In The Name Of Buddha has won the Beverly Hills film festival award for Best Foreign Film.
The film, which has been banned in Sri Lanka, has been directed by an Indian from Kerala, Rajesh Touchriver.
In The Name Of Buddha is the story of a Tamil boy who is forced by the violence in his country to take refuge in Great Britain. The film depicts his and his family's experiences concerning human rights and random violence, the result of a conflict where violence only begets more violence.
The film depicts the role of the local rebels, the Sri Lankan army, and the Indian peacekeepers in the current predicament of the Sri Lankan Tamils.
The British producer of the film, Sai George, who is of Sri Lankan origin, collected the award. He dedicated it to 'peace in Sri Lanka'.
Touchriver, who was in Hyderabad, told rediff.com, "The feeling is that of satisfaction. By dedicating the award to the peace process, we have vindicated our stand. We are for peace."
In an earlier interview to rediff.com, he explained why he chose the title, In The Name Of Buddha. "Buddha taught ahimsa. But what is happening in a country [Sri Lanka] where the majority of the population is Buddhist? The land of the man who taught ahimsa has become the land of graveyards. It saddens you. I feel Buddha has become a silent spectator to what is happening in the land of his followers..."
Through his film, Touchriver hopes to bring home the point that the Sri Lankan problem can only be resolved through a genuine will for peace that is independent of race or religion.
