Wanakam

Switzerland, March 2005
FILM, Documentary, 82 min.

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directed by
Thomas Isler
Written by
Thomas Isler
Status
In distribution

Many Tamil refugees, even after years in Switzerland, still have only temporary residence permits. Their lives are worn down by the constant fight for permits and work, authorization to travel and education. Wanakam tells the story of Nixsan, put in a home for children, who has stopped talking since he fled from Sri Lanka; of Sasi, who is consumed with homesickness; of Mena, on her difficult path to independence and of Aiya, who escapes his loneliness with sad songs. The film illustrates how family structures are shattered by government-ordered isolation and also raises questions concerning the humaneness of integration policies.

credits

World Premiere
March 2005
Original Version
Tamil, English, Swiss-German, German (english subtitles),  colour, 35mm, 82 min.
Production
freihändler Filmproduktion GmbH, SRF Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen
Producer
Claudia Frei, Stella Händler
directed by
Thomas Isler
Written by
Thomas Isler
Cinemato­graphy
Matthias Kälin, Stéphane Kuthy
Editing
Fee Liechti
Location Sound Mix
Patrick Becker
Sound Design
Jürg von Allmen
Re-Recording Mix
Jürg von Allmen

World Sales / World Rights

World Rights
freihändler Filmproduktion GmbH

Worldwide Distribution

Switzerland
Cineworx GmbH Distribution

Festivals

(a selection)

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