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Film Review:
Vala Patala (The Penumbra) - a context sensitive film
Vijitha Gunaratne’s maiden cinematic creation, Vala Patala (The
Penumbra) is a context sensitive film that cleverly and sensitively
represents the power of the brutal socio-economic political forces that
operate even in a poor rural setting.
A teacher and a five-star doctor making attempts to uplift the health
educational level of the poor folk is being perceived by the brutal
political forces as a part of a power struggle by the so called ‘Mamber’
Jayasundra and the Mudalali.
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A scene from the film Vala Patala |
They mislead the poor villager Amarasena to trap Dr. Manoharan who
sincerely attempts to save Sumana’s (Amarasena’s wife) child making use
of his technical expertise making use of the limited resources by
operating on the child’s abscess (boil).
But the ‘Mamber’ and his company interpret the situation in another
way saying that the doctor is trying to kill the child by operating on
it which should be performed in the operation theatre of a major
hospital.
Amarasena is forced to make a complaint to the police. Ultimately the
child is transferred to the major hospital and he dies there. The doctor
is suspended from work.
The end outcome was craftly planned and executed by the ‘Mamber’ and
his followers. They are behind the scenes. Amarasena is being used as a
cat’s paw.
Vijitha Gunaratne has identified an excellent cast for his film.
Gamini Hattotovegama plays the role of the five star doctor. His
performance is a jewel of a performance. Jayalath Manoratne’s role as
the ‘Mamber’ is superb.
His gestures and intonation are well marked. Palitha Silva as the
Mudalali provides side support to the ‘Mamber’. Jayani Senanayake as
Sumana shows her innate talents in Vala Patala while Deepani Silva and
Saumya Kodagoda play their respective roles well.
Vijitha has made use of his experiences on the stage and the film
proceeds as an epic drama.
The location is very much restricted and the overt oral discourses of
the characters are limited.
For the audience used to song, dance and fights Vala Patala would
find boring. But for the few interested in noting a progress in the
Sinhala cinema both in content and technology, the Penumbra would be a
welcome shower.
Dr. Delgoda appears to be a suspicious character. Saumya Liyanage
plays his role as a go-in-between the brutal political forces and the
medical services. Automatically he becomes the chief doctor when Dr.
Manoharan is suspended from work.
Vijitha has excluded sense and emotion provoking scenes from the
film. But that does not hinder the audience from grasp the social
meaning of the film and understanding of the intrinsic organic entity
and coherence of this creation.
- Dr. Senarath Tennakoon |
