With ‘Nelum Kuluna’, Ilango takes Lankan cinema to a new height
By Susitha R. Fernando
Introducing the genre of dark comedy or black comedy to Sri Lankan cinema, ‘Nelum Kuluna’ or ‘Tentigo’ as the English title goes, the maiden feature film direction by Ilango Ram will be released in cinemas from March 14.
‘Masterfully blending the gravity of death with humour, creating an ironic contrast between the seriousness of the situation and the absurdity that unfolds’, as described by the expert, ‘Tentigo’ takes Sri Lanka cinema goers to a new destination while taking the international audience to look at Lankan cinema and filmmakers with a complete new outlook.
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- Producer Hiranya Perera
According to the story, after finding their father dead, to their dismay, his sons discover that something in him is still alive, well, and standing tall. His erected penis. What should have been a day of somber mourning breaks into complete bedlam as the two sons try, as discreetly as possible, to bend his organ before the funeral. In their quest to cover up the truth to save face, the two brothers are forced to confront their own troubled relationship and deal with their dead father’s secret love life.
The film is set in the backdrop of a death and a funeral, a solemn event that deeply impacts the grieving family. However this utmost serious setting turns to a situation which completely funny and comical.
The humour emerges not from the characters trying to be funny but from the natural contradictions of life and death, grief and absurdity. Their earnest attempts to manage the funeral, maintain social appearances, or resolve unexpected complications create moments of dark irony, where the audience finds themselves laughing at situations that should typically evoke sorrow. This balance between tragedy and comedy, where the characters remain deeply invested in their struggles while the audience perceives the inherent humour in their predicament, is what makes ‘Tentigo’ a true dark comedy.
With a wonderful performance playing humour in a completely somber environment, the cast include Kaushalya Fernando, Priyantha Sirikumara, Thusitha Laknath, Ranjith Panagoda, Chandani Seneviratne, Chamila Peiris, Dilhani Ekanayake, Sulochana Weerasinghe, Aloka Gayathrie, Koralage Saman, Sanjeewa Upendra, Madura Prabashwara, Raja Ganeshan, Sarath Moronthuduwa, Asela de Silva and Prasanna Dakumpitiya.
Behind the screen Aathan Sivananthar is the editor, Ajantha Alahakoon Production Designer, Leon Bob James, Music Composer, Nanda Nandi Jayakodi – Sound Editor Rangana Sinharage- Music & Sound Supervisor, Tapas Nayak – Sound Mixer, Dinindu Jagdoda-colourist, Niroshan Edirimanne- assistant director and Manjula Perera is production Manager.
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