Adapted from the Lankan novelist Shyam Selvadurai's bestselling book of the same name, the film is now set for a Netflix release in December.
Ava DuVernay's Array Releasing picks up Deepa Mehta's adaptation of Funny Boy
Mumbai - 16 Oct 2020 16:36 IST
Our Correspondent
Deepa Mehta's next film, an adaptation of Shyam Selvadurai's coming-of-age Sri Lankan tale Funny Boy has been picked up by Academy award-nominated director Ava DuVernay's Array Releasing. The film is expected to release on Netflix in December.
The screenplay for the film is written by Mehta and Selvadurai. Set in 1970-1980 Sri Lanka, the film is a take on the complex identity politics, conflict, viewed through the eyes of a young boy coming to terms with his own sexual identity in Sri Lanka.
When you get to distribute the latest feature film from one of your cinematic heroes, it is a good day. @ARRAYNow will release FUNNY BOY directed by the indomitable @IamDeepaMehta on @Netflix and with select theaters on December 10. Wow. An honor. A dream. https://t.co/RNusTprLAu
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) October 15, 2020
Mehta began filming in February 2019 and completed shooting in Sri Lanka by March early this year. The film comprises a cast of Ali Azmi, Nimmi Harasgama, Ingram, Rehan Mudannayake and Shivantha Wijesinha. Produced by David Hamilton, the film will debut on Netflix by December. US, UK, New Zealand and Australian audiences will be able to watch the film's premiere on 10 December.
In a quote to Variety.com, Ava DuVernay said, "Deepa Mehta's Funny Boy builds upon the iconic filmmaker's provocative canon of work as a film that is beautiful to the eye and emotional for the heart. Her singular vision for adapting this best-selling novel invites film-lovers to delve deep into themes of identity, acceptance, and family, while she shares the majesty and turmoil of Sri Lanka during this particular time in history."
