I agree with you now that you’ve more clearly expressed what you meant by “free”. The fact that Barefoot excludes – by its pricing, location and ambiance – is I believe *precisely* why some of us choose to spend time there, away from the madness outside.

It would be interesting to see what you will face in the future as the result of the increasing justification of curtailing media freedom and civil rights through the Prohibition of Terrorism and Specified Terrorist Activities Regulations (PPTSTAR) and PTA.

Sanjana

Sanjana, never really thought we were egalitarian, but certainly believe in freedom of religion, conscience, speech and political beliefs.
and your right in that It’s a more protected space, people do not get hassled here, like they do at Lipton Circus or Galle Face Green, I think for the most part, people are just left to be. If you want to sit all day and battle the wifi, argue politics, dance on a table your able to do so. That’s what I mean by ‘free.’ Oh and If any of you were around in the early 90’s we exposed a lot of art and dialogue that other places would not undertake for fear of reprisal. You should have seen the hate mail.

I think Tulsi’s review of the film puts paid to any fascist fruitcake critics who may emerge from the wood-works after Sam’s creation goes on sale in the near future.

Sanjana

I beg to differ from your opinion. Any space is circumscribed by walls hidden and seen – physical, cultural, historical and emotional, to name but a few. The creators of spaces – public or private – invariably leave their imprimatur on their creation, either by what they bring in to it, or what they leave out. Barefoot is what you’ve helped create – it is owned by you and defined by you. It will never be entirely what “we” make of it.

All spaces exclude, by design or otherwise. The fact is that Sam’s choice to show the film at Barefoot necessarily excluded people – to believe otherwise is folly. I am not saying you should be held, in anyway, responsible for this exclusion, but to call Barefoot one of the freest spaces in Colombo I feel is taking it too far, lest we forget those who have passed through, and promoted their views at Liptop Circus and Galle Face and for no cost.

Barefoot is certainly tainted, positively and negatively, by the character of those who pass through it – but those who do are also selected by the fact that Barefoot is what it is and where it is. It isn’t a Lipton Circus, it isn’t a Galle Face, and a person who frequents either for their enjoyment, relaxation or edification aren’t necessarily those who will feel comfortable in Barefoot, and vice versa.

Barefoot will indeed continue to grow and evolve, and remains one of my favourite locations for a spot of quiet reflection on a pleasant day in Colombo – but I would not venture to label it as egalitarian and open as you think it to be.

Sanjana