Chathra Weeraman’s latest film Ayu is quite a feminine story, one that reveals South Asian feminine subjectivity, which is fragile, vulnerable, full of doubts about what is right and what is wrong, and mostly confused between her emotions and rational thinking.
Long story short, ‘Ayu’ is an emotional journey of Nishmi (Sandra Mack), the female protagonist of the film. She is a young lady doctor, happily married with endless hopes for a good life, but her life goes through a series of unfortunate events that takes a sharp turn: losing her child, a distant husband because of his job, and neglected friends. She ends up having depression as she couldn’t fathom the exact reason for her endless agony, until she finds out the man who’s behind all of her misery. By that time, it’s too late for her to go back to her previous hopeful life that she created within the framework of social norms and tradition.
Her loneliness develops into a silent rage within her, and she becomes driven by the urge to track the person who was the cause of her misery. She finds Sachin (Jagath Manuwarna), the Beach-Boy, who leads a very adventurous and merry life. She accepts what is coming to her as her life takes another unexpected turn.
Kalinga Deshapriya
Ayu surely can attract female spectators, as the film is narrated and presented in a framework of feminine emotion that resonates mostly with the thinking pattern of women. The visual treatment of the story is quite soothing, eye-candy, and heart-touching, which runs parallel to feminine emotion. The non-linear editing style also supports visualising the flow of feminine emotion, which mostly could be illogical for the outside world, but makes sense within the walls of her imaginary world.
Femininity in South Asia
Irrespective of the social class, South Asian women in their intimate relationships mostly look for security, emotional bearing, or dependence because of the low level of economic and cultural development of the countries. Although in the film Nishmi roams around the country by train and behaves like a free-thinking, liberated woman, the fragility behind her illogical understanding of her reality is an echo of the under-developed cultural and economic history in this part of the world.
She creates a major drama with her husband, who is a tourist guide, accusing him of her tragedy in life, which is quite illogical and unfair from her husband’s point of view. The mere reason for her accusation is his job, which leads her to fantasise he is being unfaithful to her. This is quite common in the psyche of Asian women who have been brought up with the idea that men can do anything but women cannot. It can be argued that the easily agreeable nature of this part of the world compared to the West has occurred because of this narration that has been developed over centuries.
Timely topics
Chathra Weeraman
Ayu opens a social dialogue to discuss many of these timely topics. Sri Lanka is in a new phase of hope with a new government and as their election campaign motto was ‘Thriving nation and a beautiful life’. To deliver the promise, it is paramount to change the thinking patterns of women, especially as they are the core of any society.
This article serves to appreciate the bold attempt of Ayu’s cast and crew. Although this is Chathra’s second film, he has shown his maturity in directing his father’s wisdom (the story is written by Saman Weeraman, Chathra’s father) into beautiful visual treatment. Also, Ayu is Sandra Mack’s debut feature; her promising performance is the strength of Ayu. Kalinga Deshapriya and Saman Alvitigala are two geniuses in Sri Lankan cinema.
Deshapriya’s camera eye and Alvitigala’s thoughtful editing effortlessly crafted Ayu into its successful final product. Jagath Manuwarna, Ashen Dias, Priyantha Sirikumara, Udara Abeysundara, and Nalin Lusena’s realistic acting added colour to the film. It was a delightful treat to see the late Malini Fonseka, even for a short appearance in the film. Her innocent presence on the silver screen throughout decades reminds the audience of her legacy, which will remain in the hearts of Sri Lankan cinema-goers forever.
Ayu is now screening islandwide.
****
Cast and the crew
Presented by Weeraman Brothers in association with Circle 360, Director Chathra Weeraman, Producers Gen. Daya Ratnayake, Yasas Ratnayake, Associate Producers Anuradha Weeraman, Saman Weeraman, Story Saman Weeraman, Screenplay Chathra Weeraman Shakthi Weerasinghe, Director of Photography Kalinga Deshapriya, Production Designer and Art Director Bimal Dushmantha, Editor Sman Alvitigala, Music Composer Milinda Tennakone, Costume Designer Kumara Karawdeniya, Lead Makeup and Hair Harsha Manjula, Haroon Shaideen, Sound Designer Sasika Marasinghe, Colourist Dinindu Jagoda, Assistant Director Chamara Selara
Production Executives Primal Ranasinghe Shashika Ganegodage, Production Manager Iresh Karunarathne, Still Photographer Shehan Obeysekara, Vfx Supervisor Chathra Weeraman (Autumn Lane Studio)
Cast: Nishmi Sandra Mack, Nishmi’s Mother Malani Fonseka, Sachin Jagath Manuwarna, Ravi Ashan Dias, Ayu Kenara Weerathunga, Sandra Samanalee Fonseka, Rama Thumindu Dodanthanna, Resort Owner Priyantha Sirikumara, Laka Udara Abeysundara, Suda Nalin Lusena, Female bhikkhu Dinushika Senevirathne
