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| Wednesday, 10 November 2004 |
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Film review The youth without visa... Mille Soya (In search of wealth), A film by Boo Dee Keerthisena, A Buddhi Keerthisena Production by P. Wickramage
From Ravindra Randeniya, Sanath Gunatilaka, Sriyantha Mendis and Kamal Addaraarachchi plus Dilhani Ekanayaka and Sangeetha Weeraratna including Linton Semage, Roger Seneviratna, character actors like Victor Ramanayaka and Lakshman Mendis all are in it. So the glamour is there; after all Director Boo'di tries to present a film with entertainment and something to think of a bit. Boodi's film is full of an outsider's way of making a film for the masses. His feature is not an A to Z line up of a traditional story, but it is - in its own way. The theme of this film is a social phenomenon in the present Sri Lankan society; but it was in the past too. Social phenomenon In the forties or fifties we in our childhood came to know that who were jobless in the southern part of India swam across the Pork Strait, risking their lives and migrated illegally - to whom were called "Kalla Thoni" (slang - in Sinhala with a mix up of Tamil too - meant for illegal immigrants). They without any help within four-five years became "mudalalis" (wealthy men) purchasers of old newspapers and bottles, tins etc. which the ordinary Sri Lankans - especially the Sinhala people were not aware of this trade line. Popular Baila singer M. S. Fernando has sung a baila (which is not now heard over the radio because of ill feelings or hurting the minds) on this social phenomenon. At times we heard that one of the "mudalalis" had died in this swimming exercise (back to India) during the 1958 communal riots. In the present context the Sri Lankan society is lacking the old Ceylon's glory. Indians swam across the Palk Strait for seeking greener pastures in Sri Lanka. Alas! Ceylonese or Sri Lankans have lost that old glory, and are seeking to go abroad in search of greener pastures. Exchange earners As such Sri Lankan women including men became the biggest exchange earners for their motherland through foreign employment. The government has created a Foreign Employment Bureau for the training and welfare of the foreign employment seekers. Director Boodi's film discusses the "other side" of this social phenomenon - the illegal immigrants who try to seek foreign employment by hook or by crook. The Mexicans have become a social mess too. From Turkey there are illegal immigrants coming to the western Europe. In the Sri Lankan context Italy has become a "more attractive" place for seeking greener pastures - especially for the illegal immigrants. What Boodi tries to portray in this film shows that he is not just a film marker who wants to make "mille". Boodi tries to get into the depth of this social phenomenon - what is in its depth? In the beginning he shows us the youth without any vision. They try to be a music group or a band; but they are not professionals. They try to imitate - in the sense just to cover up their living. They are a total mess. Their elders ask them to help in the domestic affairs and become useful - which they consider unworthy as it doesn't bring them any "recognition". They get hold of an employment agent. They pawn their lands and homes to cover up the agent's fee. In between we see the domestic life of these youths. They live in ordinary houses - some thatched with cadjans. Their mothers seems to be the most suffering human beings on earth. These mothers are quite religious minded. They pray for their children's welfare. Politicians In these villages even the lower layer of the politicians seems to be gamblers.
They have quarrels, bomb attacks, knifing the opponents etc. What Boodi creates in this social set up is not of a well mannered, cultured and dedicated people's living. It's a struggle with everything. Under these circumstances these youth who are half-baked in every sense, the solution is to go abroad and earn more money to solve their problems. They are cheated by the employment agent. Somehow a group of five-six becomes only two or three when they reach their destination. Some die under tragic circumstances. With all these difficulties, after reaching their destination, what do they get in return? What type of jobs are available for them? It's the unskilled labourers job. They become dish washers and get such type of jobs. Within them, they are having disputes - quarrels and all sort of love affairs etc. apart from their odd jobs! Shattering all their dreams, one returns to his native land - but Boodi shows in a bit of piece within these circumstances there can be successors. We can only say God bless them. Boodi's film is a rare treat to the ordinary cinema spectators. As I experienced in a cinema close to Colombo city, the theatre was full of young viewers. May be young couples and there were some adults too - they seemed to be happy with what they saw. Boodi with a bit of humour which seems to be a special feature in his earlier film "Sihina Deshayen" (Dream Land) treats his theme and characters with a sense of entertainment. Thus he has created a film with film sense too. So as I said earlier it is a rare treat to ordinary Sri Lankan film viewers. **** Back **** |
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Produced by Lake House |
Dreams shattered - or how should we say-? Shattered dreams! In fact
this film is a rare treat to the ordinary film-goers. If they want to see
their popular actors or actresses-all in one - this is the film for it.
