Twelve Cries From Home: In Search of Sri Lanka's Disappeared

Twelve Cries from Home is a deeply-layered and localised work of travelling witness that explores the memories and stories of twelve war survivors, mostly women and relatives of the disappeared, to create a permanent record of their experiences and to understand their experiences for those outside the country. The book reveals the complex network of relationships between the agents of conflict and their victims, as well as the blurred boundary between victims and perpetrators, the role of informers, and the process of ethical repair after traumatic experience. It offers a rare glimpse into a country subject to enforced self-censorship, allowing us to take stock of social and political developments in Sri Lanka and what has and has not been achieved in light of the transitional justice mechanisms promised to the UN.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 08 February 2022
Publisher: Watkins Media

Since August 2020, Sri Lanka has witnessed a concerning surge in intimidation of witnesses and journalists, undermining the pursuit of truth and freedom of expression. Twelve Cries from Home is a powerful documentary that delves into the memories and stories of twelve war survivors, primarily women and relatives of the disappeared. These individuals sought to have their experiences retold, creating a lasting record to shed light on the realities faced by those outside the country. The film is the result of a journey across the island in late 2018 by writer and Professor of Literature Minoli Salgado, who revisited her ancestral home. Twelve Cries from Home is a deeply layered and localized work of traveling witness, offering a unique perspective on the concept of home as a place of belonging and security. It employs a Sri Lankan measure of distance, the call or hoowa, to explore how we can attend to difficult stories and hear them.

The documentary explores the bitter complexity of war by presenting stories from four regions of Sri Lanka. It sheds light on the intricate network of relationships between conflict agents and their victims, as well as the blurred boundary between victims and perpetrators. It also examines the role of informers and the process of ethical repair after traumatic experiences. Twelve Cries from Home provides a rare glimpse into a country subject to enforced self-censorship, allowing viewers to assess social and political developments in Sri Lanka and the progress made in light of the transitional justice mechanisms promised to the United Nations.

The film's narratives are deeply personal and poignant, showcasing the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The survivors' stories are interwoven with historical context, providing a broader understanding of the conflict and its impact on the country. Through their experiences, Twelve Cries from Home raises important questions about the role of media, justice, and reconciliation in post-conflict societies.

The documentary is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of documenting history. It serves as a reminder that the memories and experiences of war survivors should be heard and remembered, and that their stories can contribute to the healing and rebuilding of communities. Twelve Cries from Home is a powerful tool for raising awareness about the ongoing challenges faced by Sri Lanka and the need for sustained efforts to promote truth, justice, and reconciliation.

Weight: 226g
Dimension: 129 x 194 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781914420054