Filming their courage

The film was made entirely by the children

A year on, the Asian tsunami still haunts the lives of those who survived, with long-term effects on the most vulnerable groups, especially children.

Plan has been at the forefront of the effort to address these effects, through documenting the response of children who suffered. Twelve children from Hambantota, Sri Lanka were picked from a group of 50 and with the help of Young Asia Television, were given the opportunity to express their views through a documentary film.

The film was made entirely by the children themselves and portrays the impact of the tragedy and how it changed their lives.

Ranging from 10 to 18 years of age, the adolescent filmmakers formed groups and assigned each other the tasks of scripting, directing and acting as well as understanding the technical functions that are vital in such a venture.

Once it is completed, the film will be premiered in the capital Colombo and will be telecast on national television. It will also be launched in Hambantota so the filmmakers’ families and communities will have the chance to see the skills of the children.

Children who took part in the project expressed their candid opinions. 16-year old Nishak who lost his mother in the disaster was responsible for the camera-work on the film. He says that although the tsunami was a shocking experience they wanted to focus on how children are facing their lives with courage after the catastrophe.

Scriptwriter Danushka says; “We are looking at how children have been brave.”

Tsunami children have been looking after each other

“Children must face such challenges. They lost their belongings, schools, facilities, teachers… but they have come to realise this is how life is,” continues Nishak. “I lost my mother. Now I live with my father and sister. We have had to learn everything, like going to the bank and gardening,” he states.

Sanifa’s father was swept away while shopping in Hambantota market. “Now that he’s gone, I have to go it alone. I must get used to it,” she says sadly.

Isurusiri, a 14-year old actor playing the main character in the film, said; “My friend Sampa’s mother was in the Middle East when his father died in the tsunami. He was crying a lot in class but we helped him. We helped clean his house and stayed with him. Then his mother came back and he was better.”

Despite the adversity there have been some encouraging signs. “Relationships have gotten stronger,” the children said.

“Before the wave my mother didn’t spend much time with me. Now we are together often,” says Sanafina. “My father, sister and I always discuss everything together. My father really listens to me,” added Nishak.

“People have realised that the old barriers between them don’t matter,” says Nishak. “They realise that they should get closer. And that’s made people better.”