A portrayal of hopes and dreams of children :

Somarathne to soar with Samanala Thatu

ACCLAIMED director Somarathne Dissanayake has completed his latest cinematic creation in the line of his previous films, focusing on the world of children.

This fourth film by Somarathne titled Samanala Thatu (Butterfly Wings) is woven around a street boy who pursues a childish dream of owning a bicycle. His parents are street singers who earn a daily living with apparently no hope for the future, but this child has a hope and a dream for a bicycle of his own.

In his previous films too, Somarathne has focused on the children's world and the impact caused by adults on children.

"Like in my other films, I have attempted this time too to portray how the child is exposed to corruption and other injustices of the adult world and the suffering he has to endure as a result," Somarathne told an interview with the Stage & Screen.

The film depicts how the child faces harassment and suffering in his efforts to raise a 'quick buck'. He is subjected to child labour and other kinds of harassment and abuse. He escapes from these very difficult situations and is able to raise a sufficient amount of money, but he has to spend them for his father's medical expenses.

"Childhood dreams are common to every child whether he is born in a palace or a slum," says Somarathne referring to the principal theme of his film.

He explains that children's dreams are shattered due to the exploitation of the elders.

In his cinematic voyage, Somarathne has always used the children's world to portray the elders world. "I prefer to see the elders' world through children and to discuss the problems of the elders' world through children."

His previous films Saroja, Punchi Suranganawi and Sooriya Arana also shed light on the children's world and achieved international acclaim and awards.

Somarathne was satisfied about his latest cinematic creation and he sees children as a base to focus on the issues of elders' world. "Children do not have any divisions, they have only humanity and they are not corrupt."

The film was shot in Kandy and Colombo suburbs. Dasun Madhusanka who played the role of the Buddhist monk in Somarathne's previous film Sooriya Arana plays the role of the street child.

The rest of the cast comprises Suminda Sirisena, Duleeka Marapana, Dulanjalie Ariyathilake, Jayalath Manoratne, Chandra Kaluarachchi, Giriraj Kaushalya, Wijaya Nandasiri, Jagath Beneragama and Anton Jude.

Music is by Rohana Weerasinghe while the Assistant Director is Daminda Madawala.

The film's script is by Somarathne himself while the producer is his wife Renuka Balasooriya.

"We always spend the money gained from the previous film for our next creation and this was done using the money earned from the last film," says Somarathne, explaining how they raise money to do films.

However, even before the local screening Samanala Thatu has achieved initial success, having received invitations to participate in a number of international film festivals.

"Already, the film has been selected for the Montreal Film festival in Canada, Iranian Film Festival and several others which are yet to be confirmed," Somarathne says with a note of triumph.

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Warna: An analysis of the social spectrum

WARNA, a teledrama with a novel and musical structure will be telecast over the National Rupavahini.

Directed by emerging young director Gaya Ramya Alwis, 'Warna' is woven around a young dramatist, a female medical student, politician and a woman who associate with high class men. Alwis was confident that the teledrama will be a novel experience to the local viewers as it has a musical cum drama format.

The drama focuses on the rapidly deteriorating social values in society. "I attempted to portray this reality of social deterioration which we are experiencing in our day to day life." Alwis says it is up to the audience to decide on the teledrama. "I believe that this would appeal to the audience."

Roshan Ravindra plays the role of Wageesha (young dramatist) while his girl friend - Nirmala (Pavithra Dayananda) portrays the medical student.

The plot of Wageesha's latest stage play is the life of a civil official who is assassinated by the politician (played by Jayalath Manoratne) who wants to stop this play being staged. Nirmala's father who is a wealthy planter opposes her love affair with Wageesha.

The story takes a dramatic turn when the body of Tekla (Anjula Rajapakse) who associates with high class men is found in Wageesha's house and he is arrested.

Will Wageesha be released? What will happen to them? You can find out for yourself in the coming weeks. The rest of the cast includes Tony Ranasinghe, Grace Ariyawimal, Athula Pathirana, Sarath Kothalawela and Prashani Perera.