{"id":23108,"date":"2013-07-22T01:25:07","date_gmt":"2013-07-22T05:25:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=23108"},"modified":"2013-07-22T21:30:05","modified_gmt":"2013-07-23T01:30:05","slug":"flying-fish-film-director-sanjeewa-pushpakumara-denies-allegations-of-being-funded-by-tamil-diaspora-to-make-movies-insulting-lankan-security-forces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=23108","title":{"rendered":"“Flying Fish” Film Director Sanjeewa Pushpakumara Denies Allegations of Being Funded by Tamil Diaspora to Make Movies Insulting Lankan Security Forces"},"content":{"rendered":"

by
\nDilrukshi Handunnetti<\/strong><\/p>\n


\nA defiant and determined Sanjeewa Pushpakumara, the director of the Sinhala-Tamil anthological film Igillena Maluwo (Flying Fish) finds the current controversy surrounding his anthological film, \u2018truly interesting.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"pic<\/a>

pic courtesy of: sanjeewafilm<\/p><\/div>\n

Denying allegations of being a conspirator to being funded by the Tamil Diaspora to create films detrimental to national interest, Seoul-based Pushpakumara in a telephone interview with Ceylon Today said, he had no wish to insult the Sri Lankan Security Forces, but expressed dismay over the inability to appreciate art, for the sake of art.<\/em><\/p>\n

Excerpts:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Q: How do you react to the current controversy that surrounds your film?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I find it truly interesting. I am happy that so many talk about a film many have not seen or even heard of, until the recent problem about a special screening. Finally, I feel my work is up for discussion, whichever way people receive it.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Q: Flying Fish received only positive publicity in Sri Lanka since its inclusion in a series of international film festivals since 2011. Subsequent to the banning of the film here, it has been condemned by some. Are you disappointed?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Not at all. I used to remain glued to national television for years. You can call me a \u2018marathon viewer\u2019 of the State-owned channels. I am not disturbed in the least by the bad publicity now dished out by those who celebrated my success then. I accept it as part of life and a challenge, as an artiste.<\/p>\n


\nQ: But an entire film festival has been suspended on account of its inclusion?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I feel sad about that. It was unnecessary.<\/p>\n

The French Embassy obtained permission from the Public Performance Board (PPB) for a single screening as part of the film festival.<\/p>\n

The film has been screened at a record number of international film festivals so far. For this purpose, it has been certified by the National Film Corporation (NFC), without which we are unable to clear Customs, when sending copies abroad for such screenings.<\/p>\n

The film focuses on recent history and human experiences of the war. I could not handle the number of requests for international screenings, and had to decline invitations from Bussan and Moscow Film Festivals. I say this with humility.<\/p>\n

The film continues to generate much interest, and even when supported to attend these festivals, it is still financially difficult for us. I work hard to strike a balance between my studies and cinematic work.<\/p>\n


\nQ: The Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) announced an inquiry will be conducted against the film makers, by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Have you been notified?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I am yet to hear from the authorities.<\/p>\n

I will fully co-operate with such a process and in fact welcome it. I am a simple artiste, a youth who just embarked on a creative journey. I have been met with resistance at the very beginning. I will not resist it and will face any inquiry. I have nothing to hide.<\/p>\n

\"Sanjeewa<\/a>

Sanjeewa Pushpakumara<\/p><\/div>\n


\nQ: If the PPB pre-approves films for public screening, why is the NFC also certifying films?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Accepting invitations is a matter for the director and the film company. For public screenings in Sri Lanka, PPB\u2019s approval is mandatory.<\/p>\n

To send copies of films for international screenings, a certificate of approval from the NFC is necessary for purposes of Customs clearance.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know what else NFC is doing, but feel quite certain that whatever they do has little to do with cinema! I am not sure whether the NFC understands cinema in the first instance.<\/p>\n

Q: The MCNS has charged the film includes scenes with actors donning military fatigue without the required clearance. Why did you violate this pre-requisite?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I did no such thing and nobody bothered to verify this with me. The truth is \u2013 I sought and received the required defence clearance. It is one of the many purported reasons for banning Flying Fish, but it is not true.<\/p>\n

I have the clearance and I violated no rule or regulation.<\/p>\n


\nQ: If you have the certificate, can you share a scanned copy for publication?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: At this moment, I do not wish to do so. My name will be cleared when the inquiry is completed. Until then, suffice to say that I have obtained permission.<\/p>\n


\nQ: A key allegation is the negative portrayal of the Sri Lankan soldier. Did the PPB raise questions about it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I wanted to artistically present the agonies of war and how differently we respond to the same. It has three narratives \u2013 two in Sinhala and one Tamil. The film relays the experiences of people living in a war-torn society. As a youth from the war-affected Trincomalee, I wanted to share my personal experiences of the war through creative means.<\/p>\n

I never intended to insult the armed forces or to support a particular group and condemn another. There is no one possible depiction of a soldier; the human experience and response varies.<\/p>\n

Flying Fish is not fiction: It is my story. It is also yours.<\/p>\n


\nQ: The film is now banned in Sri Lanka. Did you intend screening it for the Sri Lankan public?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: It has been banned through some mindboggling process. I am yet to apply for the required licence for public screenings. NFC\u2019s Chairman has proclaimed, it is banned in Sri Lanka and abroad. It is not the mandate of the NFC, but a matter for the PPB.<\/p>\n

The NFC has recalled the copy of the film submitted to the Mexican Film Festival \u2013 the largest Latin American film festival in the world \u2013 which was to screen Flying Fish on Friday (19). Legally, it is only the PPB that can ban it. Bans can be challenged in Court. That\u2019s entirely a different process.<\/p>\n

Q: Do you still wish to screen Flying Fish for local audiences?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: It does not appear feasible in the current context.<\/p>\n

It was approved for a single screening at the French Film Festival and I have not yet applied for a public screening licence.<\/p>\n

I am thankful to the PPB for being professional and for the manner in which it handled the entire episode, including the bad publicity. I thank the chairman for his honesty and judicious approach.<\/p>\n

Q: At a recent protest, conducted by an interest group in front of the French Embassy in Colombo, it was claimed that your film is part of an international conspiracy and you were funded by NGOs and the Tamil Diaspora, to injure the sentiments of the Sri Lankan public. Are you working with any lobby groups?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: These are unfair accusations, and time will establish the truth without an iota of doubt.<\/p>\n

I am just a struggling artiste, doing my work. My career in cinema is yet to begin, in the true sense. I can\u2019t do other jobs and I am not interested.<\/p>\n

I am a student and to complete my work, I put in 18 hours a day. I am 35 years old and I am still learning this craft. I am learning cinema and what I know is but a drop in the ocean.<\/p>\n