TV Times

Seasoned director Sudath Devapriya's 'Udugam Yamaya' (Against the Tide), screened at recognized international film festivals, will soon be released at CEL circuit cinemas around the country.

The film revolving around the dark era of the 1989 insurrection was the official entry at the 48th London Film Festival-2004, Fukoka International Film Festival- 2005 , official Sri Lankan representation at the 38th Indian International Film Festival and was screened at the Cannes International Film festival under the World cinema category.

Sudath's third attempt on cinema followed his two earlier films "Elivena Davasa" and "Tharanaya" which were both award winners. While his debut "Elivena Davasa", won the award for the Best Screen Script at the Youth Festival organized by the National Youth Services Centre of Sri Lanka, 'Tharanaya' (The Crossing) won two awards at the Sri Lanka Film Critics Forum Awards 1991 and was screened at the Faja International Film Festival in Iran and at the Sao Paulo IFF in Brazil.

His latest directorial venture 'Udugam Yamaya' is set in the backdrop of the bloody civil war which raged in 1989 between young insurgents and government forces which resulted in the death and disappearance of about 60,000 mainly young people.

This story is set in a remote village during that period. Sirimal, a nine-year-old boy, lives with his parents in this village. Sirimal's father is the village ferryman.

The suspicious activities of some rebel youth in the area and the occasional sound of gunshots do not go unnoticed.

The Army visits the village looking for these youths and threatens the villagers about giving protection to rebels. The idyllic life "of the village is slowly torn apart by the threat of sudden abductions and disappearances as the violence worsens.

The film stars Mauli Ferdinando, Tisuri Uwanika, Chandani Senaviratne, Suminda Sirisena, Richard Weerakkodi, Saumya Liyanage , Giriraj Kaushalya and Duleeka Marapana.

In the technical crew, M.D. Mahindapala-cinematography, Rohan Samaradivakera-art Director, Komara Karaudeniya-costume designer joined Sudath Devapriya who wrote the story and script.

Vasantha Vittachchi did the make up, Kalinga Gihan Perera was the sound controller, Ravindra Guruge edited while Sarath Fernando made the musical score. Enoka Fernado was the executive Producer.

Udugam Yamaya was produced with financial assistance from the Film development fund given by National Film Corporation.