Cineflix Rights acquires “Song of the Sun God”

Cineflix Rights has struck a development deal with Synchronicity Films and Dragonet Films on the international drama series “Song of the Sun God,” adapted from Shankari Chandran’s acclaimed debut novel. Cineflix Rights has joined the project as a creative and financing partner, with first option on exclusive worldwide distribution.

“Song of the Sun God” (6x60’) is a contemporary emotional thriller that explores the loves, lies, and misdemeanors spanning three generations of a close-knit Sri Lankan family, whose story is inextricably entangled in their country’s three-decade-long civil war. Taking place in the UK, Australia, and Sri Lanka, the series unfolds from the perspective of Leela, a young woman living her life in London, largely disconnected from her own culture and unaware of long-held family secrets. An intensely personal and dangerous journey takes her across three continents to find her lost aunt and uncover the shocking reason for her disappearance.

Set against the present day fallout of 70 years of political turmoil and bloody conflict between the Tamil and Sinhalese communities along with the legacy of the island’s British colonial history, “Song of the Sun God” is ultimately about the wisdom, mistakes, and sacrifices of our past that enable us to live more freely in the future. The deeply moving saga is about finding home and forgiving family.

“Song of the Sun God” is being adapted for television by multi award-winning screenwriter Olivia Hetreed. The executive producers are Claire Mundell for Synchronicity Films and Karen Radzyner for Dragonet Films.

“‘Song of the Sun God’ is an immensely powerful novel exploring universal themes of familial love, tension, and redemption arising from previously-hidden dark secrets. What makes it special is how the story unfolds from a diverse, female perspective across three continents and three generations. We were incredibly impressed with Olivia’s vision to turn this critically-acclaimed novel into a stunning series with global appeal, and we’re thrilled to be working with Synchronicity and Dragonet who have such a great track record of producing high quality, global successes,”  said James Durie, Head of Scripted at Cineflix Rights.

Karen Radzyner, Executive Producer at Dragonet Films, added: “Author Shankari Chandran and screenwriter Olivia Hetreed are an explosive combination conjuring a riveting, emotional, high-stakes series. Centred on the present-day repercussions of decisions made by women navigating a family through a decades-long clash, it brings to light an untold story of a little known 21st Century war, whose ripples continue to generate global impact. Synchronicity Films and now Cineflix Rights are ideal partners to give this adaptation life”.

Claire Mundell, Executive Producer and Managing Director of Synchronicity Films, commented: “From the moment I read Shankari’s breathtaking novel I was immediately hooked on this deeply affecting story about the generational human cost of conflict on one family. Olivia is the perfect writer to bring this story to the screen and will do so with compassion, insight, and humanity. We are thrilled to be a part of this prestige project with Karen at Dragonet”.

Lastly, Shankari Chandran concluded: “What happened in Sri Lanka has happened all over the world. Sometimes we see the injustices and sometimes we care about them. Often, we don’t. Story-telling through television has never had more power to elevate the lives of others than it does right now. All I’ve ever wanted for this novel, was for people to see that the tragedy of war is as universal as the love of family, but that love is much stronger. I am really excited to be a part of the team as Synchronicity, Dragonet, and Cineflix Rights bring this novel to the screen”.