In the aftermath of Sri Lanka's protracted civil war, which spanned from 1983 to 2009, the nation grappled with deep-seated scars and a pressing need for healing. Amidst this backdrop, the documentary Journey emerges as a poignant testament to resilience and the transformative power of art. Directed by Visakesa Chandrasekaram and produced by Edit Village’s co-founder Daniele Rugo, the film delves into the narratives of five women who endured the harrowing experiences of the conflict. Through a fusion of monologues, dance, movement, folklore, and music, these survivors collaborate with theatre practitioners and academic researchers to process and convey their stories. This artistic endeavor serves not only as a medium for personal catharsis but also as a collective exercise in mapping and archiving memories, offering insights into concepts of justice, resistance, hope, dreams, love, longing, and safety in their post-war reality.

The origins of Journey can be traced to Performing Violence, a research project that explored grassroots, bottom-up approaches to peacebuilding through film and performance. Led by a team of academics and creatives, including Edit Village CEO Abi Weaver and Co-Founder Daniele Rugo, the project examined how artistic methodologies could foster understanding and reconciliation in post-conflict societies. Out of this initiative, Journey was born, transforming rigorous research into a deeply human and visually striking cinematic experience.

What makes Journey so compelling is its narrative approach. Rather than relying on conventional documentary techniques, the film employs performance as a storytelling device, allowing emotions to take shape through movement and voice. Monologues give the women a platform to assert their identities and recount their histories, while dance and music encapsulate emotions that often defy verbal expression. By incorporating folklore, the film anchors personal trauma within a broader cultural context, bridging the past with the present.

Chandrasekaram’s directorial vision ensures that Journey is not merely a recounting of past horrors but a celebration of resilience and the enduring human spirit. His previous works, such as Paangshu (2018) and Munnel (2023), have similarly delved into themes of justice and resistance, establishing him as a filmmaker deeply attuned to the complexities of post-conflict societies. With *Journey*, he crafts an immersive and emotionally charged experience that transcends mere documentation, transforming memory into movement, pain into poetry.

More than just a film, Journey exemplifies how art can act as a conduit for healing and dialogue. It highlights the potential of creative expression to navigate trauma and contribute to peacebuilding, making it a powerful case study for interdisciplinary collaborations between artists, researchers, and survivors. At its heart, Journey is a reminder that participatory and grassroot storytelling directly with vulnerable communities —whether through words, dance, or music—is one of the most potent tools we have for reclaiming agency, fostering understanding, and ultimately, moving forward.