Arts
Tackling a forbidden topic
View(s):It’s an issue which is normally not discussed and this is one of the reasons young film-maker Rehan Mudannayake chose to explore it through his latest film which he hopes will get his viewers thinking.
Young movie maker Rehan Mudannayake (right) takes the podium
The premiere of Red Mustang was held at the National Film Corporation recently. Written and directed by Rehan Mudanayake, the film explores the issue of sexual harassment through the film’s main characters Dushy, a young graduate and Anu, a powerful CEO.
Dushy is a student from a humble background who having recently lost her father, who left the family in debt, is desperate for a job. Despite being top of her batch at a local university, she has been unable to find a job for the past six months. Anu is working with his father at his company, and has taken on the role of CEO. The Red Mustang also features prominently in the film, and Rehan feels it’s almost a third character.
At a discussion held after the film, Francesca Mudannayake, who plays the role of Dushy, explained that the behaviour of the CEO was typical of people who sexually harass others – making their abusive behaviour seem like the fault of the victim.
Dulika Jayamanne stated that taking on the role of Anu made him realise that people who sexually harass, may have been victims themselves.
Guests at the premiere. Pix by Sameera Weerasekera
