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Lawrence Valin’s debut feature ‘Little Jaffna’ to premiere at Venice Film Festival

Published

1 year ago

2024/09/1

Lankan descent French filmmaker Lawrence Valin s feature directorial debut Little Jaffna is set to make its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The first clip has been unveiled from the film, said a report published by Variety.

The film, which Valin also co-wrote and stars in, explores the Tamil diaspora experience in France through the prism of gang culture in the area of central Paris known informally as Little Jaffna, named after the capital city of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. It is set against the backdrop of the Sri Lankan civil war, which ravaged the country from 1983 to 2009.

Valin developed the project after his experiences acting in and directing short films. His journey to Little Jaffna was influenced by his involvement with Jacques Audiard s Cannes Palme d Or-winning film Dheepan (2015), which also dealt with the Sri Lankan Tamil experience in France.

I got the audition to pass the casting for Dheepan for the main role, Valin told Variety. When I passed the audition, I was like, Okay, this is a life chance to work with Jacques Audiard, one of the best French directors. I love his work. However, after three months, Valin was offered a background role instead of the lead. I was like, Man, I passed the audition for the main role and I said, No, thanks.’

This experience proved pivotal for Valin s career trajectory. After that I started to think that I have to direct. Otherwise I cannot play, I cannot have any role or character, and I was okay, I m going to write and I m going to direct. That film influenced me to be a director. That s the link for me, Valin said.

Valin s acting experiences in France also highlighted the limited opportunities for actors of Tamil descent. All the time, when I get some casting stuff, it s like, you have to play the Indian, Valin recounted. And I was like, I m just not Indian. I m French too. He even went to the extent of learning English with an Indian accent to secure roles in French films, a practice that left him feeling frustrated with the industry s stereotypical portrayals.

Before embarking on Little Jaffna, Valin honed his directing skills with two short films. His first, also titled Little Jaffna (2018), was his graduation project from the La F mis film school. For this project, Valin worked with Jesuthasan Anthonythasan, the lead actor from Dheepan. He already had the experience with Audiard, and it was very easy for me to direct him, because he understood everything very quickly, Valin said.

While the first short was budgeted at 25,000 ($27,800) and had a 21-minute running time, the second, The Loyal Man, was a more ambitious 41-minute film with a budget of 250,000 ($278,000). You have the pressure going with that, because more money, more pressure, Valin noted. The film was selected for Clermont-Ferrand, where Valin won best actor.

For the feature Little Jaffna, Valin aimed to create a film that would resonate with both Tamil audiences and a broader international viewership. If you’re making a film [only] for Tamil people, just a few people will look at it, Valin explained. I need to put the war in a way to make everyone understand what is going on.

The director enlisted established Indian actors Radikaa Sarathkumar and Vela Ramamoorthy for key roles, noting their experience brought valuable depth to the characters. The film was made with the support of the French Sri Lankan Tamil community who took the project seriously when Sarathkumar s participation was confirmed, Valin said. When I met Radikaa ma am, it was just clear she wanted to do [it] without any money, Valin added. She played the character of my grandma, my real grandma. I give her the photo of my grandma, and she changed her way to be exactly like my grandma.

However, Valin decided not to cast Anthonythasan. Sadly, I didn t want him to be in this film, because everyone will say Dheepan and Little Jaffna because these are the only two French films [about] Tamil people, Valin said. People will always talk about Dheepan [and] its effect. And I say, Okay, I have to do something that it’s not, you don’t have to think about that.’

While the film is set in 2009, Valin intentionally avoided specifying dates to emphasize the ongoing nature of the issues depicted. People are still suffering there in Sri Lanka, he said. It’s important to say that people are still suffering there, and we remember them.

Valin s approach to filmmaking is deeply personal and hands-on. He not only directs but also acts in his films, a method he believes creates a stronger connection with his cast, many of whom are non-professional actors. It’s my way of directing. It’s to be in the heart of the creation with the other actors, Valin explained. Most of my actors are non-professional actors. They are very scared at the beginning, and I’m saying, Man, I’m with you. I’m scared too. We are going together.’ Valin broke his wrist during the first week of shoot and worked through the pain.

The filmmaker hails from a Sri Lankan Tamil family and his journey reflects his dual identity as both French and Tamil. The film is about identity, and I know that it’s deep in my story, Valin said. He sees Little Jaffna as a way to bridge his two cultures without having to choose between them. The director s cinematic influences are also deeply rooted in Tamil cinema, and he cites superstar Rajinikanth and Vijay as his acting inspirations.

Little Jaffna closes Venice’s Critics Week and is next headed to Toronto where it is part of the Centrepiece program. Charades handles international sales.

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News

House erupts over suspension of Deputy Secretary General

Published

6 hours ago

2026/02/4

Sahan Weerasooriya

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday raised concerns over the recent suspension of Parliament’s Deputy Secretary General and Chief of Staff, G.K.A. Chaminda Kumara Kularatne, alleging that the process appeared to be mala fide. Addressing Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne in Parliament, Premadasa said that the existence of a personal disagreement between the Speaker and the suspended official had created a potential conflict of interest.

Premadasa said disciplinary action against senior parliamentary officials had to be taken in keeping with established parliamentary precedents. He also questioned the legality and propriety of a lower-ranking official leading an inquiry against a senior officer.

“For the first time, we are witnessing a rift between the Speaker and the staff of the Secretary-General. All parties must step back, act democratically and ensure that the fundamental rights of Chaminda Kularatne are safeguarded,” he added.

ITAK Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam said Kularatne had not been given an opportunity to respond to the allegations made against him.

“This is a disgraceful situation. A complaint has been lodged against you with the Bribery Commission. Parliament is the supreme institution of democracy in this country, and the precedent being created here is dangerous,” Rasamanickam said, addressing the Speaker.

SJB Kandy District MP Chamindranee Kiriella said the Speaker was duty-bound to inform the House before disciplinary action was taken against a parliamentary official. SJB MP Ajith P. Perera said it was unethical for the Speaker to assume a leadership role in the inquiry, and called for the matter to be entrusted to an independent authority.

Responding on behalf of the Government, Chief Government Whip and Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said the chief investigating officer, S.K. Liyanage, an Additional Secretary, had been appointed by the Staff Advisory Committee on 25 August, 2025. He said Liyanage had been selected from a pool of qualified officers at the Ministry of Public Administration and had prior experience in conducting investigations.

Leader of the House and Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake said the Staff Advisory Committee had agreed on the respective powers of parliamentary officials, noting that the Secretary General would hold powers equivalent to those of Ministry Secretary, while the Deputy Secretary General would hold powers equivalent to those of an Additional Secretary.

“There is no irregularity in the conduct of the investigation or in the appointment of the investigating officers,” Rathnayake said.

On 24 January, 2026, Parliament announced the immediate suspension of Deputy Secretary General and Chief of Staff Chaminda Kularatne with effect from 23 January, citing concerns relating to his appointment. Kularatne had assumed duties on 15 September, 2023.

On Monday, Kularatne filed a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, alleging corruption. His legal counsel, Attorney-at-Law Mithun Dias, said the complaint had been filed against the Speaker in his personal capacity and not against the government.

However, Dr Jayatissa told the House that the investigation into Kularatne was based on concerns relating to his appointment, qualifications and the process by which he had been confirmed in that post and was not linked to any personal dispute with the Speaker.

By Saman Indrajith

News

78th Independence Day celebrations at Bogambara Stadium

Published

6 hours ago

2026/02/4

Sahan Weerasooriya

The 78th Independence Day celebrations in the Central Province are scheduled to be held today from 8:00 AM at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy.

The celebrations are jointly organised by the Central Provincial Council and the Kandy District Secretariat. The Governor of the Central Province, Prof. S.B.S. Abeykoon, is expected to grace the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The event will also see the participation of Kandy District Members of Parliament, the Chief Secretary of the Central Province, Mr. Ajith Premathilake, as well as representatives from the Tri-Forces, Police, school students, and various voluntary organisations.

The ceremony will feature a formal parade and cultural performances by school children.

By S.K. Samaranayake

News

Colombo-Kandy railway line to be fully restored this year – Minister Bimal

Published

6 hours ago

2026/02/4

Sahan Weerasooriya

Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake, has announced that the reconstruction of the Colombo-Kandy railway line, which was severely damaged by landslides in the Balana and Kadugannawa areas, will be completed within this year to restore normal train services.

The Minister made this statement during the Kandy District Development Committee meeting held at the District Secretariat. He noted that work will commence following the observations and technical reports provided by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) regarding the stability of the landslide-affected areas.

Financial Management and Development

Minister Rathnayake emphasised that the government possesses the necessary funds for development projects.

“Our government has the funds. However, all officials must ensure these funds are managed efficiently so that they are fully utilised for development, without being returned to the Treasury at the end of the year,” he stressed.

Improvements in Public Transport

Highlighting the progress in the transport sector, the Minister shared several key updates

• Recruitment: 700 new employees have been recruited to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and are currently undergoing training.

• School Transport: Steps are being taken to strengthen the ‘Sisu Sariya’ school bus service within the Kandy District.

• Infrastructure: The reconstruction of the Peradeniya Black Bridge (Kalu Paalama), which was damaged during the ‘Ditwah’ disaster, is nearing completion.

Welfare facilities for Private Transport Workers

The Minister also revealed plans to support the welfare of private bus drivers and conductors.

“We must look after the workers in the private transport sector as well. We are planning to establish a welfare fund for them and are taking steps to include them in the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) system,” he added.

Concluding his remarks, the Minister urged state officials to perform their duties responsibly and ensure that the inefficiencies seen under previous administrations do not recur.

By S.K. Samaranayake