TV Times

TV Times

Vimukthi vs Cannes
Cannes is not a new place for Vimukthi. His second short film (EMPTY FOR LOVE) Vide Pour L' Amour was screened at Cannes Festival 2003 section titled the Cinéfondation.

Created in 1998 and dedicated to the search for new filmmaking talent, the Cinéfondation presents in the Official Selection every year about fifteen short and medium length films from film schools the world over.

'Empty For Love' set in Sri Lanka and France depicted a situation where the civil war has ceased for the moment as a result of a ceasefire agreement reached between the LTTE and the government. In a situation of no-war-no-peace quagmire, public life is aimlessly dragged on in a long insecure presence.

And Vimukthi was the second Sri Lankan film maker to be honoured after Dr. Lester James Peries who went to Cannes in 1957. Founded in 1946, the Cannes Film Festival, has become the prime global platform for novel and experimental film styles and genres created by young filmmakers and seasoned masters can compete with each other for recognition and success.

The seal of approval from this Festival can go a long way to create reputations of the budding filmmakers. Iranian veteran film director Abbas Kiarostami, was the President of the Jury for the Caméra d' Or while Hollywood filmmaker Alexander Payne was the President of the Un Certain Regard Jury.

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