Two friends, Manoj (Gihan De Chickera), a bartender, and Stanley (Dharmapriya Dias), a fruit vendor, wish to immigrate to the West to seek their fortune, but have difficulties getting their visa applications approved. They come across an application to a handball tournament in Bavaria, and not even knowing what the game is, they submit themselves and a group of friends as the "Sri Lanka National Handball Team". For appearance's sake, they begin minimal training and then seek travel visas from the German Embassy. Their plans to simply escape into the West upon arrival in Germany are thwarted by the quick appearance of the tournament organizers and an arena of fans eager to see the prowess of the Sri Lanka National Handball Team.
Acting
Non-professional cast brings raw, hilarious authenticity
Direction
Pasolini's patient eye lets absurdity breathe naturally
Writing
Based on an actual 2004 scam — truth stranger than fiction
Director
Uberto Pasolini
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real 2004 Sri Lanka 'handball team' disappeared into Germany and was never found — this film imagines their humanity.
Director Uberto Pasolini produced The Full Monty; this is his gentler, more global answer to that working-class desperation.
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