Prasanna Jayakody

Prasanna Jayakody (In Sinhalese: ප්‍රසන්න ජයකොඩි) is a Sri Lankan film director and screenwriter, internationally recognized for his cinematic accomplishments in contemporary Sri Lankan cinema. His movies primarily explore the human state of mind, displaying fusions of human emotions, senses and thoughts set against the fractured socio-economic, cultural and religious environments of Sri Lanka. In the global context, Jayakody’s cinema represents the psycho-biological realities of mankind and arbitrariness of human cognition juxtaposed against the larger concept of civilization. Jayakody’s eccentric cinematic world, in the absence of a flowing story, capitalizes on subtle but detailed images and intense characters.

Early life and career
Jayakody, born on August 25, 1968, in Horana, began his artistic career with painting. He received his first international accolade while receiving schooling when he won an art competition sponsored by the government of Japan. Art forms the cornerstone of his visual narrative, and Jayakody holds dear the memories of creating cover page vectors for his late father, Jayasena Jayakody. His father was a renowned and celebrated author, honored with three State Literary Awards in the Best Sinhala Novel category. This familial legacy of artistic and literary excellence has deeply influenced Jayakody's creative path.

He completed his education from Taxila Central College in Horana. Following a series of short dramas, Jayakody gained recognition with his debut drama Sevenali Saha Minissu (Shadows and Men), which dealt with the complexities of the human condition, and realities of life. It won the Best Stage Drama award in the State Drama Festival in Sri Lanka that in 1993.

Jayakody then turned to Sri Lankan Television Dramas with Nisala Vila (The Still Pond) in 1999, Imadiyamankada (At the Crossing) in 2000, Sanda Amawakayi (The Moon Eclipsed) in 2002, and Hada Vila Sakmana in 2003. These dramas secured several state awards, including the Best Tele Drama of the Year. Jayakody’s Awasana Horawa (The Final Hour) in 1998 won the Best Young Director award at the Sumathi Tele Awards.

Filmography
His directorial debut, Sankara, was released in 2007 and garnered several awards at both local and international film festivals. Notably, it received the Silver Pyramid Award at the Cairo International Film Festival that same year. Additionally, the film earned accolades for Best Debut Director and the NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film at the Kerala International Film Festival. Sankara also won the Jury Special Prize at the Turkey Silk Road Film Festival. His subsequent film, Karma, released in 2013, earned nominations for several international awards. Jayakody’s third film, 28, was honored as the Best Asian Film at the Amsterdam Film Awards in 2014 and received the awards for Best Director and Best Actor at the SAARC Film Festival in 2018.


 * No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.

Sankara (Introspection)

Jayakody's debut film, Sankara, centers around Ananda, a young Buddhist monk tasked with restoring frescoes at a temple. Throughout his journey, Ananda encounters a series of events that lead him to meet a captivating woman, igniting forbidden desires within him that clash with his monastic vows. The narrative unfolds Ananda's internal struggle as he attempts to concentrate on his artistic mission, a task that paradoxically requires both complete focus and a state of inner calm. Sankara delves into the profound philosophical and psychological examination of human nature's intricacies, showcasing the protagonist's turmoil as he grapples with his suppressed instincts against the backdrop of his spiritual commitments. The film offers a psychological perspective on Ananda's experience, highlighting the anxiety stemming from the tension between his earthly desires and his monastic duty to remain detached.

Karma

Jayakody's next film, Karma (2010), unfolds as a rich tapestry of emotions, portraying the intricate interconnection of three lives for uniquely compelling reasons. The narrative centers around Piyal, a 23-year-old man haunted by the guilt of his mother's death, who finds unexpected solace in caring for his neighbor, a 32-year-old woman battling cancer. Piyal's journey from curiosity to sexual attraction and, ultimately, to empathy for the woman, serves as a path towards self-redemption. In his efforts to alleviate the guilt of his past actions, he becomes deeply involved in the woman's life. This act of kindness leads her neglectful lover to confront his own feelings of guilt, having learned of Piyal's compassionate care. Karma delves into the complexities of human emotions and relationships, guiding the audience through a whirlwind of emotional dynamics and exploring the theme of life's inherent dualities.

28

In 28, (2014) country bumpkins Abasiri and Mani won't say no to a trip to Colombo, even if the occasion is a sad one: they have to bring back the corpse of a woman from their village. When Abasiri learns the identity of the woman, the mood changes—and the problems begin. The standard method of using an undertaker would cost too much, so in the end, it has to be an ice cream van and its unwitting driver that transports the coffin through the breath-taking Sri Lankan landscape. Layer by layer, this melancholic road movie gains depth, uncovering social chasms, but without losing its light touch.

Sankara

 * Cairo International Film Festival – 2006 – Silver Pyramid Award for Best Director
 * International Film Festival of Kerala – 2006 – Silver Crow Pheasant
 * International Film Festival of Kerala – 2006 – NETPAC Award
 * Bursa Festival – 2007 – Special Jury Mention
 * Dhaka International Film Festival – 2008 – FIPRESCI Prize

28

 * NETPAC Award (Won) at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) (2014) Rotterdam, Netherlands
 * Special Jury Mention at the Bled Film Festival (2014), Bled, Slovenia
 * Award for the Best Director (Won) at the SAARC Film Festival 2018
 * Award for the Best Actor (Won) by Mahendra Perera at the SAARC Film Festival 2018
 * Asia Pacific Screen Award (Nominated) for Best Screen Play
 * Asia Pacific Screen Award (Nominated) Mahendra Perera for Best Performance by an actor
 * Award for the Best Film (Won) at the Derana Film Festival 2018
 * Award for the Best Director (Won) at the Derana Film Festival 2018 and Hiru Golden Awards 2018
 * Award for the Best Screen Play (Won) at the Derana Film Festival 2018
 * Award for the Best Actor (Nominated) and Best Actor in a Supportive Role (Nominated) at the Derana Film Festival 2018
 * Sarasavi Film Festival 2017 (Won) awards for Best Film, Best Director, Best Script, Best Camera, and Best Editor

Karma
International Participation:
 * Pusan International Film Festival in South Korea
 * São Paulo International Film Festival in Brazil
 * Rotterdam International Film Festival in the Netherlands
 * Chicago International Film Festival
 * Bildrausch International Film Festival in Switzerland
 * Marrakech International Film Festival in Morocco
 * Isolacinema International Film Festival in Slovenia