original title:
Machan
directed by:
cast:
Dharmapriya Dias, Gihan De Chickera, Dharshan Dharmaraj, Namal Jayasinghe, Sujeewa Priyalal, Dayadewa Edirisinghe, Mahendra Perera
screenplay:
Uberto Pasolini, Ruwanthie De Chickera
cinematography:
editing:
set design:
costume design:
Sandya Jayasoriya, Rob Navis
music:
Lakshman Joseph de Saram , Stephen Warbeck
producer:
Conchita Airoldi, Uberto Pasolini, Prasanna Vithanage
production:
Urania Pictures, Rai Cinema, Red Wave Films, supported by Ministero della Cultura, Shakthi Films, Babelsberg Film
distribution:
world sales:
country:
Italy/Sri Lanka/Germany
year:
2008
film run:
110'
format:
35mm - colour
aspect ratio:
1.85:1
release date:
12/09/2008
festivals & awards:
A group of desperate slum dwellers, living on the margins of society under impossible pressures, find an invitation to a handball tournament in Bavaria to be the answer to their prayers, a one way ticket to the West and the wealth that will solve all their problems. Manoj and Stanley console themselves after their latest visa application is rejected. For Barman Manoj, the recurrent denial of his ultimate dream to live and work in the West is taking a serious toll, whilst his lifelong friend Stanley, struggling to cope with debt, the loss of his roof, not to mention the guilt associated with a botched 'get rich quick scheme', is running on empty and his enduring sanguinity, seriously on the wane. With their spirits at an all time low the chance discovery of an invitation to a Bavarian handball tournament appears to them like a present from the Gods. A quick evaluation of the situation convinces them that there are worse things one can do than submit a bogus application to the German Embassy and with that encouraging thought at the forefront of their minds set out to assemble the Sri Lanka National Handball Team from a mismatched collection of friends and colleagues, creditors, policemen, anyone in fact who might jeopardise their safe passage out of the country and a better life...