PROJECTOR

‘Naughtiest girl’ dons a new look:

Young minds turn a new leaf

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

[Crew]

* Director: Nalin Rajapaksa

* Producers: Sachini Ayendra and Ishanga Mahipala

* Story: Vidurangi Apeksha Sandara

* Camera: Nimal Rosa

* Script and assistant director: Sunil Premaratne

* Second assistant director: Shervon Fernando

* Art directors: Alexi Fernando and Dammika Priyantha

* Make up: Henri Premaratne

* Music: Wijesundara Weragoda

* Lyrics: Nandana Weerasinghe

*Choreography: Janani Weragoda

* Vocals: Uresha Ravihari, Punsara Vagasenevi and Roger Seneviratne

* Production manager: Raja Balasooriya

* Camera equipment: Dil Films

She is an angel at first sight but a terror beneath the pretty school girl charm. Like many children led astray she too needs guidance and love to find her way in life. After many attempts to find happiness in the city, she is banished to the village. There she meets some new friends and sorrow turns to bliss.

This is the basic essence which makes up the story in Nalin Rajapaksa’s debut movie Angara Dangara. A children’s film which sets a positive message regarding the children-parental relationship, Angara Dangara is the newest movie which will begin screening at Regal cinema, Colombo, and other CEL circuit cinemas from April 1.

“It is true that this falls under the children’s movie category. We started filming around one and a half years ago. There weren’t many children’s movies those days though a few joined the list recently. Most of the films which have been referred to as children’s films had more focus on adult characters than the children. They do not address the relevant party,” director Rajapaksa noted.

He said that the movie sends a positive message to children about relationships. It not only focuses on the relationship between children and parents but also links children with their surroundings. Gangani, the protagonist of the tale, follows the upcoming trends and lifestyle in the city. She is always looking to have her way both at home and school. Provoked, she would burst into fits of rage or take revenge by plotting with her friends.

Her notorious nature singles her out as a trouble-maker. Her parents are regulars at the principal’s office and are given constant warnings that they will expel her.

Having had enough of city life, Gangani’s mother gets a transfer to her village. Gangani is enraged. She absolutely refuses to leave the city for the village. Her parents are forced to leave her at the school hostel. Life at hostel does not agree with Gangani. She misses the pampering and luxuries at home and comes under the strict supervision of the matron. However chaos is not far away and soon her parents are called again and asked to take her away with them.

Stuck in the village she wonders how she would survive with most of daily entertainment far out of reach. However she gradually realizes the ‘magic’ behind the untarnished beauty of the village.

“This is a good method for children to understand parents and parents to come to terms with children’s needs. Parents will realize that it is beneficial to let their children see this film as there is a timely message involved. The story is based on Kelambuna Diya, a novel penned by Vidurangi Apeksha Sandara. She too is a girl around the same age category as the main character of the story.

We added a few scenes and constructed the story so that it would suit a film,” Rajapaksa explained.

Shanudri Priyasad portrays the lead role of Gangani in the movie. She is the youngest daughter of filmmaker Dinesh Priyasad. Moviegoes might be able to recall that her sister Sheshadri also made her debut on screen recently with Udayakantha Warnasuriya’s Challenges. The eldest daughter of the house, Dinakshi, is also into acting and had portrayed a couple of memorable roles in teledramas.

“I searched high and low for a girl to play the lead. I visited many schools and they were all eager to help me. However it was not till Dinesh showed me some photos of Shanudri that I found a suitable child. I called her for a screen test and she fitted the role like a glove.

Though I have known her for many years it did not strike me to choose her for the role till the last minute,” he added.

Rajapaksa entered the industry by making short films.

He had even won an award for a short film titled Ima Kothanada at a short film competition organized by Ridmanjali Academy under the theme ‘Mathin Thora Mihitalaya’ (A earth without drugs). He had learnt the art through self studies and by observing the techniques used at Japan’s Universal studios.

“I have also seen Sudath Rohana at work. I observed some of the features he sued to make Katu Imbula and Soora Saradiyel,” he said.

The film is produced by popular actress Sachini Ayendra and Ishanga Mahipala on behalf of Moon Light Films. Speaking about how he got Sachini involved in the project Rajapaksa said that he is a friend of her husband.

The rest of the cast includes Sanath Gunatilaka, Roger Seneviratne, Kumara Thirimadura, Nadeeka Gunasekara, Susila Kottage, Sachini Ayendra, Nilmini Kottegoda, Jeewani Perera, Nilangani Perera, Pryanthi Perera, Alexi Fernando, Sunil Premaratne and Ranjith Ruban.

Angara Dangara was shot in Ibbagamuwa, Bathelagoda and Kurunegala.

Bonjour cinema 2011 in town

R S Godage

Film lineup

Adult films (at 4.30 pm and 7 pm)

* March 30 (7 pm) and April 2 (4.30 pm)- Les Petites Couleurs/ A Little Colour - Patricia Plattner - 2002 (Switzerland)

* March 31 (4.30 pm) and April 2 (7 pm) - L’enfant / The child - Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne - 2005 - (Belgium)

* March 31 (7 pm) - L’heure zéro/ Towards Zero - Pascal Thomas - 2007 (France)

* April 1 (4.30 pm) - La promesse / The promise - Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne - 1996 (Belgium)

* April 1 (7 pm) - Déchainées - Raymond Vouillamoz- 2009 (Switzerland)

* April 3 (4.30 pm) - Opération Casablanca/ Operation Casablanca - Laurent Nègre- 2010 (Switzerland)

* April 3 (7 pm) - Joueuse/Queen to play - Caroline Bottaro - 2009 (France)

Children’s films (at 2.30 pm)

*March 30, April 1 and 3 - Les enfants de Timpelbach/ The Children of Timpelbach Nicolas Bary - 2008 (France)

* March 31 and April 2 - Microcosmos - Claude Nuridsany, Marie Pérennou- 1996 (Switzerland)

The Alliance Française de Kotte, with the support of the Consulate of Belgium, Swiss and French Embassies in Colombo, will present the sixth edition of Bonjour Cinema!, the annual francophone film festival in Colombo and Sri Lanka. Nine films will be offered by these three countries that use French as a common language.

Bonjour Cinema 2011 will be held from March 30 to April 3 at the Punchi Theatre with daily screenings at 2.30 pm for children, 4.30 pm (except on March 30) and 7 pm for adults. Les Petites Couleurs screened on March 30 at 7 pm is only for invitees. All the films are subtitled in English. Entrance is free.

These films will also be screened at Alliance françaises in Kandy, Matara and Jaffna. All the films represent the social and moral concerns of contemporary directors as well as the diversity and the creativity of the French speaking countries in the field of movie-making. In addition to the film festival, the celebration of “Francophonie” includes a French Language contest - for students and French teachers.

The prize includes two stays in Paris (all expenses included).

They have organized two live shows from the French singer Céline Caussimon on April 4 at 3pm for children only and a 6.30 pm concert of live French songs, open to all.

These cultural events will allow the Sri Lankan public to understand the francophone culture that draws its richness from its diversity, the French language being spoken and shared by more than 200 million people around the world!

Mr Dana Rina returns

Mr Dana Rina Roy de Silva’s 2007 movie was a great success on release. Many flocked to cinemas to witness the hilarious family movie which was produced by NFC.

After nearly three years the film will once again be screened at Chitra cinema, Kalutara from March 28. It is also unspooling at Ransara, Naiwala, and Mihira, Mihirigama.

The cast comprises Sangeetha Weeraratne, Anusha Damayanthi, Arjun Kamalanath, Rajitha Hiran (Ping Pong), Priyantha Seneviratne, Anarkalli Aakarsha, Roshan Pilapitiya, Sunil Hettiarachchi and others.

Ratnam unveils Rahman’s biography

Music maestro AR Rahman’s first authorized conversational biography A R Rahman: The Spirit Of Music is all set be released on April 6.

The book launch will be attended by some well-known celebrities and will have renowned film maker and producer Mani Ratnam doing the honours. The book, published by Om Books International, has been written by renowned film historian, Nasreen Munni Kabir, who has also made over 80 documentaries on Indian cinema for Channel 4 TV, U K. In this book, she provides rare insights into Rahman’s private life and his music. There are photographs from his personal archives as well as a gratis CD of music composed by him. Indiaglitz.com





 

Stalberg to ‘spank’ Shakespeare

John Stalberg Jr is set to direct Paramount Pictures’ Spanking Shakespeare. Stalberg will also rewrite the script penned by Dan Lagana that he adapted from the book by Jake Wizner.

The film follows the unfortunately named Shakespeare Shapiro, who turns his high school upside-down when he unwittingly becomes an Internet sensation and the face of an anti-college revolution. Mark Canton and Ellen Goldsmith-Vein are producing through Canton’s Atmosphere Entertainment and Vein’s Gotham Group.

Stalberg is best known for directing High School with Adrien Brody and Michael Chiklis. Variety

Beneath the Moon and Stars till March 31

Those who missed out on seeing Bennett Ratnayake’s award winning cinematic venture Ira Handa Yata on the wide screen will get another chance to catch the action as the movie is screening at Colombo Regal cinema till March 31.

The cast includes Saumya Liyanage, Udara Ratnayake, Kaushalya Fernando, Chandani Seneviratne, Suvinitha Weerasinghe, Mahendra Perera, Palitha Silva, Veena Jayakody, Damitha Abeyratne, Jagath Beneragama, Bimal Jayakody and many others. Indian actress Tasha Dharshani made her debut to Sri Lankan cinema in the movie.

The story revolves around a soldier’s attempt to fulfill the dying wishes of his comrade. He discovers the hidden humanity within the other man as fragments of his history unfold.

Golmaal 4 on hold

Fans of Golmaal series would now have to wait for a while before they get to see the next in the series. Rohit Shetty is taking a break from churning out another ‘Golmaal’ and would be beginning work on it only in 2013.

“That’s a conscious call which has been taken by Rohit here,” says a friend of the director who is enjoying an enviable success rate with multiple successful films against his name, “He wants a considerable gap to come this time around so that people wait for it in anticipation of yet another laugh riot in the offing.”

This would be the first time when there would be a gap of at least three years between two Golmaal films. Indiaglitz.com
 

ID for cinema artistes

The National Film Corporation will issue an identity card for cinema actors and actresses. Artistes are requested to obtain applications for the identity card from Acting Deputy General Manager (Professional, National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka, 303, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.