Talk:Inoka Sathyangani

The message from the filmmaker
In ancient history, Sri Lanka was the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”. But 20 years of an ethnic war has now turned Sri Lanka into the "Tear Drop of the Indian Ocean." The war has its ravaging impact on everything. The film industry too could not escape from that onslaught. Within this politico economic dismantling of the society, the new generation quite naturally strived to explore new and untried paths for their own liberation. Thus in Sri Lanka during the past decade or so, newcomers with festering frustrations and with a desire for change, stand out as those who tried to use the medium of Television and Film to provoke a social discourse on how they perceive reality in a creative form.

This is quite evident from the attempts made by some of the new generation filmmakers in filling the void that gradually yawned after the 70's. It was this new generation of filmmakers who stepped out with their creations once again to peep into reality. And during the past decade, it was them who retraced the footprints left on the Asian Film scene by very few of those who pioneered the Sri Lankan film industry.

Yet in Sri Lanka, with its culture that has very strong ideological bindings from Buddhism and from Eastern Culture, women have comparatively a lesser social status. The Sri Lankan experience may perhaps be a shade better than some of the Asian neighbors who live with strong religious and cultural practices. But on its own, this does not relieve the burden on women in Sri Lanka whose civil life is heavily dented by folk traditions and culture. It is within this context that I was able to achieve the grandeur of the status of being the only young woman filmmaker after many decades that saw a dearth of women filmmakers.

The Sri Lankan audience had come to identify me with the burdens and emotions of women, portrayed in creations for over a decade after I worked in the television media. I do not for one; accept that women should speak only about women just for the sake of being a woman. But, before the creative artiste emerged in me, I am a human being. And what emerges from the artiste in me is what I had experienced as that human being. So how can I leave behind all the tears, all the sighs and all the smiles of all those who were around me from my childhood? They weave different designs, following me as my shadow all through my life, what ever I embark upon.

What I have achieved in my first feature film “Sulang Kirilli” would also have the stamp of the shadow that follow me. The shadow that at times emerges into light and at times hides within darkness, is the soul of other women like me. Yet it carries with it something more. And that is the right I enjoy as a creative artiste. And that is what allows me to share my experiences with every one of you. A right that most women who cries, pleads and smiles in silence around me would not have. Therefore I am not here to enjoy this right alone. That perhaps is why their soul spirit accompanies my creation, quite unknown to me.

International film festivals which “Sulang Kirilli” (The Wind Bird) participated)
•	The World premier - Tokyo International Film Festival in Japan. (Opening film in the main competition). - In October 2002. (The only Sri Lankan film, which was selected for the main competition.) Tokyo International Film Festival is one of the 12 Prestigious “A grade” International film festivals of the world.

•	Sao Paulo International Film Festival in Brazil in October 2002 Official Selection for the International Competition. (Withdrawn the film from the festival to have the world premier at Tokyo International Film Festival) one of the prestigious International film festivals for controversial cinema.

•	Festival des 3 Continents in France in November 2002. (In the “Regards Plurels” section. A section where only 3 films will be screened as a regard to each Continent. “The Wind Bird” was screened to represent Asian Continent)

•	The 3rd Muscat Film Festival - Oman - Official selection in the International Competition for the best International film - 2003 - January.

•	Chicago International Film Festival - U.S.A. official selection in the “Women in the Director’s Chair section - 2003.

•	Cinemateca del Uruguay - Latin America - Official selection in the International Competition for the best International film - 2003 - April. An internationally recognized film festivals for controversial cinema (Third cinema in Latin America) registered under the International film origination FIAF/ Federation International des Archives de film).

•	 Innsbruck International film festival – Austria - Official selection for the International Competition for the best International film 2003 - June.

•	Zanzibar International Film Festival - Tanzania - Official Selection for the International Competition for best International film - 2003 - June. Zanzibar International Film Festival is the festival of the Dhow Countries, East Africa’s largest cultural event. •	12th Prix Leonardo International Film Festival - Italy - Official Selection for the International Competition -2003 - October.

•	Flanders International Film Festival- Ghent – Belgium - Official Selection for the International Competition for the “X plore Award” -2003 - October.

•	Cairo International Film Festival - Egypt - Official Selection of the special honorary section of “Festivals of Festivals”. -2003 - October. One of the “A grade” International film festivals.

•	28th Golden Chest International Festival - Bulgaria - Official Selection of for the International Competition for Category one - Feature films and Series for Adults. -2003 - October. (Golden Chest International Film & TV Festival is one of the longest standing and the most prestigious festivals in Europe.)

•	XX Bogotá Film Festival - Colombia - Official Selection for the International Competition. -2003 - October.

•	34th New Delhi International Film Festival - India - Official Selection for the International Competition. -2003 - October.

•	World Film Festival of Bangkok - Thailand - Official Selection for the International Competition. -2003 - October.

•	The 8th Dhaka International Film Festival - Bangladesh - Official Selection for the Asian Competition. -2004 - January. (One of the four main Asian Film Festivals which was gained global recognition)

•	6th Asian Woman Film Festival - Landon - Official Invitation - 2004 - March.

•	9th Pyongyang Film Festival - Korea - Official Selection for the International Competition. - 2004 - September.

•	10th Kolkata Film Festival - India - Official Invitation - 2004 - November.

•	The Tamil Nadu International Film Festival (Chennai International Film Festival) - India - Official Selection for the International Competition. - 2004 - December.

•	7th Mumbai International Film Festival - India - Official Invitation - 2005 - January.

•	3rd Pune International Film Festival - India – Official Invitation – 2005 - January.

•	The Santa Cruz Film Festival - USA – Official Invitation - 2005 – May.

•	Asia pacific Film Festival in Berlin - Germany – Official Invitation – 2005 - September.

•	Seattle’s 2nd Independent South Asian Film Festival - USA – Official Invitation - 2005 – September.

•	New York International Independent International Film Festival - USA – (The Largest Independent International Film Festival in the world) Official Invitation - 2005 – November.

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