Venice-Bound ‘Little Jaffna’ Director Lawrence Valin on Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora Experience in France and Turning Down Jacques Audiard’s ‘Dheepan,’ Clip Unveiled (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned movie enthusiast who has journeyed through the labyrinth of international cinema, I find myself utterly captivated by the story of Lawrence Valin and his directorial debut, “Little Jaffna.” The film’s imminent world premiere at the Venice Film Festival is a testament to the power of persistence and the indomitable spirit that drives us creators.

Lawrence Valin’s initial directorial work, titled “Little Jaffna,” will be premiered for the very first time at the Venice Film Festival. A sneak peek of the movie has been revealed.

The movie, penned and acted by Valin himself, delves into the life of Tamil expatriates in France, specifically within the Parisian neighborhood colloquially called Little Jaffna, named after the capital city of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province. This story unfolds amidst the turmoil of the Sri Lankan civil war that affected the country from 1983 to 2009, serving as the film’s dramatic backdrop.

I, a French-Tamil filmmaker named Valin, embarked on this project following my stints acting in and directing short films. My path to “Little Jaffna” was significantly shaped by my collaboration on Jacques Audiard’s Cannes Palme d’Or-winning film “Dheepan” (2015), a work that delved into the Sri Lankan Tamil experience in France, much like I intend to do with my own project.

“Valin informed EbMaster that he made it to the auditions for ‘Dheepan’ and landed the part. Excited about the opportunity to work with Jacques Audiard, one of France’s top directors, who I admire greatly, I said to myself, ‘This is a fantastic chance!’ But after three months, I was given an offer for a background role instead of the lead. Disappointed, I declined the offer.”

That key event significantly shaped Valin’s professional path in the film industry. Afterward, he realized that he needed to move into directing, as acting or any other role was no longer an option for him. He declared, “I’ll write and I’ll direct.” That film served as a catalyst, pushing him towards becoming a director. This is the connection for him.

Valin’s acting journey in France underscored the limited roles for actors of Tamil descent. “Time and again, when I received casting calls, it was as if they wanted me to play an Indian character,” Valin shared. “But I’m not just Indian, I’m French too.” To land roles in French films, he even learned English with an Indian accent, a move that ultimately left him dissatisfied with the industry’s stereotypical representations.

Prior to taking on “Little Jaffna,” Valin fine-tuned his directorial abilities through two short films. The first, similarly named “Little Jaffna” (2018), served as his final project at the La Fémis film school. In this production, Valin collaborated with Jesuthasan Anthonythasan, who had previously worked on “Dheepan” with director Jacques Audiard. Valin found it straightforward to direct him due to his quick comprehension of instructions. As he put it, “He already had the experience working with Audiard, and I found it effortless to guide him because he grasped everything swiftly.”

In comparison, the initial short movie cost €25,000 ($27,800) and ran for 21 minutes. On the other hand, “The Loyal Man,” a more expansive production at 41 minutes, had a budget of €250,000 ($278,000). As Valin pointed out, this increase in funding brought with it an increased sense of pressure. At Clermont-Ferrand, Valin was honored with the award for best actor.

For “Little Jaffna,” Valin intended to produce a movie that would strike a chord with both Tamil spectators and a wider international audience. As he put it, “If you’re crafting a film solely for the Tamil community, only a small number of people will watch it.” He felt compelled to portray the conflict in a manner that would enable everyone to comprehend the situation.

1. The director recruited well-known Indian actors Radikaa Sarathkumar and Vela Ramamoorthy for crucial roles, acknowledging that their extensive experience added rich layers to the characters. The production was backed by the dedicated French Sri Lankan Tamil community who became invested in the project once they learned of Sarathkumar’s involvement, as stated by Valin. “When I met Radikaa ma’am,” Valin explained, “it was evident she was eager to participate without asking for any payment.” “She portrayed my grandmother’s character, modeled after my real grandmother,” he continued. “I gave her a photograph of my grandmother, and she adapted herself to resemble her exactly.”

Nevertheless, Valin chose not to include Anthonythasan in the film. He explained, “I didn’t want him involved because people will associate him with ‘Dheepan’ and ‘Little Jaffna’, which are the only two French films featuring Tamil characters. People will constantly compare it to ‘Dheepan’ and discuss its impact. I wanted to create something fresh, something that viewers won’t automatically link to those past works.”

The movie is located in 2009, but Valin deliberately refrained from mentioning specific dates to underscore the continuing relevance of the problems portrayed. “People continue to endure hardships in Sri Lanka,” he stated. “It’s crucial to convey that they are still suffering, and we keep their memory alive.”

Valin’s filmmaking style is deeply involved and intimate. He not only leads as director but also performs in his own films, a technique he feels fosters a stronger bond with his actors, many of whom are untrained. “This is my way of directing,” Valin said. “It’s about being at the center of creation with the other actors.” Valin explained, “Most of these actors are amateurs. They start out terrified, and I tell them, ‘Fear not, friend. I’m scared too. We’ll face this together.'” During the first week of shooting, Valin even fractured his wrist but pressed on despite the pain.

The filmmaker hails from a Sri Lankan Tamil family and his journey reflects his dual identity as both French and Tamil. “The film is about identity, and I know that it’s deeply in my story,” Valin said. He sees “Little Jaffna” as a way to bridge his two cultures without having to choose between them. The director’s cinematic influences are also deeply rooted in Tamil cinema and he cites superstar Rajinikanth and Vijay as his acting inspirations.

“Jaffna, a Small Town Production,” concludes Venice’s Critics’ Week and will proceed to Toronto as part of their Centerpiece selection. The film’s international distribution is managed by Charades.

Watch the clip here:

2024-08-22 10:17

Venice-Bound ‘Little Jaffna’ Director Lawrence Valin on Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora Experience in France and Turning Down Jacques Audiard’s ‘Dheepan,’ Clip Unveiled (EXCLUSIVE)

Read More

Minority Mindset