MGFF 2015. Two young men, and a woman, are entangled in a lustful love triangle. Sarasi wants to marry Chamath, who she feels is the perfect husband for her. This changes with the arrival of Nalin to their village, who develops a tender and loving relationship with Chamath. Chamath is now faced with a tough decision – who will he choose? Told from the perspective of Sarasi, the woman caught between these two men, the film follows the three from adolescence to adulthood, tackling questions of identity, desire, and destiny.
Frangipani is the first Sri Lankan LGBTIQ feature film. Sadly, the film has not played in Sri Lanka due to the country’s strict censorship regulations. However, having shown at festivals in Madrid, Canada, Bangalore, the Netherlands, and Mumbai—among many others—this film has achieved wide and well-deserved acclaim for its nuanced depiction of queer life in a culture which does not allow it.
Taken from the personal experiences of first time director Visakesa Chandrasekaram, this film’s honesty and truthful representation of a particular LGBT Sri Lankan experience holds nothing back. Beautifully shot and acted, and supported by stunning scenery, you’ll feel transported to Sri Lanka in this delicate piece about love, family, and choice.