Introspection
SANKARA
Sri Lanka, 2006, 35 mm, 87’
directed by Prasanna Jayakody
screenplay Prasanna Jayakody
cinematography Palitha Perera
music Nadeeka Guruge
sound Kalinga Gihan Perera
editing Ravindra Guruge
cast Thumindhu Dodantenna, Sanchini Ayendra, Nilupa Heenkendaarachchi, K. A. Milton Perera
producer Somaratne Dissanayake, Renuka Balasooriya
production Cine-Filmslanka
This meditative film about the inner struggle of a young Buddhist monk is a real gem from Sri Lanka. The monk arrives at a temple to restore its paintings. The paintings depict a moral story where Buddha said that a man with a target in life must not be swayed by passion and especially not by beautiful women. These ancient, very exciting paintings consist of voluptuous half-naked women and men enjoying life in celebrations, dance and embraces. While working on the paintings a young woman attracts the young monk's attention and he develops sensual feelings towards her. The young monk’s inner spiritual world plunges into turmoil when he realizes that he is trapped in a web of his worldly desires and attachments - just as is depicted in the paintings. This struggle will have surprising consequences. The monk, appearing as a very calm man, wrestles with his alter ego and is bursting inside with doubt and pain. The director came up with a wonderful solution to engage two actors for the different psychological inner being of the monk. Sankara takes us on a spiritual journey, guided by excellent photography that captures the beautiful nature and significant details in a very meditative way, while the soundtrack very appropriately conveys the longing and danger when the young monk is lured away from the straight and narrow path.
»I decided not to limit the plot, characters and the environment of Sankara, but to create it within an ambiance that is universal. The endless forest that spreads below the temple is deep green and flat. This symbolizes the 'Samsaara', which is endless too. In the middle of that premises lies the withering reddish temple, which is the spiritual dream of the ordinary man. The paintings that are preserved in Sankara are hundreds of years old. Many a generation might have worshiped them, painted them again and again. In the same way, men over generations might have been drawn and attracted to desires and passions. Just as the young monk feels, I too feel that there is life existing in these paintings and this made me create those paintings alive in Sankara.« (Prasanna Jayakody)
Prasanna Jayakody
Born in 1968 in an artistic family, which was strongly rooted in traditional Sinhala values, and he grew up in a Buddhist environment. This became a major inspiration for his productions. When he was 21 he made his debut with the stage drama Shadows and Men, which was a critical success. He then started directing television dramas that were loved by the masses and won him numerous television awards. He shot his first full-length feature Sankara in 2006, his second feature is Karma (2010).
Sri Lanka, 2006, 35 mm, 87’
directed by Prasanna Jayakody
screenplay Prasanna Jayakody
cinematography Palitha Perera
music Nadeeka Guruge
sound Kalinga Gihan Perera
editing Ravindra Guruge
cast Thumindhu Dodantenna, Sanchini Ayendra, Nilupa Heenkendaarachchi, K. A. Milton Perera
producer Somaratne Dissanayake, Renuka Balasooriya
production Cine-Filmslanka
This meditative film about the inner struggle of a young Buddhist monk is a real gem from Sri Lanka. The monk arrives at a temple to restore its paintings. The paintings depict a moral story where Buddha said that a man with a target in life must not be swayed by passion and especially not by beautiful women. These ancient, very exciting paintings consist of voluptuous half-naked women and men enjoying life in celebrations, dance and embraces. While working on the paintings a young woman attracts the young monk's attention and he develops sensual feelings towards her. The young monk’s inner spiritual world plunges into turmoil when he realizes that he is trapped in a web of his worldly desires and attachments - just as is depicted in the paintings. This struggle will have surprising consequences. The monk, appearing as a very calm man, wrestles with his alter ego and is bursting inside with doubt and pain. The director came up with a wonderful solution to engage two actors for the different psychological inner being of the monk. Sankara takes us on a spiritual journey, guided by excellent photography that captures the beautiful nature and significant details in a very meditative way, while the soundtrack very appropriately conveys the longing and danger when the young monk is lured away from the straight and narrow path.
»I decided not to limit the plot, characters and the environment of Sankara, but to create it within an ambiance that is universal. The endless forest that spreads below the temple is deep green and flat. This symbolizes the 'Samsaara', which is endless too. In the middle of that premises lies the withering reddish temple, which is the spiritual dream of the ordinary man. The paintings that are preserved in Sankara are hundreds of years old. Many a generation might have worshiped them, painted them again and again. In the same way, men over generations might have been drawn and attracted to desires and passions. Just as the young monk feels, I too feel that there is life existing in these paintings and this made me create those paintings alive in Sankara.« (Prasanna Jayakody)
Prasanna Jayakody
Born in 1968 in an artistic family, which was strongly rooted in traditional Sinhala values, and he grew up in a Buddhist environment. This became a major inspiration for his productions. When he was 21 he made his debut with the stage drama Shadows and Men, which was a critical success. He then started directing television dramas that were loved by the masses and won him numerous television awards. He shot his first full-length feature Sankara in 2006, his second feature is Karma (2010).
