Puthiyavan RasaiyahDirector, ActorOttrai Panai Maram Movie Review : A well-meaning but static portrait of war survivors
Critic's Rating: 2.5/5
Ottrai Panai Maram Movie Synopsis:
Ottrai Panai Maram Movie Review: After the 2009 civil war, we open with a Tamil woman being raped by a Sri Lankan officer in a tent before returning to the other refugees outside. The story then jumps to February 2012, focusing on three survivors in a rehabilitation camp in Kilinochchi: Sundaram (played by director Puthiyavan Rasiah), Kasturi (Navayuga kugaraja), and a young, autistic woman who plays the flute. With help from an acquaintance named Bala, they relocate and seek work.
The film portrays their daily struggles - from employment discrimination to poverty. A scene shows a destitute woman with two children being turned away by a shopkeeper when asking for rice. The survivors battle PTSD, hearing phantom gunfire and voices from the war. It’s not like mental health is in the realm of even remote possibility, given other pressing issues at hand. Despite their hardships, they maintain their dignity, with Kasturi notably refusing financial help.
Ottrai presents an unvarnished look at war survivors’ lives, depicting the Tamil community’s superficial pity but unwillingness to offer real opportunities. The film takes an even-handed approach, showing prejudice from both sides - a wealthy Tamil expat attempts to evict Kasturi’s group to sell his property, while locals spread rumors about the women selling themselves to these expats. The politics is heavy here, and the director wants you to see it, regardless if it's true or not. Producer S Thanigaivel has made an interesting choice in backing this up, with the overall quality being good for an indie film.
However, the film’s understated approach works against it. Caught between documentary-style realism and dramatic storytelling, it often feels static. The heavy Sri Lankan Tamil dialect, combined with a lack of subtitles, creates a barrier for wider audience connection. While the 106-minute runtime isn’t excessive, several scenes drag without emotional payoff.
Ottrai illustrates the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s brutal civil war and how abuse came from all directions - not just ethnic lines. The execution is a bit lacking, even though the ideas were interesting.
Written By:
Ottrai Panai Maram Movie Review: After the 2009 civil war, we open with a Tamil woman being raped by a Sri Lankan officer in a tent before returning to the other refugees outside. The story then jumps to February 2012, focusing on three survivors in a rehabilitation camp in Kilinochchi: Sundaram (played by director Puthiyavan Rasiah), Kasturi (Navayuga kugaraja), and a young, autistic woman who plays the flute. With help from an acquaintance named Bala, they relocate and seek work.
The film portrays their daily struggles - from employment discrimination to poverty. A scene shows a destitute woman with two children being turned away by a shopkeeper when asking for rice. The survivors battle PTSD, hearing phantom gunfire and voices from the war. It’s not like mental health is in the realm of even remote possibility, given other pressing issues at hand. Despite their hardships, they maintain their dignity, with Kasturi notably refusing financial help.
Ottrai presents an unvarnished look at war survivors’ lives, depicting the Tamil community’s superficial pity but unwillingness to offer real opportunities. The film takes an even-handed approach, showing prejudice from both sides - a wealthy Tamil expat attempts to evict Kasturi’s group to sell his property, while locals spread rumors about the women selling themselves to these expats. The politics is heavy here, and the director wants you to see it, regardless if it's true or not. Producer S Thanigaivel has made an interesting choice in backing this up, with the overall quality being good for an indie film.
However, the film’s understated approach works against it. Caught between documentary-style realism and dramatic storytelling, it often feels static. The heavy Sri Lankan Tamil dialect, combined with a lack of subtitles, creates a barrier for wider audience connection. While the 106-minute runtime isn’t excessive, several scenes drag without emotional payoff.
Ottrai illustrates the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s brutal civil war and how abuse came from all directions - not just ethnic lines. The execution is a bit lacking, even though the ideas were interesting.
Written By:
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