Karma

KARMA
Sri Lanka, 2010, 35 mm, 88’


directed by Prasanna Jayakody
screenplay Prasanna Jayakody, Jagath Manuwarna
cinematography Palitha Perera
music Nadeeka Guruge, Sumudu Guruge
editing Bathiya Dunusinghe, Rangana Singharage, Sudesh Kumarasinghe
sound Lionel Gunarathne
cast Jagath Manuwarna, Michelle Herft, Nadeeka Guruge
producer Rasitha Jinasena
production SKY Entertainers (Pvt) Ltd
world sales SKY Entertainers (Pvt) Ltd

After presenting the memorable film Sankara, the young Sri Lankan cineaste Prasanna Jayakody appears with his second film Karma. Applying the same cinematic time-flow, the director uses consistent slow and long shots to establish a certain meditative mood. The film opens with very slow camera movements in a house, while off-screen there are sounds of heavy breathing. A mother is dying in pain in a huge bed, her son beside her. He is passively present and seems numb, bothered by guilt. His thoughts are with the girl next door. He longs for warmth, uneasy with his sexual drive.

This introspective minimalist human drama of a young man's encounter with death, but lust and joy as well, poses many questions. Approached and handled with the sophistication of delicate embroidery, Karma magically turns the spectator towards his own self.

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, Karma is his second feature.