South Asian Film Club: The Girls (Gehenu Lamai)

Wed 2 Dec · 18:00

Join us for this screening of The Girls as part of South Asian Film Club, inspired by Manchester Museum’s Award-winning South Asia Gallery.Sumitra Peries’ groundbreaking Sri Lankan film offers a tender and transporting journey through young dreams and first loves.Kusum, a poor but studious village girl who cleans the house of a wealthy family, sparks a connection with Nimal, the family’s prized son. Soma, Kusum’s younger sister, pursues beauty pageants and dreams of acting, believing it’s her best chance of a better life. What unfolds is a lyrical and poignant coming of age story, brimming with yearning and feminine sensibility.Sumitra Peries, known as ‘the poetess of Sri Lankan cinema’, became the country’s first female director with this astonishing debut. Beautifully restored in digital 4K, it feels just as fresh, illuminating and moving today.This season of South Asian Film Club has been programmed by South Asia Gallery co-curator Nazma Noor and student Inayah Ahmed. The film will be introduced by a guest speaker to be announced.South Asian Film Club is supported by Film Hub North with National Lottery funding on behalf of the BFI Film Audience Network.Read more