FILM Review

Ho Gana Pokuna: Inspiring and inspirational

Reviewed by Anula Peramune

The film Ho Gana Pokuna directed by Indika Fernando is an innovative film seen in recent times. It can be categorised as one of the best children’s films produced in Sri Lanka. The film is woven around a young teacher named Uma from the urban area who is recruited to work in a remote school with meagre facilities. The story unfolds around her struggle to arrange a trip to visit the sea, which no child in that school had visited before. The young energetic teacher’s venture in fulfilling the innocent dream of poor students is heart-rending, for, in making their dream a reality she had to face many challenges with the traditional and conventional thinking of the village headmaster, the power struggle between the administrative forces of the village headmaster and Grama Sevaka, the lack of basic resources and the lethargy of the village bus driver.

Uma teacher is an exemplary character who inspires young teachers, a gem rarely found in the arena of education in this country. As the film unfolds, the headmaster and the students have no faith in the young teachers appointed to the village for their stay does not last long. But Uma represents a striking contrast to them.

She is devoted, committed, inspirational, resourceful, considerate, creative and innovative. She had the key to open their hearts and to unfold their sorrows through the morning assembly.

The film contains a good moral; the charisma a teacher should have is implied effectively through Uma’s iron will to reach her target.

It begins with a telephone conversation between Uma and her lover.

While her lover who is a university student is seriously engaged in student protests against the government, Uma takes a decision to accept the teaching appointment to a remote school.

Young, energetic Uma stands as a contrast to her lover by trying to convince him of the necessity of looking at life in a more practical way, by accepting the challenge saying that there should be such people who face challenges in society to change it. She also shows the futility of student protests, for they stand aloof from ordinary people.

Her honest intention to serve the needy in whatever possible way is rather commendable.

Finally, after taking students to the sea, we find her Uma teacher meeting her lover who speaks about another great struggle ahead of them. Uma teacher’s struggle to enlighten under privileged students is one facet of the great struggle her lover is hinting at.

Despite a few unrealistic events as Uma teacher driving the bus at the end, the plot construction is satisfactory to a great extent.

Thematically the film conveys a valuable message to those engaged in education in Sri Lanka.

The inequality in education is conveyed through the lack of basic resources in the school. There is a satirical aspect where the Education Department gives a piano to this poor school. The headmaster’s comment that since it was the only the school in the area is Ironical.

On the other hand, it helps to develop the morale for teachers to put his or her full strength into the teaching career. I think all teachers must watch this film to develop their latest skills necessary to become competent teachers.

(The reviewer is attached to Mahaweli National College of Education in Polgolla)