Garasarapa: an attempt to bridge East and West
Jayanntha Chandrasiri's latest movie Garasarapa deals with a rather old theme, yet from a fresher perspective. Chandrasiri examines Sri Lankan mythical exorcist practises from an unsual perspective: the perspective of Sri Lankan Catholic identity. He juxtaposes the Sinhala exorcist practises associated with Kalu Kumaraya (black prince, a demon believed to be possessed with unmarried females) against Christian culture. Vidya, the female lead in the film seeks the support of a Catholic priest when the black prince possesses her. The film starts with her journey to the church where she meets Sadares Edirisinghe. Sadares comes with his ailing cousin as his gaurdian. Both Sadares and Vidya fall in love and ironically it is their immense love that defeats the negative influence of the black prince. However, Vidya and Sadares are forced to seperate when her family decided to flee Sri Lanka due to racial riots. The film records the Black Prince's promise to Sadares that he will make S...