Two films and comments

is pleased to comment on two films, one Sri Lankan in Sinhala and the other American. She admits she is still to see the local film which is running in several cinemas to full audiences. It has been reviewed as outstanding; raved over by many; and already grossed the highest amount in Sri Lankan cinema history – Rs 100 million from date of release January 30 to February 14. This last: testimony to its popular appeal and acceptance as an outstanding cinema achievement. Director is Asoka Handagama and producer Subaskaran Allirajah for Lyca Productions. Swarna Mallawarachchi is said to give a stellar performance as Dr Manorani Saravanamuttu with an exceptional supporting cast including Sanath Gunatihilake, Sajitha Anthony, Rehan Amaratunge and others.

Titled Rani, the film concentrates on Manorani Saravanamuttu, mother of Richard de Zoysa, who was made to undergo the devastating trauma of seeing her son taken away, and then to identify the battered, tortured body washed ashore in Lunawa. Her commitment first was to identify the abductors or at least the leader of the group that came late at night to her home as media persons, and, on the pretext of speaking to the then sleeping Richard, took him away to murder him and drop him in the sea so his disappearance was complete.

Those times of fear

Cass was very much into following the trajectory of the political situation in the country as it was at that time. It was hot and turbulent with Ranasinghe Premadasa President and D B Wijetunge PM – admittedly ineffective against Premadasa. The country was gripped by fear; fear of an enemy and his cohorts who struck any outstanding person as being a threat to the Prez. And the LTTE, too, were active with raids south of the Vanni controlled by the Tigers.

Cass was working in the British Council when the news flashed that Richard had been tortured and killed and his body washed ashore. We cried as he had been much with BC; had performed in a Greek tragedy in the front garden of the BC. We knew instinctively who the perpetrator of the murder was and who executed through others the expressed displeasure that Richard de Zoysa was an irritant. The film, too, does not directly point a finger, merely indicates who he was. And thus the fear increased with frustration and deep sorrow at the loss of this brilliant young man brutally scythed at the age of 31.

We heard that Manorani identified the leader of the gang who came to her house that night, while watching TV on April 30. He was a security officer of the Prez. He was blown to bits with President Premadasa and others as the May Day rallies were commencing.

Another incident remembered with a shiver of apprehension passing down the spine was just prior to May Day. Prez Premadasa spoke at a public meeting in a near demented, almost strangled voice that people were pointing fingers of accusation at him for the murder of Lalith Athulathmudali.

Cass’ comment is to congratulate all involved in the film Rani for two reasons: exposition of a crime and a woman’s desperate sorrow that evolves to inner strength to help other women who had lost sons tragically. The second reason is that crimes have to be punished and that such crimes should not be forgotten. Reminders are good to keep people on their toes: on watch-out.

US movie

The other is the film of U S Vice President, J D Vance’s life story up to adulthood. He was born James Donald Bowman in 1984 but his parents divorced while he was a toddler and his name was changed to James David Vance after his mother – Beverly or Bev’s third marriage. He is first seen as a young boy living with his mother and sister in Middleton, Ohio, with loving grandparents close by. In swift flashbacks and forwards, his childhood life is juxtaposed with him as a graduate at Yale Law School and romance with Indian co-student Usha Bala Chilukuri.

Vance wrote his memoir in 2016 and titled it Hillbilly Elegy. The film was directed by Ron Howard with Vanessa Taylors writing the screen play. Amy Adams and Glen Close act as mother and grandmother; Gabriel Basso and Haley Bennett as boy and man Vance; and Freida Pinto as a very alike Usha.

Cass watched the film on Netflix and was stunned at how much the young boy had suffered, his mother being a druggie and moving from one man to another. In the car the young chap of around 10 years mentions: “Your latest boyfriend.” Bev gets mad and accelerates almost killing the two of them. He jumps out when she slows down and runs to a house for protection. The woman of the house phones the police but JD lies to them that nothing happened. Emotionally searing scenes show Bev’s addiction and trouble she causes her son. The film ends with his sister taking charge of Bev after her rehabilitation of many before, and Vance going back to New Haven, greeted by Usha and presenting himself for his first job interview.

An epilogue in the film reveals that JD and Usha married and have three children, moving to Ohio to be near his family. Bev was sober for six years. She was present at his swearing in as VP.

Comments

Much admired and applauded is Vice Prez JD Vance’s honesty in his memoir of his mother’s scandalous behaviour and drug addiction. That is, Cass presumes to say, Western honesty about personal history.

Now for a prediction. After all is said and done, Cassandra must live up to her Trojan ancestor Cassandra and call out an augury. She kept calling out: “I see blood!” True enough. Blood flowed as Agamemnon was murdered by his brother Menelaus and his wife Clytemnestra.

The present-day Cassandra’s cry is so different from her cries during many previous regimes in this Island. Now, she cries with contentment: “Peace it is. Peace be”, as she sees turmoil and wars all over the world and peace here. Also, the ability to look forward to rogues being caught, corruption slowly washed away and Sri Lanka restored to its resplendency.

from The Island https://ift.tt/9Z26cle