South Asian Film Club: The Girls (Gehenu Lamai)

Schedule

Wed Dec 02 2026 at 06:00 pm to 08:30 pm

UTC+00:00
Location

The Manchester Museum | Manchester, EN

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Join us for this screening of The Girls as part of South Asian Film Club, inspired by Manchester Museum’s Award-winning South Asia Gallery.
About this Event

Sumitra Peries’ groundbreaking Sri Lankan film offers a tender and transporting journey through young dreams and first loves.

Kusum, a poor but studious village girl who cleans the house of a wealthy family, sparks a connection with Nimal, the family’s prized son. Soma, Kusum’s younger sister, pursues beauty pageants and dreams of acting, believing it’s her best chance of a better life. What unfolds is a lyrical and poignant coming of age story, brimming with yearning and feminine sensibility.

Sumitra Peries, known as ‘the poetess of Sri Lankan cinema’, became the country’s first female director with this astonishing debut. Beautifully restored in digital 4K, it feels just as fresh, illuminating and moving today.

This season of South Asian Film Club has been programmed by South Asia Gallery co-curator Nazma Noor and student Inayah Ahmed. The film will be introduced by a guest speaker to be announced.

South Asian Film Club is supported by Film Hub North with National Lottery funding on behalf of the BFI Film Audience Network.


Event Photos

Film Credits

Country or origin: Sri Lanka

Year released: 1978

Version: 4K restoration from British Film Institute

Duration: 110min

Certificate: PG

Language: Sinhala with English subtitles

Director: Sumitra Peries

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Where is it happening?

The Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester, United Kingdom

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

GBP 3.41 to GBP 6.13

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