Focus on change: "We are trying to make a platform for emerging Tamil film-makers," said Subashini Elanko. Pictured is Mr Elanko with female lead, Niloja Loganathan. Picture: Gene Ramirez
AUSTRALIA'S first Tamil feature film will screen at Reading Cinemas this weekend.
Called Iniyavale Kaaththiruppen, which translates to Sweeheart I'm Waiting for You, the film is the brainchild of Pendle Hill writer, director and actor Eelam Elanko.
"It is the first movie to be made by Australian Tamil people with local artists and technicians," said his wife and marketing manager, Subashini Elanko.
The film is written in the Tamil language, a language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of South India and north-east Sri Lanka.
It has English subtitles and will be screened in Auburn — "an area where a lot of Tamil people reside, so we thought that would be good," Mrs Elanko said.
Iniyavale Kaaththiruppen portrays the relationship between two Australian Tamil families and the cultural challenges they face in their adopted homeland, a topic close to the hearts of the Elankos who migrated to Australia eight years ago.
"The Sri Lankan people have a small film market because of the history of suppression in their country, so it's become up to the migrants to tell their stories," Mrs Elanko said.
The film features two original Indian-style songs — sung by Indian singers Unnni Krihnan and Su Jatha — and poems by Mr Elanko, who was a victim of war in his homeland of Sri Lanka.
The movie unfolds as the hero, Thana, professes his love for the heroine, Pavi, who rejects his proposal.
"The movie carries a message for the Tamil community, which is that mingling with other cultures doesn't mean we have to give up on our own," Mrs Elanko said.
GET IN LINE
Tamil film Iniyavale Kaaththiruppen is screening at Reading Cinemas, 100 Parramatta Road, Auburn, October 6 and 7, 4pm and 6.30pm.
Tickets are $15 and $10 for children. Bookings: 9636 7470 or 0413 546 349.