“Freedom” movie produced by Pandiyan Parasuraman under the banner of Vijaya Ganapathy’s Pictures, Directed By Sathyasiva, Music by Ghibran, Starring by M. Sasikumar, Lijo Mol Jose, Sudev Nair, Mu Ramaswamy, “Boys” Manigandan Malavika Avinash, Saravanan, Bose Venkat, Ramesh Khanna & Many Others.
“Freedom” is a gripping cinematic adaptation of a real-life event that sheds light on the plight of Sri Lankan refugees, the movie in a powerful exploration of human resilience.
In the aftermath of seeking refuge in Tamil Nadu in 1991, Sri Lankan refugees were interned in camps across the state. However, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, these innocent individuals became the subject of intense scrutiny and suspicion by the authorities.
The Tamil Nadu police detained several men and women from the camps for interrogation, confining them within the imposing walls and trenches of the historic Vellore Fort. Among the detainees was Maaran (Sasikumar), a charismatic leader who had earned the respect of his peers.
As the investigation dragged on, Maaran and his fellow inmates faced unrelenting brutality and torture at the hands of their captors, who showed no quarter. As the years went by, the investigation failed to yield any tangible results, and the detainees’ patience wore thin. In a desperate bid for freedom, Maaran and the others hatched a daring plan to escape by digging a tunnel beneath the fort’s walls. Will their audacious attempt ultimately?
Director Sathyasiva’s poignant film “Freedom” meticulously recreates the tumultuous aftermath of Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination in Sriperumbudur, shedding light on the plight of Sri Lankan refugees who were indelibly marked by the ravages of war.
Decades after the conflict, the film’s themes remain hauntingly relevant, resonating deeply with contemporary audiences. The narrative unfolds with a somber tone, capturing the anguish of displacement as families are forced to abandon their homes and livelihoods. The haunting visuals of sprawling tent cities along the shoreline and the squalid conditions of refugee camps serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict, evoking a visceral response in viewers and transporting them back to the darkest days of human suffering.
“Freedom” boasts a narrative with immense emotional resonance, Sathyasiva’s film ultimately falls short of harnessing its full potential due to sloppy execution. The initial sequences, which aim to depict the egregious police brutality inflicted upon the refugees, instead suffer from a heavy-handed approach. Rather than allowing the visuals to convey the atrocities, the film relies on testimonies and exposition, telling the audience about the suffering rather than showing it. This approach is compounded by an overemphasis on graphic violence and gore, which feels gratuitous and exploitative.
The camera work, too, often adopts a voyeuristic gaze, objectifying the characters and diminishing the impact of the narrative. For instance, a scene where a police officer objectifies a female refugee is shot in a manner that replicates the officer’s leering gaze, rather than subverting it. Similarly, the film’s depiction of violence often prioritizes shock value over nuance, with close-ups of injuries that feel insensitive and exploitative rather than impactful.
From a political standpoint, “Freedom” had the potential to take a more principled stance, but instead, it succumbs to a misguided and inflammatory portrayal of Kashmir. The jailbreak sequence, while inherently thrilling, is handled in a manner that fails to generate genuine tension or suspense, leaving the audience with a sense of detachment rather than being on the edge of their seats.
Furthermore, the execution of this pivotal scene raises more questions than it provides answers, undermining its potential impact. Sasikumar delivers a commendable performance as Maaran, bringing a sense of authenticity to the role of a Sri Lankan refugee, particularly after his recent success in “Tourist Family”. Lijomol Jose, despite limited screen time, makes the most of her portrayal of Selvi, a pregnant refugee navigating the challenges of single motherhood in a camp.
However, lip sync issues detract from the overall impact of her performance. Sudev Nair brings a level of brutality to his character as an investigator, but his one-dimensional portrayal prevents his character from being taken seriously. Ultimately,
“Freedom” had the potential to be a film with lasting resonance, but it feels like a missed opportunity, failing to capitalize on its thought-provoking premise.
Overall Our Rating :- 3.5 Out of 5
MATHIOLI RAJAA
Freedom Cast And Crew Details
Cast :-
M. Sasikumar, Lijo Mol Jose, Mu Ramaswamy, Sudev Nair, Malavika Avinash, Saravanan, Bose Venkat, Ramesh Khanna, Manigandan
Crew Details :-
Produced By: Pandiyan Parasuraman
Co.Producer: Sujatha Pandiyan
Written & Directed By Sathyasiva
Music: Ghibran
Dop: N.S Uthayakumar
Editor: Srikanth N.B
Art: C.Uthayakumar
Lyrics: Snehan – Mohan Rajan – Arun Bharathi
Action: T.Ramesh – Don Ashok – Danger Mani
Co Director: Vijay Prasaad
Associate Director: Shankar Nag Vijayan
Costume Designer: Sivaranjani
Audiography: Harish
Sfx: C.Sethu
Di & Vfx: Lixo Pixels
Colorist: G.S Muthu
Vfx Head: Raghava
Makeup: P. Mariappan
Costumer: Shankar
Production Manager: M.Thennarsu-Velmurugan
Stills: A R Murugan
Pro: Sathish (Aim)
Marketing & Promotions: Vijayaraghavan R – The Brand Max
Designer: Sindhoor Studio
Chief Executive Officer: B. Vinoth Kumar – P. Sivakumar
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