Published on October 05, 2005

Exiled Sri Lankan director to present his film in Bangkok. Sri Lankan film director Vimuk-thi Jayasundara has vowed to attend the World Film Festival of Bangkok in three weeks time despite being forced to flee to France to escape possible persecution over his new film, “Forsa-ken Land”, which will be screened at the event. Despite his difficult situation, Jayasundara confirmed that he would attend the film festival between October 19-24.

“When we heard about

his predicament we were sorry, but it didn’t surprise us because the situation could happen

to anyone in Third World countries, including Thailand,” said Kriangsak Silakon, director of the World Film Festival of Bangkok.

According to a report on asiantribune.com, the Sri Lankan army warned the director and the film’s producer, Philippe Avri, to stop making films of that nature.

The theme of “Sulanga Enu Pinisa” (Forsaken Land) focuses on depression of an economical, spiritual and sexual nature. The misery expressed in the film has links to the decades-long civil war in Sri Lanka, which might have disturbed the army.

“If the film has anything to do with my country’s history, it is through its conveyance of the suspended state of being simultaneously without war and without peace - in between the two. I wanted to capture this strange atmosphere,” the director said after receiving an award at the Cannes Film Festival.

After it won the Prix Un Certain Regard award at Cannes, “For-saken Land” premiered in Sri Lanka on September 9.

The Sri Lankan National Film Corporation pulled the movie out of five main cinemas without giving a reason. Consequently, the producer cancelled the theatrical release of the movie in all theatres to protest the “unfair actions” of the film body.

The Free Media Organisation has issued a statement condemning the Sri Lankan army’s stance against the filmmakers and called for an immediate end to threats and intimidation. It also called on human rights activists to campaign for freedom of expression.

“Forsaken Land” will make its Thai premiere during the film festival at 3.30pm on October 20 at EGV Siam Discovery. The director will attend the show and be available for a question-and-answer session after the film. The second showing of the film is scheduled for 1pm on October 23 at the same venue.

“European filmgoers will love this film because his storytelling style has a European flavour [little dialogue and lots of cinematic language] although the film is authentic Sri Lanka,” Kriangsak said.

Veena Thoopkrajae

The Nation

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