Funny Boy & Interview with Nimmi Harasgama

It is very hard to write a review of Deepa Mehta’s film ‘Funny Boy’ without giving any spoilers. It opens in Sri Lanka in the 70s as a ‘coming of age’ story of a boy, Arjie, who seems ‘different’ and struggles to fit in with the expectations put upon him both by society and particularly his father. As he grows up, it moves into a political story of the riots in 1980s Sri Lanka during which Tamil people were targeted, their homes destroyed and many forced to flee the country for safety.

Adapted from Shylam Selvadua’s novel, the film is multi-layered, cleverly weaving the personal and political over time to show how inextricably entwined they have become. In Sri Lanka, then and now, it is impossible to separate the wider political, cultural and historical context from individual lives, loves and memories.

Both Aaarush Nand, as younger Arjie and Brandon Ingram, as older Arjie, give endearing performances which pull the viewer in to his innocence and charm, forcing us to root for him against a very tough, violent, historical backdrop. Ali Kazmi is convincing as the head of a family struggling to keep them afloat and Nimmi Harasgama, as the mother, plays a woman who slowly learns about what is happening around her and finds her own voice with a beautiful understated power. Agam Darshi is fun and heart-warming as the ‘crazy’ aunt from Canada and Rehan Mudanayake is attractively convincing as the love interest.

‘Funny Boy’ has deservedly been nominated to represent Canada at the Oscars. When you watch the film you will understand why. It is an important film on many levels which leaves imprints of both history and beauty in one’s mind.

FORM-Idea London, 17th December 2020.