

Funny Boy
A Film by Deepa Mehta
A moving look at a young man coming-of-age amid sweeping political strife, FUNNY BOY follows Arjie from boyhood to his teens in Sri Lanka of the 70’s and 80’s. Raised in the elegant world of wealthy Tamils, a minority group in a largely majority Sinhalese country, Arjie loves dressing up like a bride for pretend wedding ceremonies with his girl cousins. Oblivious to the whispers between his parents and other relatives, Arjie cannot understand why they call him “funny,” though he knows it’s a “bad” thing. When his magnetic, free-spirited aunt Radha returns to the family home and embraces Arjie for all that he is, the two develop an unbreakable bond. As Arjie, Radha, and their entire family’s lives are irrevocably impacted by simmering tensions in their country that erupt into civil war, an indelible story about love, identity, and freedom unfolds. Deepa Mehta (Oscar-nominated “Water”) directed this drama, based on a novel by Shyam Selvadurai.
Directed by Deepa Mehta • Screenplay by Deepa Mehta and Shyam Selvadurai • Produced by David Hamilton
“Funny Boy” is a luminous coming-of-age tale seen through the eyes of a relatable yet entirely unique experience
Funny Boy
A Film by Deepa Mehta
A moving look at a young man coming-of-age amid sweeping political strife, FUNNY BOY follows Arjie from boyhood to his teens in Sri Lanka of the 70’s and 80’s. Raised in the elegant world of wealthy Tamils, a minority group in a largely majority Sinhalese country, Arjie loves dressing up like a bride for pretend wedding ceremonies with his girl cousins. Oblivious to the whispers between his parents and other relatives, Arjie cannot understand why they call him “funny,” though he knows it’s a “bad” thing. When his magnetic, free-spirited aunt Radha returns to the family home and embraces Arjie for all that he is, the two develop an unbreakable bond. As Arjie, Radha, and their entire family’s lives are irrevocably impacted by simmering tensions in their country that erupt into civil war, an indelible story about love, identity, and freedom unfolds. Deepa Mehta (Oscar-nominated “Water”) directed this drama, based on a novel by Shyam Selvadurai.
Directed by Deepa Mehta • Screenplay by Deepa Mehta and Shyam Selvadurai • Produced by David Hamilton
“Funny Boy” is a luminous coming-of-age tale seen through the eyes of a relatable yet entirely unique experience
Upcoming screenings
There are no upcoming screenings right now.
In the News
Deepa Mehta’s “Funny Boy” Lands at Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Releasing
Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Releasing has acquired Deepa Mehta’s latest. An adaptation of Shyam Selvadurai’s coming-of-age novel of the same name, “Funny Boy” will launch on Netflix in December. Variety broke the news.
ARRAY Acquires Deepa Mehta’s Adaptation Of ‘Funny Boy’, Filmmaker Talks Women Of Color Taking Award Season Spotlight
Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Releasing has acquired the highly-anticipated dramatic feature Funny Boy directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Deepa Mehta. The film is based on the best-selling Canadian novel by Shyam Selvadurai and will open theatrically in select cities and debut on Netflix on December 10.
Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Releasing Buys Deepa Mehta’s ‘Funny Boy,’ With Netflix Launch Set for December (EXCLUSIVE)
Deepa Mehta’s latest film, an adaptation of Shyam Selvadurai’s Sri Lanka-set coming-of-age novel “Funny Boy,” has been picked up by Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Releasing, and will land on Netflix this December, Variety can reveal.
In the News
Deepa Mehta’s “Funny Boy” Lands at Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Releasing
Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Releasing has acquired Deepa Mehta’s latest. An adaptation of Shyam Selvadurai’s coming-of-age novel of the same name, “Funny Boy” will launch on Netflix in December. Variety broke the news.
ARRAY Acquires Deepa Mehta’s Adaptation Of ‘Funny Boy’, Filmmaker Talks Women Of Color Taking Award Season Spotlight
Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Releasing has acquired the highly-anticipated dramatic feature Funny Boy directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Deepa Mehta. The film is based on the best-selling Canadian novel by Shyam Selvadurai and will open theatrically in select cities and debut on Netflix on December 10.
Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Releasing Buys Deepa Mehta’s ‘Funny Boy,’ With Netflix Launch Set for December (EXCLUSIVE)
Deepa Mehta’s latest film, an adaptation of Shyam Selvadurai’s Sri Lanka-set coming-of-age novel “Funny Boy,” has been picked up by Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Releasing, and will land on Netflix this December, Variety can reveal.