It’s been around a year since Ee. Ma. Yau hit the theatres. The movie had a good box-office run and has since then gone on to win several awards and recognitions.
Set in the backdrop of a coastal fishing village, Chellanam in Ernakulam, the movie revolves around the sudden death of Vavachan Mesthiri. His son, Eeshi has promised to fulfill his father’s last wish. A grand funeral with a band, mourning songs and all the regalia; just like that of an Emperor. Kainakiri Thankaraj and Chemban Vinod Jose play the father-son duo to perfection. This has to be Chemban’s best role till date. The difficulties Eeshi face to keep his word forms the crux of the story.
Black humour is aplenty. Certain scenes leave you pondering whether it’s humane to laugh. Pouly Valsan as Vavachan’s wife, Dileesh Pothen as the Church Vicar and Vinayakan as Ayappan, Eeshi’s close friend have put in fine performances. Most of the supporting roles have been played by newcomers from the Chellanam area. Ee. Ma. Yau journeys through the lives of some common people at the event of a death.
The cinematography handled by Shyju Khalid deserves special mention. The first half of the movie is shot at night and all the scenes are beautifully lit. He manages to capture the sea, wind, and the people of the coastal village at night in all its beauty. Add to that the heavy downpour in the second half. Nature is a major element in the movie.
The sound design by Renganaath Ravee, Lijo’s long term collaborator, deserves applause for his attention to detail. The soundscape of the movie along with the subtle background score by Prasanth Pillai adds another dimension to the narrative. Lijo Jose Pellissery is one of the finest filmmakers in Malayalam industry right now and he exerts his craft on a never explored theme. Credit goes to the brilliant screenplay by renowned novelist P. F. Matthews as well.
The movie originally scheduled to be shot in 35 days was completed in a mere 18 days. Pellissery won the Best Director and Chemban won the Best Actor at the 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The film also won three awards at the Kerala State Film Awards.
Lijo follows up the path breaking Angamaly Diaries (2017) with yet another realistic, touching tale that is sure to leave you disturbed and pondering about one’s mortal life and the aftermath. Ee. Ma. Yau is arguably one of the finest films and will be remembered as a milestone in the Malayalam industry.