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Sri Lanka's legendary film genius celebrates birthday
on Saturday:
Lester, filmmaker beyond compare
Ruwini Jayawardana
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The doyen of Sri Lankan cinema, Dr. Lester James Peries
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Globally renowned and prolific filmmaker, Dr. Lester James Peries,
will turn 89 on April 5. The celebrated movie director who had done
yeoman service to the industry is undisputedly the biggest brand name
amidst the country's filmmakers.
With a career spanning more than 50 years he had gifted the industry
with so many memorable creations that he had been termed the doyen of
Sri Lankan cinema.
Lester was born on April 5, 1919, to a family of four children. His
parents were Dr. James Francis Peries and Ann Gertrude Winifred
Jayasuriya. He was an old boy of St. Peter's College, Colombo. Though
his parents wished him to enter priesthood the youth's passion for
theatre and films carved his destiny.
He started his career as a journalist at the Daily News and joined
the Times of Ceylon working under Frank Moraes in 1939. In 1947 Lester
travelled to England to join his brother, Ivan, who was there on an art
scholarship.
During these six years abroad his interest in films developed. He was
committed to his passion. Having joined the Government Film Unit of
Ceylon as an assistant director, he worked under the distinguished
English documentary filmmaker Ralph Keene.
He made a number of documentaries like 'Heritage of Lanka' and 'Nelungama'.
He also directed 'Conquest in the Dry Zone', a documentary based on
controlling malaria and 'Be safe or be sorry', a witty study on errant
motorists.
Lester's talent was not to be wasted on documentaries and he soon
grew bored with the subject. He was a person who recognised the pulse of
the public and strived to make his own mark in a society that was used
to viewing films with some Indian influence.
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Gamini Fonseka and Malini Fonseka in Nidhanaya |
His first feature film, Rekhawa (Line of Destiny), was released in
1956 and it marked a watershed in Sri Lankan cinema.
He released his second film Sandeshaya (The Message) in 1960. His
third creation Gamperaliya in 1964 was instantly recognised as a
superior work of cinematic art and won the Grand Prix (Golden Peacock)
at the International Film Festival of India in New Delhi.
He married Sumitra Gunewardena on June 19, 1964. Just like her
husband, Sumitra shares his passion for art and is now an established
film director with her own unique style in making movies.
Some of Lester's outstanding creations are Delovak Athara (Between
Two Worlds), Golu Hadawatha (Cold Heart), Akkara Paha (Five Acres of
land), Nidhanaya (The Treasure), The God King, Madol Doowa (Enchanted
Island), Beddegama (Village in the jungle) Kaliugaya (The Time of Kali),
Yuganthaya (The Changing Village), Avaragira (The Sunset), Wekanda
Walauwa (The mansion by the lake) and many more. His last film was
Ammavarune (An Elegy for a Mother) which unspooled last year.
Lester had introduced many artistes who went on to make big names in
the industry. He worked with cinematographer Willie Blake and film
editor Titus Totawatte in Rekhawa. Veteran actor Iranganie Serasinghe
acted in one of his documentaries, Parissam Venna Nethnam Kanagatu Venna
(Be safe or be sorry) before taking up a role in Rekhawa.
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Henry Jayasena and Punya Heendeniya in Gamperaliya |
Film legend Gamini Fonseka joined the Rekhawa team as a technician
and later went on to take the second lead in Sandeshaya. K.A.W. Perera,
the renowned filmmaker composed the dialogues for the film while Rev.
Fr. Marcelline Jayakody penned the lyrics.
Well known musician Sunil Shantha set the melodies and Indrani
Wijebandara and Ivor Dennis contributed as playback singers to Rekhawa.
Lester also worked with many well loved artistes of the golden era like
Jeevarani Kukurulasuriya in Sandeshaya and Tony Ranasinghe, Anula
Karunathilaka, Trilicia Gunawardena, Wickrama Bogoda and G.W. Surendra
in Gamperaliya. Veteran journalist and film critic Regi Siriwardena
wrote the screenplay of Gamperaliya and renowned media personality Tissa
Abeysekara was the additional screenplay writer for the film.
The key behind Lester's creations is his loyalty and dedication to
his work. The essence of his creations are often derived from local
families in rural settings. His journey to the top was difficult but his
unwavering confidence succeeded in bringing the Sri Lankan cinema to the
main cultural stream.
The veteran director officially announced his retirement a few months
ago amidst the tragic death of his most distinguished work, Nidhanaya,
which is rated as one of the best 10 movies in Asia or even world
cinema. |
