“The Embassy received from the Public Performances Board the certifications authorising 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. ” says the Embassy of France Colombo.
Issuing a statement the Embassy says; On July 13th, the Embassy of France has been informed by the Board of Management of the SWRD Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation of its decision to suspend the French Film Festival on “account of the contents of and the sentiments contained in the Sinhala Film ‘Flying Fish’.
Flying Fish Photo
The Embassy of France regrets this unfortunate incident and the embarrassment for the general public and for the French Spring partners and sponsors.”
We publish below the statement in full;
Several media have reported about the suspension of the French Film Festival on July 13th.
The Embassy of France wishes to provide to the public the following clarifications:
- The French Spring Festival has been organised by the Embassy of France between June 18th and July 14th, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Arts, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall and many others partners and sponsors.
- This Festival provides opportunities for artists from the two countries to perform on a common stage and/or to share mutual experiences. In its framework, a dozen events have been presented in various artistic fields such as music, songs, dance, fashion, photography, books and gastronomy.
- The cinema part of the Festival comprised screening, in the premises of the BMICH, of Sri Lankan and French films selected by the Embassy. “Flying Fish” has been chosen, due to its international recognition in festivals in Asia and in France.
- The Embassy received from the Public Performances Board the certifications authorising 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.
- On July 13th, the Embassy of France has been informed by the Board of Management of the SWRD Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation of its decision to suspend the French Film Festival on “account of the contents of and the sentiments contained in the Sinhala Film “Flying Fish”.
- The Embassy of France regrets this unfortunate incident and the embarrassment for the general public and for the French Spring partners and sponsors.
- The aim of the French Spring Cultural Festival is to strengthen the friendly relations between France and Sri Lanka and in no way to harm any part of the Sri Lankan diverse society.
Lapatiya / July 15, 2013
Yes, yes, yes, every thing ok, but the problem is you people forgot to get the permission from Gota, who is little bit above the God. In Your Country it may be Ok, but do not forget this is our Sri Lanka. by the way even if you want to kill somebody or disappear somebody you need to have the permission from the same person. Next time you offer something before start anything in this country because they are the Hero’s who save the country from enemy.
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Hasantha Gunaweera / July 15, 2013
true
see the attach to Gamini Viyangoda
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dude / July 15, 2013
Thanks French Embassy for letting me see this film in Colombo – before it was banned! No doubt Gota the white van goon’s JVP and Balu sena fascists find the TRUTH about the militarization of Buddhism and war in Lanka – anti-national.
The banning of this film is media censorship and France should put pressure on Britain and EU re, CHOGM or Commonwealth of Clowns meeting in November – which should be aborted give lack of freedom of info in Lanka.
The Flying Fish is a beautiful and path breaking film. I saw it at the BMICH on Friday, It was about the human impacts and breakdown in human relationships that war causes in Trincomallee among border villages of mixed ethnicity. IT is a TRUE and effective portrait of the human costs of war and the brutality and sexual exploits of the military.
Flying Fish told an absolutely true story about the excesses of the military. Unlike the war propaganda films that portrays the military as War Heros – it also showed military excesses and the impacts of war on women and the rise in violence against women.
It told us how history books are distorted to portray the Tamils and Tamil King Elara as violent invaders and captured the militarization of Buddhism.
As long as the Rajapassa regime censors the TRUTH about the war and the military excesses there will be NO RECONCILLIATION OR UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE SINHALAS AND MINORITIES.
Kamalika Peris and her male companion of the JHU who where in the audience got this Film Fest which is very timely cancelled. The JHU and Balu Sena should be banned first for spreading hatred among communities and stymying the TRUTH about war and its social impacts in Lanka..
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Amarasiri / July 15, 2013
Yes, the the Public Perf Board is caught with their pants down.
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Sir John / July 18, 2013
yes, yes, gota drive only buddis cars
only buddis things
buy Indian !!
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Fairplay in action / July 15, 2013
Is the Public Performances Board trying to wriggle out of an embarassing situation by saying that it “Only rated the film but did not give approval for screening” ?
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Lapatiya / July 15, 2013
This French people does not know that even a crow cannot fly over our Gota’s head. How come then fish can fly over Gota’s head.
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Jim softy / July 16, 2013
What is the reason for an embassy to produce a film and show it to the public ?
It is about army, Porniography or Explicit sexual acts included.
why don’t they say it is exclusively for Tamil and Muslim people only.
Why should Sri Lanka should allow it in Sri Lanka.
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David Blacker / July 17, 2013
Why shouldn’t Sri Lanka see it? Lankawe inne thoththa babaladher?
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Peace Lover / July 16, 2013
Leela ( K A Sumanasekera) will say that the film was financed and directed by sambandan his idol whom he hero worships a lot!
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