White Van Stories - Sri Lanka

 

They hijack your lives. By the shadows of night; by the piercing light of day. They come for you in aggressive military green. Sometimes in cunning civilian shades. They grab you by throat without reason; they collar your shoulder without a warrant. Like slaves to savages you are led against your will. You are forced to leave behind a home of broken spirits to lament your loss; loved ones who will tirelessly look for you.

A search that will only leave them dry lunged and distraught in the face of unsympathetic officials and hostile threats.

Nobody knows where you are. You are no longer a recorded statistic of society.

You just don’t exist anymore.

Kanavuppattarai Productions presents…White Van Stories – a 2 hour docu-feature on enforced disappearances in SriLanka following seven characters from the families of the disappeared in North, East and South Provinces of Lanka.

Written, Directed and Produced by Leena Manimekalai, an independent Filmmaker, Poet and an Actor from Chennai. Her works include three published poetry anthologies and a dozen films in genres of documentary, fiction and experimental visual poetry. Her films have been recognized with avid participation and best film awards in many international and national film festivals.

The teaser can be viewed below.