Not Just a Film, But a Transformation

By Dan Holland

Sri Lanka was always described to me as a feeling, something you can’t quite explain in words. A kind of spiritual awakening. I didn’t fully understand what that meant until I set foot on this island and felt it for myself. There’s something in the land, in the rhythm of life, in the people who hold so much beauty, culture, and generosity that shifts something inside you.

Being an islander myself from Malta, and having worked in the UK film industry, I thought I knew what to expect. But working on INFLUENCER in Sri Lanka has been one of the most honest, wholesome, and transformative experiences I’ve ever had.

This film is what I always call “the journey of all journeys.” What these characters go through both Flo and I had to live. It wasn’t a cakewalk. We dove headfirst into lives that demanded everything from us. There were emotional walls to break down, real obstacles to overcome, and moments that tested us on and off camera. But that’s the only way to tell this story with truth.

Every single person involved on set and off lived it. Leeches and all (and trust me, there were plenty of leeches). But in Sri Lanka, you’re never walking alone.

I wanted to absorb everything this country had to offer, not just to ground myself in the role, but to honour the place and its people. That intention led me to one of the most unexpected gifts of the whole shoot: I adopted a stray puppy we found at one of our filming locations. A beautiful Sinhala Hound who I named Copper and yes, she makes her screen debut in the film too.

To walk away from a job and feel like you’ve been part of a family is rare. To make real, lasting connections you never imagined it’s a gift. And I hope that love, that effort, and that spirit comes through on screen.

And finally, a special word for our director, Nero who climbed down caves, tracked through jungles, and stood in quicksand beside us to guide this story with unwavering passion. That kind of commitment makes you want to give everything you’ve got. And I think we all did just that.