Our aspiration is to present a report that is truly distinctive and unmatched. This is the standard we are determined to uphold. Through the Cannes International Film Festival in France one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world we seek to share our message with you.
The Dark Journey
Krishna is the main character of this story. A key moment in his life, and he is still alive today, inspired the documentary film The Dark Journey.
When he was young, Krishna lived in the Jaffna region. With a few friends, he tried to enter Europe as an illegal migrant. Along the way, they faced many challenges. They were tricked by traffickers and became lost in a big city. In the end, they had to give up their dreams and return home.
The Dark Journey shows the reality of illegal migration and its harsh consequences. It gives viewers a glimpse into the real lives of people who migrate without proper documents. Many years later, Krishna looks back on his past and reflects on the experiences that shaped his life.
This is not just Krishna’s story it is the story of many illegal migrants.
Why does this happen
For many decades, the politicians who ruled this country did not create a proper economic plan to improve the economy. Instead, they focused on helping themselves, their families, and their friends. Because of this, the country’s economy became weaker.
General society of the country had to face the results of this failure. Slowly, hope for a better future started to disappear. When people can no longer manage these struggles, they begin to look for other options. Some believe that going abroad, even illegally, will give them the chance to earn money and live with dignity. For them, migration feels like the only way to escape poverty and suffering.
But behind this choice lies many risks, deception by traffickers, danger during the journey, and sometimes the loss of everything they already have. This is why illegal migration has become one of the painful outcomes of weak leadership and a broken system.
The Director’s Treatment
Vision
Dark Journey is a poetic and haunting exploration of migration, memory and resilience. Inspired by the lived struggles of families in the turbulent north of Sri Lanka in the 1980s, the film attempts to blend realism with lyrical imagery. It is not only a narrative of displacement, but also a meditation on the invisible walls of fear, hope, loss and silence that cloud the lives of those caught up in the precarious migratory journey.
Tone and Mood
The tone will shift between gritty realism and dreamlike surrealism: Realism in its depiction of everyday struggles, crowded villages, military checkpoints and the dangers of escape. Surrealism in moments of memory and emotion clouds, fragmented voices, distorted soundscapes to represent the characters’ inner worlds. Overall, the mood is dark, intimate and reflective, gradually building to a sense of inescapable doom.
Visual style
Color scheme:
Muted five-tone (brown, gray, faded green) for realism, contrasting with pale blues and whites for dreamlike sequences.
Cinematography:
Hand-held, documentary-style shots of life and migrant struggles. Wide static frames for landscapes that emphasize loneliness and emptiness. Slow-motion tracking shots to capture emotional distance and the passage of time. Symbolism: Clouds as a recurring motif sometimes beautiful, sometimes ominous represent both dreams and uncertainty.
Sound and Music
Soundscape:
Layered ambient sound waves, footsteps, distant scenes, whispers and transitory conversations.
Music:
Minimal score with deep strings, flutes and drum echoes. In virtual passages, ambient drones will blend with natural sounds to heighten the emotions.
Voiceover:
A poetic narrative that connects fragmented scenes into a continuous emotional journey.
Editing style:
Non-linear storytelling, mixing present-day struggles with flashbacks and scenes of hope. Sharp cuts between close-ups and large, isolated landscapes. Occasional use of slow motion or freeze frames for symbolic moments.
Performances and Characters:
The actors are guided to act with restraint and naturalness, reflecting lived experiences rather than dramatic dramas, and the realism here is further enhanced by the lack of use of famous faces for acting. Silence, gestures, and facial expressions carry more weight than dialogue. In summary,” Dark Journey” is a cinematic poetic meditation that balances scale with realistic metaphors and silence with sound.
The TDJ platform is powered by an indispensable team. They are the ones who took the first step to bring everything together
The Director - Sujeewa Gunarathne
Sujeewa Gunarathne Award winning film director, screenwriter, and production designer with over 25 years of experience in the creative industry. Known for acclaimed works such as Kaala and Seema and honored with national awards for outstanding contributions to arts and culture. Possesses extensive expertise in storytelling, visual design, and folk research, with experience spanning cinema, television, advertising, and documentary production. Highly skilled in developing compelling narratives, crafting immersive visual worlds, and incorporating cultural authenticity into every project. A seasoned professional capable of leading creative teams, managing complex productions, and delivering content that resonates with diverse audiences.
The Producer - Faris Mohamed
Faris Mohamed is a businessman engaged in the motor vehicle industry in both Sri Lanka and Japan. He began his career in Japan in 1991, where he established his own trading business, and later expanded to Sri Lanka in 2012 under the same name. Over the years, he has successfully managed and developed his enterprises across both countries. While his core business has always been related to automobiles and trading, Faris was eager to explore new opportunities beyond the traditional business framework. With a vision to expand into more diverse and creative fields, he chose to enter the film industry. Driven by this ambition, Faris has set his sights on producing a feature film in 2027. As preparation and a steppingstone towards that larger goal, he has decided to support and produce a documentary film. This marks the beginning of his journey into cinema a new chapter where his entrepreneurial spirit meets creativity and storytelling.
The Research Story By - Athula Sulthanagoda
Athula Sulthanagoda is a highly experienced line producer from Sri Lanka with a strong understanding of international cinema. With over 40 years of experience, he has worked across various areas of the film industry, both locally and internationally, contributing to numerous productions. He is also the founder of Prime Asia Productions, a company that facilitates international filmmakers who come to Sri Lanka for their shoots. Through this company, Athula provides essential production services, logistical support, and coordination to ensure smooth filming experiences for foreign crews. In addition to his wide-ranging industry expertise, Athula is currently serving as the Executive Producer of The Dark Journey, where he brings his decades of knowledge and organizational skills to support the project’s success.
Sujeewa Gunarathne
The Director
Faris Mohamed
The Producer
Athula Sulthanagoda
The Production Executive
SRI LANKAN CREW
Sujeewa Gunarathne – Director
Athula Sulthanagoda – Research Story By
Mohamed Faris – Producer
Athula Sulthanagoda – Production Executive
Upul Jayasinghe – DOP (Sri Lanka)
Roshan Ahangama – Script
Manjula Ayagama – Art Director
Jeewa Weththasinghe – Production Coordinator
Chiranjeewa Perera – Assistant Director
Thurairasa Thuvakaran – Actor
Jesuthas Mathujan – Actor
Danny Kumar – Actor
Subramaniyan Raja – Actor
Dmuthu Chinthaka – Actor
Harendra Banagala – Legal Advisor
Prime Asia Production Management
Infilm Technical Coordinator
INDIAN CREW
Mahavir Sabannavar – Sound Engineer
Gopal Ravikumaran – Actor
FRENCH CREW
Muniesa Rafael – DOP (France & Sri Lanka)
Pierre Oberie – Sound Designer
Remi Nguyen – Line Producer
Offscreen
Within our production, there are many creators working behind the scenes whom you may not see. Get to know and appreciate the unseen talents who bring our work to life.
Join us
TDJ is a platform that brings forward the issue of illegal migration. This is our first attempt. We invite you to be part of the creations we hope to produce in the future. If you have any experience related to this subject, join us.
+94711225994
+94755302456