‘According to Matthew’ starring Jacqueline and Alston enthralls Lankan audience

Jacqueline Fernandez stars in her first English movie and cinematic appearance in a Sri Lankan made movie, ‘According to Matthew’ by renowned director/producer Chandran Rutnam. The movie which premiered at Regal Cinema, on 23 November, is poised to become a part of international film history, whereupon it captures the despair of sexual abuse, exorcisms and the all too human motives behind murder, standing as a portrayal of the abuse endured by women throughout time. 

The much awaited movie starring former Miss Sri Lanka Universe and budding Bollywood Actress – Jacqueline Fernandez, is loosely based on the true story of a popular, powerful and highly respected Priest of St. Paul’s Church in Colombo. The plot follows a sought after Exorcist, Father Matthew Peiris, who in the late 1970s, conspired with his mistress to murder his wife and the mistress’s husband, by poisoning the victims with a gradual overdose of insulin. Father Peiris evaded detection owing to his standing in the community and continued fearlessly with his nefarious activities. 

“It is an honour to receive such riveting support from the masses as we prepare to debut According to Matthew,” said Director and Producer ChandranRutnam. “We are humbled by the opportunity to share our film and an interesting part of history with the international film community and hope they are inspired by our message that aims to empower women to stand together against abuse and manipulation, finding their strength, no matter the circumstance.”

Written by Christie Eliezer and James Rutnam, the star studded cast also includes Alston Koch, Kian O’Grady and Bimsara Premaratna. The film interestingly so, was also shot on location in Horana Kumbuke Mansion,Sri Lanka where the historical events originally took place, in the pursuit of providing an authentic and unbiased representation of the real life story.

Pix by Indraratna Balasuriya