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| Sunday, 23 April 2006 |
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Film review: Talk about a revolutionary By Meg Hewings No More Tears Sister Sharika Thiranagama, playing Rajani In No More Tears Sister, Sri Lanka's violent ethnic struggles are very much at the foreground of Rajani Thiranagama's life story. The outspoken Tamil revolutionary and renowned human rights activist was slained 15 years ago at the age of 35 because she refused keep quiet.
No More Tears Sister captures the passionate reality of revolutionary struggle for Thiranagama, from her idealistic middle-class upbringing in Jaffna, through the development of her strong belief in the equality of all Sri Lankans regardless of their ethnicity, and to her early struggle for Tamil rights and her eventual opposition to armed struggle. Although she revised her position on the use of armed groups, Thiranagama remained a stalwart "revolutionary" to the end, refusing to leave Jaffna with her daughters when Tamil professionals were fleeing en masse, instead inspiring the community around her as a doctor, a teacher and an activist. The film melds archival material, stunningly photographed dramatic re-enactments and Thiranagama's own passionate letters to reveal how the legacy of postcolonial conflict rages in Sri Lanka. Thiranagama's entire family break their silence to tell the gutsy story. Her sister Nirmala (a former Tamil militant and political prisoner now in exile) becomes our main guide, returning to Sri Lanka with the camera crew to recount their incredible struggles with erudite poise. Rajani Thiranagama's husband, a Sinhalese revolutionary leader and former political prisoner (and the guy from the opposite side of the ethnic track!),movingly imparts how the ethnic conflict and struggle tore at their relationship, even as it restored his humanity. Thiranagama's children (now grown and living abroad) and fellow activists
(many still living in Sri Lanka under the guise of anonymity in the film)
also speak out in order to create an elegant tribute to the woman and her
lifelong search for truth in a time of war. Thiranagama paid the ultimate
price for refusing to quell her indomitable spirit, but No More Tears Sister
resurrects that spirit with moving grace. (Hour.) |
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