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| Sunday, 25 May 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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The mirror making factory A play to reflect on by Neomi Kodikara Do you think a paranoiac chase to kill a man is normal? No. So then what of George Bush when he declares 'war on terror'? Oh, in that case, of course he is absolutely normal.
Who is totally self-focused, making false promises, lying compulsively, hungry for publicity? A narcissist, obviously. Is narcissism 'normal'? No. But then what if this person concerned is a politician? Oh, then he is perfectly normal. This sifting of the 'normal' from the 'abnormal' comes in 'The Mirror Making Factory' produced by the 'Stages' theatre company in association with the National Council for Mental Health and directed by Ruwanthie De Chickera. The audience is taken on a tour of the 'Modern Man Foundation' (MMF), a revolutionary institution which moulds 'perfect' human beings for the new millennium. It is through the monitoring of the progress of one MMF applicant that the audience discovers what a modern man is. The stage play reflects the reality of the modern day monotonous routine lifestyle which has taken the individualism out from people, creating them mechanical robots. The script, worked out as a collaborative effort following a series of workshops organised by members of the 'Stages' with the staff, clientele and volunteers of 'Sahanaya' is witty, satirical and comic. However, through the humour the grim reality of modern day life is brought out. The language of the play is smooth flowing, in colloquial Sinhala and English. 'Sahanaya' clients were also involved in acting, however, it is impossible for anyone to draw a line between the 'normals' and 'abnormals'. The play draws on various aspects of popular culture through the jokes and puns made at the expense of advertising jingles and punch lines. This shows the strong impact of advertising in everyday life and it was the very reason why Triad Advertising (Pvt) Ltd. took on the role of main sponsor and organiser. "We cannot hide behind the veil, denying the accusations made against us ad agencies of not being ethical in advertising thus contributing to the moral deterioration of a society," says Varuni Fernando, Jt. Managing Director for Triad. She says that the realisation about the fine line between the 'normal' and 'abnormal' she got by watching the drama earlier this year, was shocking and indeed frightening to anyone 'at the border line'. As a segment of their tenth Anniversary Celebrations, Triad has taken up raising funds for 'Sahanaya', a less publicised but vital sphere of social service as their charity programme. Social stigma attached to mental health problems and discrimination of people with mental health disorders prompted them to choose 'Sahanaya' for this worthy cause. A million rupees is expected to be raised and it will be given to `Sahanaya' to start up a special, innovative project that is useful to these people. "We are seeking the opportunities to blend them academically in the advertising industry," she says. It is found out that about 1 per cent of Sri Lankan population suffer from major mental disorders and about 12.5 per cent suffer from minor mental problems. The Ceylon Daily News, Dinamina, Independent Television Network (ITN), Sun FM and Gold FM are providing the media sponsorship for the event. The play goes on boards at Lionel Wendt on May 31 and June 1 at 7.30 p.m. So be there and discover how normal you are! ########## Part of Cannes Film Festival devoted to Third World cinema by Paul Michaud For the first time in its history, the Cannes Film Festival has decided to set up a special village - called Cinemas du Sud - which is devoted to promoting the films of the Third World. It was inaugurated with much pomp by a number of international celebrities under the aegis of Jean-Jacques Aillagon, the French Minister of Culture and Communication. Parallel to this venture - undertaken in conjunction with governmental satellite network TV5, Canal France International, as well as the Centre National de la Cinematographie - the French Foreign Affairs Ministry has also decided to devote a special page on its official web site (www.France.diplomatie.fr) to the subject of films produced by smaller less-developed countries, notably those in the southern hemisphere. The new pavillion - which will henceforth become a regular part of the Cannes Festival, considered the world's leading film showplace as well as audiovisual marketplace - is located in the International Village where it's been attributed 400 square meters of space, "this to allow film and TV professionals to meet with each other, show their work, and overall engage in exchanges on the subject," notes the Quai d'Orsay's official spokesman. The special section has several monitors and PCs which allow potential buyers to view films produced by Third World filmmakers, as well as a separate projection room and conference room where creators from the less developed world - for example, Iran and Afghanistan, which have been invited to show their latest productions at this year's festival - will be able to officially launch their works. A festival of films is also scheduled to run parallel to the Cannes Film Festival, and is being hosted not only by the French Government but also by the European Commission, which has decided to step up its own financial support to films made by creators from the under developed world. ########## Duo from Switzerland to perform on May 29 Gil and Jef the singer and guitarist from Switzerland will be performing in Sri Lanka for the first time at Alliance Francaise Colombo on May 29, and Alliance Francaise Kandy on June 6, in aid of the Mentally Retarded Girls' School in Moratuwa and IDE School in Nugegoda. They are exceptionals. And winners too. It was not only the hardships of learning the finer points of music and performance they had to overcome. But, the boulders of mental retardation and handicaps that stood in their way. After years of hardship and toil they reap the harvest now and in return, help the fellow human beings suffering from mental retardation and handicap. Gil the 29-year-old singer himself is mentally retarded, through a rare generic illness. He is accompanied on the guitar by Jef. The duo had been performing together for the past 10 years and offer a repertoire from Brassens to Vigneault, a perfect imitation of Gainsbourg, Bourvil, Aznavour, Michael Simon and more. The visiting duo will be accompanied by 5 musicians, four of them handicapped themselves. They are expected to charm the Sri Lankan audience with the rhythms and beat of the sixties and seventies. The band is scheduled to be featured on the "Bonsoir" programme as well. Tickets could be purchased from Elvira Mertz 574289, Anne Crettaz 0777-748272, Arlette Palmer 0777-877202 and Madeleine Fernando 647022. |
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