Trailblazing former MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan documentary film “Ray Of Hope” To Go Into Production
February 27, 2023 | By Sasha Stoltz |
Toronto, On – Former Canadian MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan’s documentary film “Ray Of Hope” will be produced by Ryan Singh Productions Ltd. The trailblazing former MP will bring to the screen a raw and candid look at the trauma endured by many brave Tamil families who fled the armed conflict in Sri Lanka on their journey to call Canada home. The documentary is produced and directed by Toronto-based filmmaker Ryan Singh (Memento: A South African Artventure; H.E.N.R.I.). The documentary is executive produced by Patricia Scarlett (Rasta: A Soul’s Journey) and Nikila Cole (Wanderings; My Father, Joe) who also serves as a co-director and production consultant. Dayana Stanislaus is a cultural consultant with Nirothini Pararajasingam as choreographer. Roger Singh (The Pirate Tapes) is the Director Of Photography. “Ray Of Hope” is set to be released in 2023 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1983 pograms that culminated in the 2009 Tamil Genocide.
Rathika Sitsabaiesan is a former Canadian politician and activist of Tamil origin from Sri Lanka. She was the first Tamil person to be elected to the Canadian Federal Parliament, the first woman of a visible minority to be elected as a Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Rouge River, and the youngest representative to the parliamentary house. “Ray Of Hope” is told in Sitsabaiesan’s own words and of those who left their homes in fear for their lives. Sitsabaiesan brings to light the heart-wrenching struggles of Tamils who settled in Canada, now home to the largest Tamil community outside Sri Lanka. “Ray Of Hope” exemplifies the strength of the human spirit.
Ryan Singh Productions Ltd. is a full-service award-winning Film Production Company whose work has been centered on social justice and human rights.
Ryan Singh developed “Ray of Hope” as part of the 2022 DOC Institute’s Breakthrough Program in Toronto. He is a recent fellow of the BIPOC TV Children Writer’s program, Reelworld Emerging 20, Oya Black Arts Coalition Scale Up program, and the NSI-EAVE on Demand Access inaugural program. The project is also supported by the All In Media Group and the Canadian Media Producers Association Mentorship Program for Diverse Producers.
