Clip Unveiled for Venice-Bound ‘Little Jaffna’

Lawrence Valin’s feature directorial debut, “Little Jaffna,” is set to make its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The first clip from the film has just been unveiled.

The film, which Valin co-wrote and stars in, delves into the Tamil diaspora’s experience in France, particularly through the lens of gang culture in central Paris’ Little Jaffna, named after the capital city of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province. It is set against the backdrop of the Sri Lankan civil war, which devastated the country from 1983 to 2009.

Valin, a French-Tamil filmmaker, developed the project after acting in and directing short films. His journey to “Little Jaffna” was influenced significantly by his experience with Jacques Audiard’s Cannes Palme d’Or-winning film “Dheepan” (2015), which also tackled the Sri Lankan Tamil experience in France.

“I got the audition for the main role in ‘Dheepan’ and thought it was a life-changing opportunity to work with Jacques Audiard, one of the best French directors,” Valin told Variety. However, after three months, he was only offered a background role. “I turned it down because I had auditioned for the main role,” he said.

This experience was pivotal for Valin’s career. “I realized I had to direct if I wanted significant roles. That film pushed me to become a director,” he explained.

Valin’s acting career in France also highlighted the limited opportunities for Tamil actors. “I was always cast in Indian roles, but I’m Tamil and French,” he said, recalling how he even learned an Indian accent to secure roles, which left him frustrated with stereotypical portrayals.

Before “Little Jaffna,” Valin honed his directing skills with two short films. His first, also titled “Little Jaffna” (2018), was his graduation project from the La Fémis film school. For this project, Valin worked with Jesuthasan Anthonythasan, the lead actor from “Dheepan.” “It was easy to direct him because he understood everything quickly,” Valin said.

The first short was budgeted at €25,000 ($27,800) with a 21-minute running time, while his second, “The Loyal Man,” was more ambitious, running 41 minutes with a €250,000 ($278,000) budget. “More money means more pressure,” noted Valin, whose film won him Best Actor at Clermont-Ferrand.

For the feature “Little Jaffna,” Valin aimed to appeal to both Tamil audiences and a broader international viewership. “If you only make a film for Tamil people, just a few will watch it. I needed to present the war in a way that everyone can understand,” he explained.

The director enlisted renowned Indian actors Radikaa Sarathkumar and Vela Ramamoorthy for key roles, whose involvement added depth to the characters. The French Sri Lankan Tamil community took the project seriously after Sarathkumar’s participation was confirmed. “She played the character of my grandma, mimicking her mannerisms perfectly,” Valin said.

However, Valin didn’t cast Anthonythasan. “I wanted to avoid comparisons to ‘Dheepan.’ Both films focus on Tamil people, and I wanted to create something distinct,” he added.

Though set in 2009, Valin intentionally avoided specifying dates to emphasize the ongoing nature of the issues depicted. “People are still suffering in Sri Lanka, and it’s important to remember them,” he said.

Valin’s filmmaking approach is deeply personal and hands-on. Acting in his films allows him to connect with the cast, many of whom are non-professional actors. “I want to be at the heart of the creation with my actors. I tell them, ‘I’m scared too. We are going through this together,’” said Valin, who even broke his wrist during the shoot but continued working.

Coming from a Sri Lankan Tamil family, Valin’s journey reflects his dual identity as French and Tamil. “The film is about identity and my personal story,” he stated. “Little Jaffna” bridges his two cultures without choosing between them. Valin cites Tamil cinema and stars like Rajinikanth and Vijay as major influences on his work.

“Little Jaffna” closes the Venice Critics’ Week and is set to appear at Toronto as part of the Centrepiece program. Charades is handling international sales.

Watch the clip here: