TV Times

'Dheewari', director Salinda Perera's directorial venture based on Raja Proctor's novel 'Fisherman's Daughter' is to be released in theatres soon.

Co-produced by well-known producer and distributor, Chandran Ratnam the film depicts a strong young woman's struggle to overcome superstition, the ravaging sea and the iniquities of the traditional feudal system, all of which trap fisherfolk in a cycle of constant poverty.

Valli, forced out of the orphanage where she had been raised, returns to her parents' fishing village to live with her uncle and his wife. Thanks to the education she received at the convent and her outsider's perspective, she very quickly sees the wisdom of her late father's quest for independence from the Mudalali who controls all aspects of fishing in their village. In the era when mechanised fishing boats are introduced in Sri Lanka, Valli shrewdly assesses their advantages and dares to dream, while her extended family and neighbours bemoan their dismal and seemingly hopeless lot in life.

Valli and Kira, a young fisherman she befriends, try to convince her uncle and his mate that the only way out of the Mudalali's stranglehold is to get their own boat. Lured by the promise of quick money, Kira is shot in a smuggling escapade. To pay for her friend's funeral, Valli goes to work for the Mudalali as a nanny. There, she gradually rises to a position of unenviable trust in the household, helping her employer to straighten out his business, while falling for the charms and wiles of the Mudalali's predatory son. She is doomed to return to the village once more, disillusioned, when he is forced into marriage with a rich city girl pregnant with his child.

Inspired by the courage and determination of her parents, who had perished while at sea in an outrigger fashioned by themselves, as her father had been denied a boat after his constant clashes with the Mudalali, Valli is determined to acquire a motor boat for her family; and becomes the first in their village to break free from the Mudalali's exploitative net. No less stifling to her sense of justice are the pervasive ideas against women, and the prevailing male dominance set against the harsh reality of fisherfolks' lives.

The film which was shot in 1995 was only finally edited in 2006.

Speaking to the TV Times the co-producer Chandran Ratnam said that discussions are underway with the National Film Corporation (NFC) to release the film soon. "As soon as the relevant circuit is decided the much awaited film would be released for the audience," Mr. Ratnam said.

The film stars Sangeetha Weeraratne as Valli, Joe Abeywickrama as Mudalali, Cyril Wickramage (Peduru), Trilicia Gunewardena (Josie), Jackson Anthony (Manuel) and Veena Jayakody (Mudalali's wife).

The screenplay was written by Salinda Perera and Darrell Costa, the art director is Sunil Wijeratne. Edited by Harris Nandasiri, director of photography is Lal Wickramarachchi. Pradeep Ratnayake handled the musical score in the film, while Salinda Perera and Chandran Rutnam are co-producers.

'Dheewari' is a production of Serendipity Films and Taprobane Pictures presentation.