‘Sankara’ starts its journey

Talented filmmaker Prasanna Jayakody's internationally acclaimed ‘Sankara’ (Introspection) is now being released at EAP circuit theatres including Savoy Wellawatta.

Prasanna's maiden directorial venture won international attention repeatedly when he was awarded both at the 30th Cairo International Film Festival last December and the Kerala International Film Festival last December. In Cairo Prasanna was awarded the Special Jury Prize 'The Silver Pyramid' while he won two more awards in India last December.

Ispired and deeply entrenched in Buddhist philosophy, the film revolves around a young monk Ananda who arrives at a temple in order to restore its paintings. These paintings depict Thelapaththa Jathakaya, a moral story where Lord Buddha said that a man with a big target in life must not be swayed by passion (Keles), the five senses and especially beautiful women. One day, Ananda picks up a hair pin belonging to a young woman. While attempting to return this object to its owner, his repressed feelings are awoken by the beauty and sensuality of the woman. The young monk's inner spiritual world is plunged into turmoil. Then one day the paintings are destroyed. While restoring them for the second time Ananda begins to realize that he is trapped in a web of his worldly desires and attachments.

The cast with a majority of young and upcoming stars include Thumindhu Dodantenna, Sanchiri Ayendra, Nilupa Heenkendaarachchi and K. A. Milton Perera. Produced by Renuka Balasooriya and Somarathna Dissanayaka.