Machan [DVD]

Just at the tagline says, the real story of a not so real handball team- I can't say too much about this movie without revealing the story, it's very well done, based on a true story from 2004

This is a film based on a group of slum dwellers from Sri-Lanka who all want a better life. Living in what some would see as a seaside idyll; they exist in a hand to mouth way, barely being able to access the basics for survival. The main character is Stanley and he is the sort of lovable loser who just won't give up.Then one day he discovers a flyer for an International tournament for handball in Bavaria. They have never heard of the game but see it as a one way ticket to Europe and a better life. So they set out to form a team, learn the rules and learn how to play. The path is a rocky one, with a fair few laughs and a fair bit of heartbreak too.Now I have seen rave reviews for this film - which is why I got it - however, it is far from the show stopper it is claimed. It is very well made and the actors all do an excellent job. There are a couple of `wtf' moments - but that is forgivable. The elephant in the room with this though is illegal migration and the idea that a ticket to Europe or `the West' is a panacea for all ills, the beauty of Sri Lanka etc is just ignored - and this film more than propagates the myth.As a piece of entertainment it works very well as a piece of serious social comment it is more of a puff piece and lets itself down a bit for it.

This is a film based on a group of slum dwellers from Sri-Lanka who all want a better life. Living in what some would see as a seaside idyll; they exist in a hand to mouth way, barely being able to access the basics for survival. The main character is Stanley and he is the sort of lovable loser who just won't give up.Then one day he discovers a flyer for an International tournament for handball in Bavaria. They have never heard of the game but see it as a one way ticket to Europe and a better life. So they set out to form a team, learn the rules and learn how to play. The path is a rocky one, with a fair few laughs and a fair bit of heartbreak too.Now I have seen rave reviews for this film - which is why I got it - however, it is far from the show stopper it is claimed. It is very well made and the actors all do an excellent job. There are a couple of `wtf' moments - but that is forgivable. The elephant in the room with this though is illegal migration and the idea that a ticket to Europe or `the West' is a panacea for all ills, the beauty of Sri Lanka etc is just ignored - and this film more than propagates the myth.As a piece of entertainment it works very well as a piece of serious social comment it is more of a puff piece and lets itself down a bit for it.

This is an excellent film, for anyone but especially for anyone who loves Sri Lanka. Heart-warming, sad, poignant, funny - the whole lot.

A fun movie. The mystery is why it had such a short run in UK cinemas. Maybe a mixture of poor marketing and a not very appealing title?

I watched this film at the cinema and even when I had put it on I could not switch off untill it had finished

FIlm bellissimo, DVD in ottime condizioni, sicuramente lo ricomprerei, tempi di consegna brevi! ! ! ! ! ! ! !