On a recent Tuesday, film enthusiasts were treated to the first look of “Paradise,” the latest film by the esteemable Sri Lankan director Prasanna Vithanage, through its gripping trailer release. The movie boasts lead performances by Roshan Mathew and Darshana Rajendran, and comes with an illustrious endorsement from renowned filmmaker Mani Ratnam. “Paradise” is already drawing attention for winning the prestigious Kim Jiseok Award at the 2023 Busan International Film Festival and securing the Prix Du Jury Lyceen 2024 Award at the 30th Vesoul International Film Festival.
The narrative of “Paradise” unfolds amidst the backdrop of the 2022 financial crisis in Sri Lanka, a tumultuous period marked by rampant inflation and shortages in basic necessities that brought about widespread social unrest and hardship. Within this setting, the film’s trailer introduces viewers to a TV producer portrayed by Roshan Mathew, and his vlogger wife, played by Darshana Rajendran. The couple ventures to Sri Lanka to revel in their 5th wedding anniversary, only to find themselves inadvertently woven into the fabric of the nation’s ongoing socio-political intricacies.
Their guide, Mr. Andrew, played by Shyam Fernando, not only shepherds them across the breathtaking landscapes but also to the fabled resting place of King Ravana. “One day, he will wake up and save Sri Lanka,” Andrew prophesizes in the trailer. But the adventure takes a somber twist when the couple is ambushed and robbed, a narrative pivot that triggers their descent into the very heart of the country’s strife and turmoil.
The trailer teases at more than just a harrowing tale of tourists caught in a moment of national crisis; it offers a window into the deepening fractures within their relationship, exposed by the unexpected turn of events. With a tone both ominous and foreboding, Darshana Rajendran’s character half-jokingly muses towards the trailer’s conclusion, “Now might be a good time for Ravana to wake up from his slumber.”
Crafted with a script penned by Prasanna and Anushka Senanayake, the film’s cinematic prowess is further bolstered by the talented Mahendra Perera in a key role. The visual storytelling is enhanced by the cinematography of Rajeev Ravi, while the tale’s rhythm is given life through the editing finesse of Sreekar Prasad. Complementing the stunning visuals and poignant narration is the sound design by Tapas Nayak and the musings of music director Krishnakumar, known as K, whose composition promises to echo the film’s emotional and thematic depths.
As a production by Newton Cinema, “Paradise” benefits from the presentation under Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies banner. To accommodate the diverse linguistic palate of its anticipated audience, the movie will be released in multiple languages including English, Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, and Sinhala.
“Paradise” is not merely a film; it’s a mirror reflecting a nation grappling with the fundamental tension between order and chaos, between history and modernity. As Sri Lanka’s narrative continues to unfold in real life, “Paradise” promises to be a timely portrayal of its challenges, painted with a personal touch that is bound to resonate with audiences around the globe. As viewers eagerly await its release, many anticipate that “Paradise” will not only entertain but also invoke profound contemplation about economic adversity, its rippling effects, and the indomitable human spirit that fights to rise above it.
