REPRESENTATION OF MENTAL DISORDER PEOPLE IN SRI LANKAN FILMS

Abstract

The study examined the Representation of mental illness people in Sri Lankan Films and investigated How Sri Lankan films represent mentally illness people. The study takes qualitative methods and nonprobability purposive sampling was used to 3 selected films. A purposive sample of 20 key informants. The study used framing theory, media labeling theory, and critical disability theories. Findings indicate that most Sri Lankan films portray mental illness characters to awaken the audience's humor in the first 30 minutes. Also, the study stated that the accuracy has kept of particular mental illnesses portrayed in Sri Lankan films. Also, proper treatment methods are not given in many films. According to this study, Sri Lankan films are not providing sufficient space for characters within films, and the local industry,does not give equal opportunities to mental disable characters compared to other international film industries.