The first trailer for “Spister,” the latest feature of acclaimed Sri Lankan film director Vimkuti Jayasundala, was announced ahead of the world premiere at the 30th Busan International Film Festival.
A French/Indian/Sri Lanka co-produced sci-fi drama follows scientist Anandi and performs a final ritual for his father to visit Hanuman Island. It is set in a dystopian future that is plagued by “Illvibe” (a pandemic caused by machine advantage). Anandi finds himself in quarantine in a remote hotel where the mysterious star begins to chase her. She eventually escapes and seeks evacuation with her mother and her transgender daughter.
“I chose to build ‘Illvibe’. This is a future disease that found its origins in technology and devices to narrate a film of loss and mourning, which is an existential common experience of all humankind today and in the future,” Jayasundara said in a statement from the director.
The film stars Indira Tiwari, Hidayas Hays Hazer, Zaumiya Riyanaj, Samanary Fonseka, Sripura Mitra and Kaushalya Fernando. Eeshit Narain is the director of photography and is the music for Alokananda Dasgupta.
Jayasundara has established himself as a major voice in international cinema, and has won Caméra D’Or at Cannes, notably for his debut feature “The Forsaken Land” (2004). His subsequent films, including “Two Worlds” (2009), have been shown at famous festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Locarno and Toronto.
“Spister” is essentially a spiritual liberation film,” the director explains. “It asks one question: How do we maintain our humanity in an age of broad voyeurism and technical control?”
The film has been announced through productions by House on Fire, Elenera Images and Film Council, with global sales being handled by a Bangkok-based repurposer. Biff will run from September 17th to 26th.
Check out the trailer here:
