dpolwatte

Chatrak (Mushrooms) (2011) is another film with a confusing narrative by Vimukthi Jayasundara. (VJ)

His films are most suitable for adults containing graphic violence, nudity, and sexuality.

The Forsaken Land (2005), Chatrak (Mushrooms) (2011), and Dark in the White Light (2015) are his list of films that I was exposed to.

They are well cinematographed but have a very confusing narrative that may distract the viewers.

The common theme of VJ is the unstructured development of the South Asian region and he has emphasized it in many perspectives through his films.

"The forsaken land (2005)" focuses on the war crimes of the Sri Lankan Army, "Chatrak (Mushrooms) (2011)" analyses the rapid development of Culcutta without a proper plan leading to confusion of people around them and people who are involved in it and finally "Dark in the white light (2015)" focuses on spiritual development and technological advancements of Sri Lanka infusing magical realism to the film making style.

Overall Chatrak (Mushrooms) (2011) takes the audience to a new paradigm exposing the viewers to Culcutta and its beauty as well as horrors.

Hidden philosophical themes and symbols are felt and are evident when watching the film exposing the director's creative vision and talent.

I watched Chatrak (Mushrooms) (2011) on SLT PeoTv streaming services. According to many reviews, it was an edited version but it does not disturb the viewers to enjoy a good film with philosophical undertones.

The film is run in the Bengali language and the streaming service provides Sinhalese subtitles.

Overall rating - 3/5

Swaroopa (2014), one of Dharmasena Pathiraja's final films is loosely based on Franz Kafka's novella 'Metamorphosis'.

The film is well written to screen by Eric Ilayapparachchi and Dharmasena Pathiraja himself.

The film through tiny attention to detail by the filmmaker manages to grasp the social transformations that took place in late colonial and early post-colonial Sri Lanka.

This film reminds the viewers, surrealism from old Hollywood films like 'Eraserhead' (1977).

The film only focuses mainly on the contours of a rented apartment of a middle-class family.

In this apartment lives, Gregory Samson and his family of father, mother, sister assisted by a maid, the household solely depends on the income of Gregory who is a traveling salesman for a pharmaceutical company.

Gregory bears the bulk of the financial responsibilities for the rent of the apartment, the violin lessons for his sister, and the general upkeep of the family.

As a young medical representative who has to travel a lot, he forms relationships in his travels which do not seem to be lasting. One fine morning Gregory wakes up to find himself transformed into a giant insect.

The story continues from this moment onwards with great dialogue and beautiful visuals.

A film that is well made will live with you forever.



Overall ratings - 5/5

"The Newspaper (2020)" is a well-cinematographed film. But the narrative of the film is very confusing.

The film sometimes is not realistic but the intentions of the film are positive and it disregards the unrealistic nature of the film.

The film successfully depicts the very complex and confusing nature of the Sri Lankan society.

This is a good film with good intentions.



Overall rating - 3/5