BUTTERFLY WINGS

Sri Lanka, 2006, 90 minutes, Colour.
Somaratne Dissanayake.

Butterfly Wings is a significant film from Sri Lanka. It was successful in cinemas in Sri Lanka.
The film is set in the streets of Colombo, areas of poverty as well as areas of affluence. It is the story of a family with various afflictions, the deteriorating health of the father, the unstable health of the daughter. The mother, younger, has the care of the family. But the focus is on the small boy, Sira, and his work to support the family, rousing up support for street theatre, not having any formal education, but hoping to get a bike for himself and a doll for his sister.
Western audiences do not see many Sri Lankan films. However, this is a film well worth seeing.


1. A Sri Lankan story? The settings? The issues? The personal tale of a family?
2. The Colombo locations, the world of the poor, the parks, under the banyan tree, the hospital? Hotels, shop shops? Realistic portrayal? The musical score? Emotional score?
3. The title, children, the matter for? Wings, tinged, beauty, flying, but a short life?
4. The city streets, the bush, the crowds, the people in the hospital, the bike shop, the dolls, the park and life in the park, street theatre?
5. Issues of child labour, the boy and his work, the store, hard, the authorities, the police, the regulations?
6. The family, illiterate, the father and his health, the marriage, the tensions? The boy and his hopes? The daughter and her illness? The mother and the care for her children? Her being urged to prostitution?
7. The boy and his hopes, a bike, the doll for his sister? His performances? Rousing the crowds? His character? Audience sympathy?
8. The father, his age, illness, concern about his family? The mother, younger, care for her son, concern about her daughter? Her playing the instrument with her feet?
9. The western as visiting Sri Lanka, suggestions of pedophilia?
10. The role of the authorities, keeping order, children and work, children and education, lack of education?
11. The story of Sira? His age, experience, family life, his ambitions, how realistic? His future?
12. A story from Sri Lanka, realistic, engaging?