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Film review:
Cinematic presentation of political and moral injustice
E. M. G. Edirisinghe
CINEMA: Reminiscent of Palangetiyo and Dadayama of Sinhala
cinema, once again we are made to experience the impact of a compact
cinematic creation by dynamic filmmaker Vasantha Obeysekera.
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AGANTUKAYA: A captivating scene |
In his latest movie Aganthukaya (Outcast), he unfolds a narrative in
impressive moving pictures that affects the psyche of the viewer.
Agantukaya in its linguistic transition into English transforms himself
into an outcast. However, the underlying theme of the movie implies a
fusion of the two connotations projected from two different linguistic
roots. It suggests an entry into an alien environment (aganthuka) and an
exist from a known environment (outcast).
Morally as well as officially exalted school principal (Sampath) is
thus a stranger and an outcast within the same social environment. And,
what do we read in the film is a fusion of Aganthukaya and outcast to
reflect the total collapse and eclipse of a person who steadfastly stood
for honesty, duty and integrity. It is a magnificent pictorial
presentation of the plight of a public officer, obedient and loyal to
rules and regulations, instead of being so to the politician and his
cronies.
On the surface it is a narrative of a school principal who depicts
the reality of political and moral degeneration of the whole social
system. Outward appearance of Sampath (Saumya Liyanage) is a mirror of
the depth of his interior. Flashing a broad smile effortlessly reaching
the others, it speaks of purity of his intentions.
His humble approach to social seniority with a slight hunch of
exuding grace show his sincerity.
Narrative strength
Aganthukaya gathers its volume of narrative strength with selected
situations moulding themselves into an arrow of penetration to reach the
intelligence of the viewer who by then has tuned himself to realise the
inevitable doom in the year in whichever form.
Within strict pupilar, teacher and parental discipline maintained,
the moral and academic environment provides an imposing background to
get Sampath in a frame within which the impact of the narrative is
cleverly inscribed.
The film grips the inner soul of the viewer and absorbs him into a
cinematic presentation of political and moral injustice that permeates
today's social life where honesty and fairplay, play second fiddle to
political hegemony and henchmanship.
The cumulative effect of varying conflicts leading Sampath eventually
to commit suicide deepens the ill-effects of evil politics that engulfs
the entire social fabric.
It is not very often that a film brings such social injustice
inherent in politics into such dramatic focus as in this film by
Vasantha. Sampath is mentally and morally well-equipped to discharge his
obligations, academic and official, thereby he earned an enhanced
prestige for the institution which itself is the main path for its
greater appeal to parents, teachers and others to seek admission and
invite political interference.
Sampath was an economic and political victim of his own dedication, a
creation on the one hand infused a degree of self-elation which he
cherished while the political cronies sensing its glory and honour them,
craved for a greater say and share in its administration.
Universal reality
The growth and development of an undercurrent for or against an act
of virtue or evil is a universal reality. Thus Sampath turning into a
passive object of wrath is a manifestation of such a reality.
He did not respond to corruption that was gradually enveloping him
but moved on a clear linear direction with his avowed devotion to duty
with a high sense of self-satisfaction with untainted determination.
The essence of his upright character is not to arrest the process of
corruption but to act wisely and truthfully with no concern for the
outcome. His positive and unstainted acts produced a negative effect on
soiled men of dirty and selfish politics.
Sampath was able to defend his immunity to corruption and its
pressure, but failed to reach a spiritually high position in which if he
succeeded it could have inspired him with sufficient strength to resist
such impurity that quietly snared him to submission.
Vasantha's clever perception of inner substance of Buddhism captured
in respect of worldly achievements that evil could be overcome only by
fortifying oneself with concentration on spiritual content in life is
mirrored in his creation.
When Sampath commits suicide, the ultimate loser is justice and
social discipline. The film-maker cleverly displaying his gift of
insight suggests this reading through his well-knit script. Events
leading to this end conveyed through heavily laden compositions tell the
filmgoer that Sampath's death evokes sympathy among the student-parent
community with simmering hatred to the system that holds him a prisoner
and kills him.
Harmonious momentum
No image in the film is sensationally grafted or forced into its
fabric which fails to harness adequate harmonious momentum. It advances
with an accent that progressively gathers an internally energetic
celluloid journey.
The violent death of Sampath's father at the hands of insurgent often
torments his inner self. This is a clever move by Vasantha to juxtopose
the two fatal accidents in two dissimilar situations acting in defence
of the existing rule of law.
While the father has to die earning the displeasure of those who
revolt against the existing system, the son has to die because he acts
in conformity with the existing law. His father's death is worrying him
hard dragging him to self-destruction.
Dignity and honour
He commits suicide not because he is denied of dignity and honour but
the murder of his father haunts him. Those who acted alike in similar
circumstances had to face an identical fate.
His subconscious mind keeps on reminding him of his father's fate and
finally succumbs to the pressure of disappointment that kept him
submerged in a process of procedural and moral defeat. Both of them
never yielded to force or farce. Pressure building within him dismissed
all his allegiances and commitments because he failed to stabilise
within a spiritual elevation.
Vasantha's inherent capacity and fortitude to probe into social ills
which produce an atmosphere that mangle society and the individual
asunder is reflected in Aganthukaya. It is a search in unexplored depth
the image of which stimulates the filmgoer. The film itself is a fresh
experience for the enlightened viewer which he carries to relieve in it
as a psycho-analyst of sorts. |
