The moon in the distant sky is undoubtedly a depiction of billions and trillions of emotions, thoughts, feelings and tales.
The Full Moon reminds us of the Buddha’s birth, Enlightenment and Passing Away. This universal symbol appearing in the first scene of the movie ‘Pantrum’ directed by Nadie Wasalamudaliarachchi takes the audiences to another world.
‘Pantrum’ was selected as the inaugural movie in the World Cinema section at the 7th Independent and Experimental Film Festival of Kerala. The movie, competing with six countries was selected to this golden platform.
Nadie Wasalamudaliarachchi
Nadie Wasalamudaliarachchi, born on December 15, 1977, in the South, is a multifaceted professional — renowned as a journalist, news anchor, TV and radio presenter, producer-director, poet, author, and marketing expert.
Her literary work is best exemplified by the novel ‘Wolfhandhal Street’, written in the style of magical realism that blends fantasy and myths to transcend conventional boundaries of time and place. Her debut novel ‘Akasa Parwatha’ (2008), inspired by her own experience of exile, received critical acclaim. Among her notable poetry collections are ‘Premaya Samaga Doxawata Erehiwa’ (2008) and ‘Premaya Samaga Principalitiyata Erehiwa’ (2015), both of which gained popularity among alternative political circles and activists.
“When I worked as a TV presenter, I was on the TV screen for twenty-four hours. Therefore, I was very close to people. We did many programs such as ‘Tharu Mansala’, ‘Hindi Top Ten’, ‘Pahan Piyasa’ and so on,” she said. Going down the memory lane, she shared her memories with us. Nadie is an avid reader. She used to spend her leisure time reading books by Russian writers.
“I was such a bookworm that even book publishers came to know me. My passion for writing was inspired by my love of reading. I wanted to reveal the writer within me to the world,” she said, awakening her memory.
Many columns in various newspapers were adorned by her feature articles and stories. With that passion for reading and writing, she came to know newspaper editors and journalists as well.
The movie
Scripted in just two weeks and shot in only three days, the movie ‘Pantrum’ conquered the international film arena. Certainly, on hearing this, you would be taken aback. However, this movie is the result of ‘ over three years of dedication. ‘Pantrum’ is not a depiction of a glorious history which glorifies war, blood, trauma and violence. Nadie takes audiences into another aesthetic world filled with humanity through various symbols including paintings by many artistes Michel Angelo, Frida Kahlo and so on. The movie serves as a source of inspiration for anyone to unlearn trauma and violence.
Wraping up our conversation, she did not forget to extend her gratitude to the organizers of Independent Film Festival of Kerala, Prathap Joseph, P.K. Surendran, Arjun, K. Ramdas, Anusha Ganesh, Sampath Gunawardhena, Udara Palliyaguru and her cast and crew.
Her cast and crew were: Hemasiri Liyanage, Mayura Perera, Anasuya Subasinghe, Dilukshan Thirunakar, Akdev Liyanage, Pradeepan Tharmikan, Rishi Selvam and Pratheepan.
