin.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.