Swara at Jaipur Film Festival
Popular actress Nita Fernando’s latest movie production “SWARA” (“Seven Notes”) - Originally titled “Journey of Hope - a film with a global message will represent Sri Lanka at the 5th Jaipur International Film Festival from January 30 to February 2 in Jaipur, India. The film is woven around the character of Narmada, an internationally famed Sri Lankan professional music composer and a symphony conductor. Highly-sought after Narmada’s life is a success story from every conceivable perspective.
However, an accidental discovery of her being HIV positive virtually re-configured her life for good, compelling her to embark on a heroic journey against social stigma associated with HIV and AIDS. To her utter disgust, she discovers that she has been cheated by her husband (Rohan). The journey leads Narmada to discover fellow travellers in a community of HIV positives who have overcome social stigma and who lead profitable lives. Ultimately Narmada wins back her rights through a legal battle helped by her beautiful lawyer daughter, Nimanthi (Sachini Ayendra Mahipala) who defeats multimillionaire entrepreneur Justin Weerakoon.
Apart from spreading a vital message against social stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, the film “SWARA” (“Seven Notes”) explores gray areas in contemporary Sri Lankan society through powerful characters such as super model Vihara (Anusha) who had a miserable childhood. Vihara bears a child (Anjali) out of an extramarital relationship with Narmada’s husband Rohan. Anjali is blind but has prodigious talents in music, symbolizing the innocent generation of victims of the circumstances. Padma (Damitha), a Migrant worker (House Maid) deceived by her Employment Agent and sexually exploited in the Middle East, returns home with HIV/AIDs , to confront effectively the social stigma by becoming a community leader. She helps out HIV Positives to lead a meaningful life through her Foundation. She educates the young men and women on HIV/AIDS and STD.
Joe– Beach Boy - MSM and Transgender (Danu Innasitamby) reveals different aspects of the city’s night life.The film effectively deals with myriad of socio-economic issues such as abject poverty, the sorry plight of Sri Lankan Migrant workers (particularly women), ignorance of HIV/AIDS and STD, child abuse and adverse impact of globalisation particularly on vulnerable sections of the population such as women and children.