Q&A with director Lawrence Valin!
The gripping and exuberant crime thriller LITTLE JAFFNA, directed by Lawrence Valin (3rd i Fest Alumnus for THE LOYAL MAN short film, 2020), is layered with nuanced sociopolitical underpinnings. This stunning film is an impressive debut feature that explores identity and belonging within the Tamil Community in Paris, France.
Set in the lively La Chapelle district in Paris, fondly known as Little Jaffna, the film follows Michael, a young undercover French police officer of Sri Lankan descent, portrayed by Valin himself, who is assigned to infiltrate a local Tamil gang. As Michael delves deeper into the gang’s operations, he confronts the cultural complexities of his dual identity.
Stylistically, Valin skillfully blends elements of Western crime thrillers with the vibrant aesthetics of South Indian cinema. The film explores authoritarian gang loyalties and patriotic nationalistic ideologies, and captures the challenges faced by immigrants, who strive to preserve their roots and integrate into French society while also celebrating the joy and resilience of the vibrant Tamil diaspora. The film also features Tamil stars Radhika Sarathkumar and Vela Ramamoorthy.
This program is sponsored by Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education, a division of the French Embassy in the United States.
