SUNIL JAYASIRI 
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Flying Fish: Public performance board seeks AG advice
In light of the controversy arisen over a the screening of the Sinhala film ‘Igilena Malu’ (Flying Fish) at a French Film Festival last week, the Public Performance Board (PPB) today said they are seeking Attorney General’s advice regarding the course of action that should be followed in the future, when being notified or providing approval for foreign film festivals held in Sri Lanka.
PPB Chairman Gamini Sumanasekara speaking to Daily Mirror said they decided to seek legal advice concerning the specifications of the legal provisions granted to the PPB since at present, they are not equipped with the legal provisions to take action against screenings of any films that might contain material that might not agree with local audiences, at foreign film festivals held in Sri Lanka.
The French Film festival organized by the Embassy of France, was scheduled to be held during June 18 – July 14 at the BMICH but was suspended with immediate effect as it was subjected to criticism and controversy following the screening of the Sinhala movie ‘Flying Fish’ last Thursday (11), directed by local filmmaker Sanjeewa Pushpakumara. The controversy arose due to its content that allegedly features degrading and offensive content regarding the armed forces of Sri Lanka and the BMICH board of management announced they suspended the French Film Festival ‘on account of the contents of and the sentiments contained in the film’.
Concurrently, the Defense Ministry too has launched an investigation into the film and its contents. Director General of the Media Center for National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle commenting on the investigation that has been initiated said, “This film’s contents , we have been told, depicts an offensive and derogatory image of the Sri Lankan armed forces. Therefore, we have decided to launch an investigation into its contents,” he said.
In a statement issued by the BMICH Board of Management, while apologizing to the general public and the armed forces for permitting the film to be screened at their premises, stated approval to screen the movie at the BMICH premises was based solely upon the certification given by the PPB and under the assumption that ‘the foreign organizes of such events will always respect and honor the social, historical and cultural sensitivities of the people of the host country.’
Meanwhile, the Embassy of France issuing a media statement expressed their regret over the embarrassment for the general public and for the French Spring partners and sponsors over the suspension of the Film Festival. “The Embassy received from the Public Performances Board the certifications authorizing the screening of all these movies. The conditions put to the screening of “Flying Fish”, such as its one time only presentation to a selected invited audience without children have been respected,” the media statement read.
However, in spite of the French Embassy and the BMICH both pointing towards the certification allegedly issued by the PPB to screen the film - PPB Chairman Sumanasekara claims he has not given any such certification.
Meanwhile, director of ‘Igilena Malu’ (Flying Fish), Sanjeewa Pushpakumara commenting on the issue arisen concerning his film over Skype said, “As a filmmaker, I use film as a media to narrate my life experiences and this film too was influenced and inspired by such experiences. However, the film like all other art works can be interpreted differently by various individuals. The film is a multi-narrative and the story of the military officer is only one among the three. So describing the entire movie as an expression of derogation of the armed forces I believe is unfair.”
Speaking further Pushpakumara added that he has not yet been informed of any investigation concerning the film but added he would be willing to assist in any such investigation if the authorities seek his assistance. (Lakna Paranamanna)
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