Filming Sri Lanka

Today we explore the connections between documentary film and tourism, as we present an interview with Tilo Wondollek, a German creative professional specialising in international communication, who shot a documentary film in the unique setting of Sri Lanka earlier this year.

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The film presents the country as a new kind of travel experience and focuses on travellers’ encounters with the indigenous community — the Aadi Vaasis, also known as Veddhas, and includes testimonials from various German and European visitors to the country.

Tilo Wondollek, born in1964 in Stuttgart, studied graphic design in Munich. He developed international marketing and design strategies for over 20 years and organised conferences on the topic of awareness development in business.

In addition to his commercial film work for companies, he has been devoting himself increasingly to documentary film production in the areas of camera, editing and directing production since 2014. Concentrating on areas of social and economic awareness development and sustainable living, he travels with his own film equipment and expedition vehicle.

In this interview Tilo recounts the potential of finding meaning through the artistic realm, mainly the art of documentary filmmaking, his chief passion. The interview also looks at how a country or institution can use the medium of documentary film making to influence meaningful changes on issues that need societal attention or discussion.

Tilo’s latest documentary, on Sri Lanka, filmed earlier this year titled Hondamai, and showing the natural beauty of the nation, Buddhist heritage, cultural diversity and the life of the Veddhas was produced by German national Annette Muller. The initiative was backed by her school Ecole San Esprit which has for two years selected Sri Lanka as the destination for the graduation ceremony of their students, adult professionals who seek to explore the vast expanse of energy healing.

Below are excerpts of the interview.

Could you speak of your work and evolution as a filmmaker?