PROJECTOR
Going back in history
Restoring the Vijaya-Kuveni kinship Ruwini
Jayawardana :
Crew
Script and direction: Suganth
Samarakoon
Production: Gayan Ranadeera
Cinematographer: Ayeshmantha Hettiarachchi
Assistant director: Udeni Alwis
Art direction: Dinesh Jayashantha
Music: Nadeeka Guruge
Make up: Vasantha Vitachchi
Fight direction: Aantha Mahantharachchi
Stage setting: Tharanga Priyadarshana
Costumes: Priyan Arunasith
Editor: Praveen Jayaratne
Documentation: Ranjith Senaratne
Coordination: Wickramasiri Jayawickrama, Priyantha Kahapalarachchi and
Sanjaya Samarakoon
Documentary cinematographer: Gamini Fernando
In the past couple of months the local movie scene took a new twist.
Several renowned directors engaged in massive projects which will go
down history. These movies are based on chapters from history which
explores our roots and project Sri Lanka's rich cultural traditions to
the world.
Two children in costumes that are designed for Kuveni
Pictures by Tennyson Edirisinghe |
The Kuveni team |
Well known playwright and actor Sugath Samarakoon is the latest
artiste to take to the task but his is a seven year old plan which
finally took off on October 21. His production is based on the historic
tale of the meeting between Vijaya and Kuveni. "I have been writing and
rewriting the script for many years. It is aimed at presenting the
injustice done to Kuveni.
She was branded a traitor because she helped Vijaya capture the
island. However it was Vijaya who betrayed her in the end because his
friends and advisors requested him to bring an Aryan princess to bear
fair skinned children as future heirs to the throne," the director
expressed his views about this creation.
Kuveni's name denotes that she is a tan skinned woman. She was from
the Yakka tribe. Sri Lankan history comprised four tribes according to
their religious practices. They are the Yakka, Naga, Raksha and Deva
communities.
"Though we think they lived an uncivilized lifestyle the truth is
that their lifestyle is very developed. They made weapons and engaged in
industrial work such as repairing ships and making accessories out of
precious stones. We can take pride in our own history," Samarakoon
noted.
Samarakoon is known for his controversy ridden plays like Uthure
Rahula Himi and Commando Diyasena in the 1980s. Beginning his creative
journey with the play Amalbiso, which was produced in 1976, he ventured
on to play a role in Adhisthanaya in 1982 for which he won OCIC award.
His contribution to Viyaru Minisa in 1992 won him a Sarasavi award. He
said Kuveni will be made in three stages. The first was launched at the
NFC in October while the second stage will be in January. The third
chapter will begin in May, 2011. Gayan Ranadeera will produce the movie
on behalf of Rupun Film Productions.
Dulani Anuradha |
"The truth is buried in history. We have veiled our past due to
foreign influence. History is distorted for their benefit. They have
projected these people as Barbarians. We think our roots began with the
Aryans' arrival to Sri Lanka. This is incorrect. Archeological evidence
reveals facts about a developed civilization many years before Vijaya
and group set foot in the island," he explained adding that he had
worked with historian professor Mendis Rohanadeera in getting his facts
right. "I have written it without distorting history yet making it into
a fine narrative," Samarakoon stressed
Dulani Anuradha will portray Kuveni's character while Roger
Seneviratne will be Vijaya. The cast comprises nearly 100 experienced
actors and 600 debutees. Around 120 students from Samarakoon's New Stars
Academy will also take part.
Sriyantha Mendis, Buddhadasa Vithanachchi, Cletus Mendis, Anura
Dharmasiriwardena, Sandun Vijesiri, Nalin Pradeep Uduwela, Vasanthi
Ranwala, Gamini Jayalath, Gamini Hettiarachchi, Senaka Vijesinghe,
Minister Mervin Silva, Lal Weerasinghe, Tilak Kumara Ratnayake, Sumith
Muddannayake, Indrajith Navinna, Susil Perera, Tyron Michael, Ajantha
Mahantarachchi, Wilson Karunaratne, Milinda Perera, Sarath Dikkumbura,
Teddy Vidyalankara, U Dayawansa, Gamini Samarakoon and others will be
part of the cast.
European Film Festival to storm Colombo
The audience will be able to get a
peek into the lifestyles and traditions of the European countries
through celluloid. The films reflect the diversities of the countries
and their rich culture:
Scenes of movies which will be showcased at European Film
Festival 2010 |
Western film buffs will be in for a treat when the European Film
Festival raises curtains in November. The festival which showcases 29
films from nine countries will screen movies for free at the Namel
Malini Punch Theatre, Colombo British Council and Goethe Institut from
November 5 to 14.
Organized by the European Union, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sri Lanka, Switzerland and UK the specialty
about this year's event is that the group will be taking a miniature
version of the festival to areas away from Colombo. Some films will be
screening at the National Maritime Museum Hall in Galle, E L Senanayake
Library Hall in Kandy and Centre for Performing Arts Theatre Complex in
Jaffna.
The European Film Festival will be held for the third time in the
country and will be inaugurated on November 4 at the National Film
Corporation cinema hall with Stephen Poliakoff's Glorious 39.
Romola Garai in Glorious 39 |
This screening is for invitees only but the movie will be screened
again at the same venue on November 14, the closing day of the film
festival. Movie enthusiasts who have collected entry passes from the
British Council, Goethe Institut and Alliance Francasie de Kotte offices
will be able to watch the movie.
Films with adult only ratings
|
* Happy
together
* Soul Kitchen
* Im Winter ein Jhar
* Vier Minuten
*Generazione Mille Euro
* Ma Che Ci Faccio Qui
* Marias Menn
* Mannen som elsket Yngve * Kicks |
Films more suitable for adults
|
* Jean de la
Fontaine, le defi
* La tete de maman
* Upperdog
* Der Freund |
Speaking at the media conference which was held to relate details of
the festival the key figures behind the event said that the audience can
get an insight to the movies by viewing the details and trailers on the
festival's website. The movies will be screening at 4 pm and 7 pm in
Colombo while those outstation will be screening at 1 pm and 3 pm.
EU Economic and Trade Advisor in Sri Lanka Roshan Lyman noted that
the locals will get an opportunity to witness the rich culture and
artistic values of the foreign nations.
"The movies embody the true spirit of European cinema. They highlight
the fact that the countries are united in diversity. These are
contemporary films which have been selected and especially brought for
the festival," he said.
RJ
Challenges goes on web
Shesadri, Pubudu and Roshan |
Udayankantha Warnasuriya's latest movie Challenges is now on the web
as www.challengesmovie.com
The movie stars Roshan Ranawana, Pubudu Chathuranga and Sheshadri
Priyasad in lead roles backed by Lucky Dias, Sangeetha Weeraratne,
Vasanthi Chathurani, Sarath Chandrasiri and others. Challenges is a
Sunflower Films production which is edited by Pravin Jayaratne. Manjula
Ayagama is the art director. Jayantha Gunawardena is the cinematographer
and Donald Jayantha is the assistant director. Challenges will begin
unspooling at EAP theatres next year.
Stroll up Wall Street
A scene from Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps |
Michael Douglas and Shia LaBeouf |
In the original Wall Street, Michael Douglas played the master of the
financial world, able to buy companies and sell them off without a
second thought. The first movie ends with Charlie Sheen's character
wearing a wire and essentially turning on the man that made him rich.
"Greed is good," Gordon Gekko had famously declared in the original
film.
Now, Oliver Stone returns as the director, and Michael Douglas
reprises his role as Gordon Gekko. If there was ever a time to revamp he
original it is now. In the updated sequel, Gordon Gekko is out of prison
and is not sure what to do with himself. He is no longer the powerhouse
that he once was. The new blood on Wall Street is represented by Jake
Moore, who is played by Shia LaBeouf, who is dating the daughter of
Gordon Gekko.
The movie suffers because it is less about Wall Street, and is more
about Gekko's attempts to reconnect with his daughter and Moore's
attempts to make the reconciliation happen for his own purposes.
LaBeouf does a great job with the part. For the first time in his
career he looks like a grown up playing an adult part instead of a child
playing an adult role of vice versa. The film never decides what it
wants to do with Gordon Gekko's character. He never seems sure about
whether he wants to get back into Wall Street or reconnect with his
daughter to become a family man, and ultimately the film suffers because
of that. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is screening at Liberty cinema.
Master's last film music composition
Sanath with Master Khemadasa while composing music for Ekamath Eka Rateka
|
The second death anniversary of maestro Premasiri Khemadasa fell on
October 24. The talented music composer had breathed life into many
artistic productions on stage and screen. He made his mark by developing
a unique style of music.
His compositions which combine Sinhala folk tunes, Hindustani
classical music, western styles and many other streams of global music
adorned many artistic productions. He debuted as a film music composer
with Sirisena Wimalaweera's Roddie Kella while his last film music
direction was for Sanath Gunatilake's maiden movie direction Ekamath Eka
Rateka. Gunatilake together with Khemadasa had recorded the haunting
flute music which captures the heroine of the movie before the shooting
sessions.
"The background music gave a special meaning to the characters.
Though he was not well, he did his bit with great enthusiasm. His advice
and contribution was a great encouragement to me. My only regret is that
he was not able to be with us to see the final product," Gunatilake
revealed his thoughts to Daily News 'Projector'. Armed with experience
and unparalleled knowledge in music he was able to locate the heartbeat
of local music styles and adapt them to fit the contemporary context.
Movie buffs still sigh over the tunes he had pieces together for
exceptional creations like Nidhanaya, Golu Hadawatha, Narilatha, Bambaru
Evith and Agnidahaya. His untimely death had left a great vacuum in the
country's music scene for there will never be another to match his
expertise. May his tunes live on and enthrall us for many more years.
RJ
Ira Handa Yata seminar
A scene from Ira Handa Yata |
A seminar has been organized by the Suharda Sanhinda Kala Vimansa
society to discuss Bennett Ratnayake's award winning cinematic venture
Ira Handa Yata. The event will take place at the Mahaweli Centre,
Colombo 7, on November 3 at 3 pm.
Prof Carlo Fonseka, Dr Tuder Weerasinghe, Edwin Ariyadasa, Somaweera
Senanayake, President's Counsel Viyadasa Rajapaksa, Parakrama
Kodithuwakku and Ajith Galappati will speak. Sathischandra Edirisinghe
will chair the event. The topic of discussion will be on the most
appropriate way to grade a cinematic creation. A book comprising the
movie script and reviews will also be launched. Entrance free.
RJ |