An Independent and Interactive Tamil Community Web Site
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An Independent and Interactive Tamil Community Web Site |
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09-06-2006 PBS
Airs No More Tears Sister on June 27, 2006 By Rajika Jayatilake In a post-9/11 world intolerant of terrorism, instances of inhumanity anywhere come under microscopic scrutiny as never before. The movie No More Tears Sister, focused on Sri Lanka’s Dr. Rajini Thiranagama who stood up to the brutality of the LTTE, to be aired by PBS stations all over the US at 10 p.m. on June 27, 2006, strikes home this point in the most telling manner. Seasoned filmmaker Ms. Helene Klodawsky, who has won more than 25 awards for her films, sensitively portrays this poignant story of a lone woman’s extraordinary courage and heroism. The movie focuses on Dr. Thiranagama’s integrity and commitment, and her refusal to waver from her quest for democracy and freedom from the ruthless dictatorship of the LTTE. The film features rare archival footage, personal photographs, and re-enactments where Dr. Thiranagama is portrayed by her daughter Sharika Thiranagama. Michael Ondaatje, renowned author of The English Patient and Anil’s Ghost, narrates the film. Says Ms. Klodawsky, “ She believed Tamil militancy was the answer and joined the liberation movement. But when she witnessed the corruption and cruelty within, she felt compelled to document what she saw, and urged her people to resist blind adherence to any leader or movement.” In Dr. Thiranagama’s own words in a letter to the Vice Chancellor of the Jaffna University on her return from a sojourn in England, “There is no life for me apart from my people.” And in her search for freedom for her people, she paid the ultimate price. The P.O.V.’s Executive Director at PBS, Ms. Cara Mertes, says, “No More Tears Sister was chosen to be part of P.O.V.’s 19th season in a rigorous editorial process that weighs aesthetic accomplishment, storytelling integrity and diversity of topics. This is an artistically accomplished film told from a personal perspective about a timely and enduring human rights topic; what we sacrifice for freedom. In this case, a Sri Lankan woman, Dr. Rajani Thiranagama, sacrificed her life for her belief in non-violence as a way towards democracy.” This brings to mind a recent statement made by US Ambassador Jeffery Lunstead at the conference on “Aid, Conflict and Peacebuilding in Sri Lanka 2000-2005” held in Washington DC recently, “The LTTE has no respect for human rights and democracy but we have to try to establish it.” Source-C.Page |