Flying with One Wing

This audacious drama about the tangled prevailing attitudes in Sri Lankan society to sexuality and social conformity uses very broad strokes indeed in elaborating its story of car mechanic Manju, a man 'born as a woman' who successfully hides his sexuality from his wife, family and workmates until increasing pressures force him to desperate acts. Using a tragi-farcical format, reminiscent of the Czech New Wave at its worst, and lurid colour Expressionism, the film is full of angst, gallows humour and supposedly subversive narrative techniques. The anguish caused by the sexism, homophobia and general intolerance in Sri Lanka is all too evident, but the movie's uncertain tone and over-ambitious script make for an uncomfortable experience.