The Girls
Southeast Asian Premiere
Sumitra Peries Sri Lanka 1978 113 min PG
A sensitive exploration of two sisters whose dreams and aspirations come up against insurmountable class barriers.
Set in rural Sri Lanka, The Girls is a delicate portrait of the aspirations of two sisters thwarted by their humble background. Kusum, a scholarship student and dutiful daughter, and her cousin Nimal, from a wealthier family, fall in love after having grown up together. However, her aunt, who has greater ambitions for her university-educated son, forbids their budding romance. Kusum’s happy-go-lucky sister Somey wins a beauty pageant but her acting career is derailed when she falls pregnant with an illegitimate child.
Anchored by naturalistic performances from its young cast, this adaptation of Karunasena Jayalath’s novel poignantly depicts innocence lost and hopes dashed by class differences and patriarchy.
Synopsis Writer: Aditi Shivaramakrishnan
30 Nov, Sun 4:30PM / 113 min
Oldham Theatre
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The Girls
ගැහැණු ළමයි
Sumitra Peries
Sri Lanka
1978
Sinhala
English
113 min
PG
Southeast Asian Premiere
Sumitra Peries
Sumitra Peries (1935–2023), the first female director from Sri Lanka, grew up in an upper-middle-class but politically-conscious family. Starting with her debut The Girls, her films are social commentaries on gender, poverty and young love. In the late 1990s, she held roles as Sri Lanka’s ambassador to France, Spain and the United Nations. The 4K restoration of The Girls premiered at Cannes Classics in 2025.
Vasanthi Chathurani,
Ajith Jinadasa,
Shyama Anandan,
Jenita Samaraweera
Lester James Peries
