Machan

2009 1h 49m SI

👍

6.9

SOLID

⭐

7.7

IMDB

★6.9TMDB · 22★7.7IMDB · 2,293

DramaComedy

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Two friends, Manoj (Gihan De Chickera), a bartender, and Stanley (Dharmapriya Dias), a fruit vendor, wish to immigrate to the West to seek their fortune, but have difficulties getting their visa applications approved. They come across an application to a handball tournament in Bavaria, and not even knowing what the game is, they submit themselves and a group of friends as the "Sri Lanka National Handball Team". For appearance's sake, they begin minimal training and then seek travel visas from the German Embassy. Their plans to simply escape into the West upon arrival in Germany are thwarted by the quick appearance of the tournament organizers and an arena of fans eager to see the prowess of the Sri Lanka National Handball Team.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Dharmapriya Dias
Stanley
Gihan De Chickera
Manoj
Dharshan Dharmaraj
Suresh
Namal Jayasinghe
Vijith
Sujeewa Priyalal
Piyal
Dayadewa Edirisinghe
Naseem
Pitchchei Selvaraj
Nesa
Kumara Thirimadura
Oaf

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Uberto Pasolini
Writers: Uberto Pasolini, Ruwanthie De Chickera, Ruwanthie De Chickera
Languages: English, Sinhalese
Countries: Germany, Italy, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 6% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 17 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Sinhalese.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 4 countries: Germany, Italy, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Uberto Pasolini, shot by Stefano Falivene. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Lakshman Joseph De Saram. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Masahiro Hirakubo shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Dharmapriya Dias and Gihan De Chickera and Dharshan Dharmaraj carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Uberto Pasolini directs. Stefano Falivene behind the camera. Lakshman Joseph De Saram scores. Masahiro Hirakubo cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in Germany, Italy, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom. Dialogue in English, Sinhalese.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 6% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
2Released 17 years ago.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Sinhalese.
4International production across 4 countries: Germany, Italy, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom.
5Directed by Uberto Pasolini, shot by Stefano Falivene. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Lakshman Joseph De Saram. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Masahiro Hirakubo shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Dharmapriya Dias and Gihan De Chickera and Dharshan Dharmaraj carry the top of the cast.
9IMDB entry: tt1172522 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Only 22 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.