Lenin M. Sivam's 1999 Screening

Yesterday with two friends, Vakeesh and Dilani, I was able to catch a screening of Lenin M. Sivam's 1999 held at Innis College.

The film explores the Toronto Sri Lankan gang scene in the late 90s. With a time frame that spans less than 24 hours, it's a film that attempts to delve deep inside the Tamil gang community. It opens with a shooting that results in the end of a peace treaty between two rival gangs in Scarborough. With investigators closing in and rival gang members out for revenge, 1999 concentrates its time mapping out the toll gang participation takes not only on the individual, but the direct impacts it has on family and community.

After working on a few short films, 1999 represents Sivam's first attempt at a full length feature and as is the case with most first time productions, resources were scarce. Filmed on a budget of just a few thousands dollars and composed of a crew that consisted largely of friends and volunteers, this is a film that is no doubt rough around the edges. However, Sivam did comment that even with a substantially larger budget, he still wouldn't do much with the film's overall story and script; and you know what, I agree with him.

1999 will be screening at ReelWorld Festival, which runs from April 7 - 11.

~ CM