Ayu: landmark of Sri Lankan cinema

By Chamalee Ahangama

Ayu was screened in celebration of the 74th anniversary of Sri Lankan cinema at Savoy Cinema, Wellawatta, on January 22. It is the maiden movie production of General (retired) Daya Rathnayake and the second film directed by Chathra Weeraman after Aloko Udapadi.

After dedicating a moment of silence to remember all those deceased in the field of local cinema, including Sinhala, Tamil, Malay and Muslim directors, producers, actors, actresses, technical and non-technical contributors to the Sri Lankan film industry, a special award of appreciation was presented to the ‘Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema’ Dr. Malani Fonseka for her 155th acting contribution in her illustrious career of over five decades. The award was presented by the guest of honor, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhana, attended by the State Minister of National Heritage, Performing Arts and Rural Arts Promotion Vidura Wickramanayake; Chairman of National Film Corporation, Sri Lanka, Jayantha Dharmadasa; Ayu Producer, General Daya Rathnayaka; Ben Holdings Group Director, G.T. Jayaseelan on behalf of EAP movies; Ayu Director, Chathra Weeraman; Weeraman Brothers Director, Saman Weeraman; Independence Television Network Chairman, Sudath Rohana along with part-sponsor of the award and FLEXPORT Chairman, Dr. Nandadasa Narayana. The tribute speech for Dr. Malani Fonseka was done by veteran actor and member of board of directors of National Film Corporation Dr. Ravindra Randeniya.

The event was also graced by Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre Director, Dr. Rewant Vikram Singh, and a limited number of guests including print, electronic and social media representatives, in compliance with COVID-19 health regulatory requirements.

Presented by Weeraman Brothers, based on a story by Saman Weeraman, Ayu stars Sandra Mack, Jagath Manuwarna, Malani Fonseka, Ashan Dias, Kenara Wiratunga, Samanalee Fonseka, Sampath Jayaweera, Priyantha Sirikumara, Thumindu Dodantenna, Nalin Lusena, Udara Abeysundara, Kasuni Kavindi Fernando, Akalanka Prabashwara, Dinushika Senevirathne, Thiwanka Ranasinghe, Prasanna Dekumpitiya and Dasun Pathirana in a guest appearance. The crew includes cinematographer Kalinga Deshapriya, Chamara Selara as Assistant Director, Bimal Dushmantha in production designing, Saman Alvitigala in film editing, Milinda Tennakone in music, Harsha Manjula and Haroon Shaideen in makeup department, Sasika Marasinghe in sound department, Dinindu Jagoda and Lahiru Madhushanka in editorial department, Kumara Karawdeniya in costume designing, Shehan Obeysekara in production photography, Iresh Karunarathne, Primal Ranasinghe and Sashika Ganegodage in Production Management and Anuradha Weeraman as the Associate Producer.

Ayu is a love story between a young man and a woman brought together by fate. Together they set on an intriguing journey of soul-searching over the hustle of material life. They will inspire you to think about the purpose of life.

Humans are not just reacting organisms but are autonomous beings capable of actively shaping their lives even in the face of psychological trauma. Chathra Weeraman has been successful in using cinema as a paradoxical intervention which is a concept akin to reverse psychology to emphasize on the fact that having a meaning or reason to live can provide hope for people who are experiencing difficult times. Such interventions facilitate people to create a deeper sense of self, greater appreciation of life, develop empathy and a desire to act for the greater good. Therefore, Ayu represents what exactly some of us were searching throughout our lives.

Taking the film along socio-political and economic spheres too, the director has brought together the ‘core’ and ‘periphery’ of social life in Sri Lanka, in some of their extremely challenging situations. Chathra has done a commendable job at capturing the beauty and struggle of the characters, making the film feel close to reality. Inspired by true events the story follows an asexual relationship between a young lady doctor and a beach boy. With Dolby Atmos surround sound technology Ayu makes you experience each and every moment in the film as if you are living in it.

The audience is reminded that they live in a world full of relationships, out of which most are accepted while some others are taboo. The question is, whether all such relationships are damaging? Couldn’t some of those unaccepted or nameless relationships be fulfilling to those who are involved in them? The audience is welcome to judge the love story told in Ayu when it comes to a theatre near you soon.