|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Saturday, 16 August 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Features | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
A 'land like no other' for film locations Sri Lanka is finding favour as an attractive film destination with several internationally acclaimed film companies and TV stations selecting the country as a base for their documentaries and commercial films. Presently, an Italian production focusing on the life of Mother Theresa is being shot in Sri Lanka. "This film, named Mother Theresa of Calcutta, is for worldwide release in English," says Chairman of Film Location Services (Pvt) Ltd Chandran Rutnam whose company provides location assistance to this film. The film directed by Fabrizio Costa stars acclaimed actress Olivia Hussey, says Rutnam. The film's shooting commenced in July and is scheduled to be completed this month. According to an official of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB), film and TV producers from Switzerland, Germany, France, United Kingdom and even neighbouring India have visited Sri Lanka during the last few months to select locations. "Most of these producers and film crew had read about the country or visited Sri Lanka on brief tours. They subsequently made arrangements with foreign missions overseas to visit Sri Lanka to choose potential film localities," the official said. Given the destination's diversity, Sri Lanka does offer a variety of landscapes and natural settings that are unsurpassed anywhere in the world, he said, be it salubrious hill stations, golden beaches or stunning scenery. This year, Telesgop Television, Fil du Village France, Dream Boat, the German Film crew and Nickerman Germany Film crew, were among the more popular TV and film crew that selected Sri Lanka's exotic sites. The destination's diversity coupled with accessibility and shorter travel time has further enhanced Sri Lanka's appeal as a film destination. This year, the SLTB is also working to bring in more production companies with a range of facilities to sell destination Sri Lanka as a film locality like No Other, he said. Well-known film director Rutnam says his Film Location Service has provided support and assistance for shooting around 35 foreign films in Sri Lanka. Out of this, 10 are Hollywood productions while among others were Australian, British etc. Rutnam attributes the attraction of shooting foreign films to Sri Lanka to its variety of sceneries. "Given Sri Lanka's Asian locations, jungles and easy access to those locations, film directors have an ideal place for shooting films." Among the most famous films shot in Sri Lanka are 'Bridge on the River Kwai', 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Doom' and the 'Mountain in the Jungle'. ######### The Hulk to burst through local silver screen
Directed by acclaimed film maker Ang Lee, The Hulk combines all the elements of a blockbuster visual effects-intensive superhero movie with the brooding romance and tragedy of classic horror films. The character "The Hulk" first appeared in a series of six Marvel Comics in 1962 as the creation of writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. The immense popularity of the creature also spawned a successful CBS television series (1977 - 1982) which stared Bill Bixby as scientist Banner and bodybuilder Lou Ferringo as the Hulk. In " The Hulk" - Eric Bana (Black Hawk Down, The Chopper) stars as scientist Bruce Banner whose inner demons transform him in the aftermath of a catastrophic experiment. Academy award winner Jennifer Connelly ( A Beautiful Mind) portrays Betty Ross whose scientific genius unwittingly helps unleash The Hulk. An acclaimed filmmaker, Ang Lee's most recent film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" won critical acclaim and premiered at the Cannes Film festival in 2000. It also won a Golden Globe Award and a Directors Guild Award for Best Director. Lee, born and raised in Taiwan moved to the USA in 1978 and his first feature film "Pushing Hands" was screened at the 1992 Berlin Film Festival and won the best film at the Asian-Pacific Film Festival. His next film "The Wedding Banquet" premiered at the 1993 Berlin festival and scored the festival's top prize and also achieved international acclaim. Amongst his other films were Eat Drink Man Woman, Sense and Sensibility, The Ice Storm and Ride with the Devil. The Hulk will be screened at the Majestic Cinema from August 22. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
Another latest blockbuster movie "The Hulk" will be screened
in town shortly. The film brings one of the most enduring and compelling
comic book creations to the big screen.
