After a devastating earthquake, Nga, an old elephant and probably the last of its species, and Sanra, his mahout, are about to embark on a journey to find the mythical elephant’s graveyard. The group of poachers following them will die one after the other under mysterious circumstances and spells.Read More »
Sinhala
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Carlos Casas – Cemetery (2019)
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Sumitra Peries – Gahanu Lamai (1978)
A rather sad tale of impossible love from first-time director Sumitra Peries, wife of famed Sri Lankan director Lester James Peries. A boy and girl fall for each other though they know this can never be. She belongs to a lower social strata than he does. The film is basically her reflections on this failed love affair.Read More »
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Lester James Peries – Rekava (1956)
A Palme d’Or contender in 1957, “Rekava” is the first “real” Sri-Lankan film as distinguished from the Indian film industry. It’s the first Sri-Lankan film to be shot outdoors and the first film by legendary director Lester James Peries. “Rekava” is a visual poem on village life and local mysticism. The central narrative follows a young boy’s rise and fall as a kind-of unlikely healer. The striking finale which features the “Daha Ata Sanniya” ritual is one of the most unusual and impressively realized sequences in all of cinema.Read More »
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Dharmasena Pathiraja – Bambaru Avith AKA The Wasps Are Here (1977)
Set in a fishing village named Kalpitiya, explores tradition and exploitation because of capitalism in this small village.Read More »
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Prasanna Vithanage – Ira Madiyama (2003)
Based on true incidents, this film revolves around three sories that unfold simultaneously. During two scorching August days, three different groups of people – thrown into the heat of the war – face different exoeriences due to circumstances beyond their control. They have to continue to exist in a society that is traumatized by nearly twenty years of war between the Sinhalese government forces, and the rebel movement from the Tamil community who are fighting for self-determination.
An eleven year old Muslim boy is struggling to keep his dog, while the family is uprooted by the rebels; a young woman, Chamari, is looking for her soldier husband who is missing in action, and a young soldier, Duminda, finds his sister among the working girls in a brothel. This film is about their quest for life…
“Ira Madiyama” or “August Sun” screened at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2004.Read More »
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Linton Semage – Mage Wam Atha AKA Pickpocket [+Extras] (2001)
Quote:
Linton Semage’s drama Pickpocket stars a man who supports himself and his family by lifting wallets and handbags. Troubled by the ethics of his profession, he contemplates finding a more reputable line of work. During this moral quandary, he steals from a man who might be having an affair with his daughter. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
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