‘Asu’ competes in New York

Sanjeewa Pushpakumara’s newest film ‘Asu’ is being competed at the ongoing 18th South Asian Film Festival in New York. The festival started on December 29 continues till January 22.

The film revolves around a young mother who is fighting to save her unborn son’s life despite her suffering from a cancer. Nelum is six - months pregnant and 31 years old mother. Her happy family is shattered when she is diagnosed with a late stage of breast cancer. Not wanting to put the unborn baby’s life in danger, Nelum vehemently refuses any medical treatment and decides bravely to battle cancer. Her decision puts the doctors in dilemma and despairs the husband, who wants to choose her loving wife over the unborn.

The film stars Udari Warnakulasorriya, Sham Fernando, Dinara Punchihewa,Athula Veragoda, Somarathne Dissanayake, Chandani Senevirathne, Sampath Sri Jayasinghe and Swethaki Wadisinghe.

Scripted by Sanjeewa Pushpakumara and Sangeetha Nilnadee Godagama, cinematography of ‘Asu’ is by Vishwa Balasooriya and the editor is Ajith Ramanayake. Sound editor is Aruna Priyantha Kaluarachchi, music is by Ajith Kumarasiri and Namini Panchala, costume by Ajantha Alahakoon, art director is Poorna Jayasri and make up is by Narada Dananji Thotagamuwa.

Colour grading by Ananda Perera, still photography is by Gayan Rukshan Perera, VFX producer is Rashitha Jinasena and VFX supervisor is Dulanka Devendra. Production manager is Harold Karunathilaka and assistant director is Niroshan Edirimanna. Playback singing is done by Nipuni Saradha.

Sanjeewa’s first feature ‘Flying Fish’ (Igilena Maluwo’ world premiered at International Film Festival Rotterdam (2011) and was nominated for the Tiger Award. The film garnered many accolades and was invited to more than 30 international film festivals around the world.

In 2012, his second feature, ‘Burning Birds’ received many accolades and was invited to more than 30 Festivals.

In 2014, Biennale College Cinema at Venice Film Festival invited Sanjeewa in Venice to develop ‘Peacocks’ Lament’. In 2018, Sanjeewa’s film project, Amma, was selected to Open Doors’ Co-production Market at Locarno Film Festival where the project won the main awards (ex-aequo).

Printed and published by Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. on Sunday January 2, 2022 at No. 8, Hunupitiya Cross Road, Colombo 02.