New chapter in Sri Lankan cinema:

Bonds beyond borders

Ruwini Jayawardana

His life is an open blog. Or so he would have us believe. Consistently in the news for his performances or for taking part in the ‘happening’ events in town and beyond borders, actor Sanath Gunatilake believes in keeping himself updated in the new techniques and trends in the cinema industry.

This probably makes him the local artiste who has probably taken part in the most number of international film festivals of this era. Daily News ‘Projector’ catches up with him before he rides away into the sunset.

Q: You are a regular participant in international film festivals.

A: I have been taking part in international film festivals such as those held in Cairo, Manila and New Delhi from the 1980s. The most recent film festival that I took part in was the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.

I met the IFFI Director General Shanker Mohan. He is very keen on Sri Lankan cinema. He had watched some of our movies which had been screened in Indian film festivals in the past. He says that those films are rich in talent and quality.

During our discussion he questioned why we cannot host an international film festival in Colombo. He said that since we have eliminated terrorism and since everyone loves the beauty of our country, why don’t we take advantage of it and showcase Sri Lanka’s splendours to the world? He even offered to help us with the project.

Mohan has been attached to the IFFI committee for a long period and has a lot of experience in putting together international film festivals. Renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan who was the chairman of the IFFI jury praised his efforts during IFFI by saying that this year the team was able to showcase a truly professional international film festival.

Since he had has the relevant contacts and had expressed his desire to help us the ball is in our court. We need to make use of this opportunity. I hope NFC Chairman Asoka Serasinghe will follow this up. Ashley Ratnavibhushana has a lot of experience in dealing with such events so we could seek his advice on the matter. No doubt we would be able to attract some popular film-makers and celebrities to take part in the event as well as schedule their shooting in scenic locations in Sri Lanka.

Director Phillip Noyce

Director Dan Wolman

IFFI 2011 Director General Shankar Mohan

Many Europeans visited India during the film festival. Some of them decided to shoot their production there because they decided that this will open doors for their production to be screened in India.

Similarly we can approach them with the idea when they visit our country for the festival.

The Tourism Ministry, Cultural Ministry, Media Ministry and the Foreign Ministry need to work together to make this concept a reality.

Q: Do you see a good response to our films in the international arena?

A: Certainly. The audience is advanced. They go for productions if they feel that the director is honest to his work. This is the main reason behind Gamani’s success.

Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera could have used the movie as a military campaign but instead he worked on the patriotic essence through characters like the schoolteacher and the village head priest rather than a member of the force. This linked the audience with the production. The key to success is in the presentation.

Q: You have met some internationally acclaimed filmmakers and artistes abroad. How would you describe your experiences with them?

A: I met Phillip Noyce in Goa. He is the director of the 2010 American action thriller Salt which stars Angelina Jolie. A lot of female film students gathered around him to question about the movie. They were captivated by the film because it is heroine oriented. Some of them also told me that they had seen Ekamath Eka Rateka last year. They were fascinated by the girl’s character because she played such an independent role.

I spoke to Noyce and asked him about the production cost. He revealed that it had amounted up to 190 million US dollars. I gleaned a lot from the meeting because I have a similar storyline in mind for a movie. It is a true story of a girl who raised her voice against male dominance. I have my ‘Ekamath Eka Rateka’ leading lady Nirosha Perera in mind for the role but she has, as usual, presented many excuses not to undertake the project. However I am keeping my fingers crossed about her taking on the offer.

I also met Dan Wolman, a reputed filmmaker from Israel. He had also directed a movie based on one of Emile Zola’s stories called Nana.

Q: Though the audience got to know you as the blue-eyed boy, you have done some anti-hero role in a number of movies like Kela Mal, Madara Parasathu and Chakrayuda. How important is the flexibility of image for an actor?

A: Hero worship was present in the industry when I started off in films but Gamini Fonseka broke the barriers when he portrayed the anti-hero in a subtle manner in Parasathu Mal. Ravindra Randeniya followed in his footsteps and portrayed villain’s role with expertise.

When I was going to undertake a villain’s role in Kela Mal, many advised me against it however like Fonseka and Randeniya, I withstood the challenge. That is why I got offers in outstanding projects like Palama Yata and Kadapathaka Chaaya.

Q: If you did not become an actor what would you have been?

A: I did my studies wishing to become a doctor but, instead, I became a conductor in my maiden movie! I enjoy teaching so maybe I would have followed that stream.

Sometimes I am asked to deliver motivational lectures to people from all walks of life. It is interesting because I meet many different types of personalities.

Q: You are one of the few senior artistes who are constantly in contact with the younger generation. Could you predict their future according to your experience in the field?

A: There are many enthusiastic and talented youths in the field but they do not get the opportunity to showcase their talent or master the art properly. They do not stick to one field but venture onto many other areas such as compeering or singing without taking time to study the art. One cannot blame them because this may be the result of globalization and the economic crisis.

Young journalist Nuwan Nayanajith recently compiled a book, Nava Magaka Sankathana, gathering some articles which he had penned by interviewing the new generation of artistes who have made their mark in the scene. He had not included a cinema actor in his work. This raises a question mark on whether such an individual exists in cinema among the new generation of artistes.

Q: What are your upcoming films?

A: My next movie will also be based on one of Emile Zola’s stories, Shame. This has been translated into Sinhala as Vilibiya by Premaranjith Thilakaratne.

Many people questioned me on why I did my maiden film based on Zola’s story rather than script a tale of my own. The reason for this that I am fascinated the uniqueness of presentation and the universal qualities of Zola’s tales. I have undergone a similar experience of which he has scripted for Shame. We need to stamp our own identity to the tale but the incident can take place anywhere in the world.

Chaminda Perera who produced Situ Kumariyo, my maiden movie as an actor, will produce the movie.

I will also be acting in a movie made by Cletus Mendis. Jeevan Kumaratunga, Ravindra Randeniya, Dilhani Ashokamala and Kanchana Mendis comprise the cast.

Enter - second generation film artistes

Nipuni Wimalapala

The National Short Film Festival 2011 was held last week at National Film Corporation to enhance the quality of the Sri Lankan cinema industry by nurturing a second generation of artistes with skills and creativity.

This has been a long term effort which resulted in creating innovative and standard young cinema personalities who proved that they are quite capable of enhancing the national cinema scene.

“It is essential to create a second generation in every field. Otherwise any industry can decline without having new individuals to carry on its legacy,” said NFC Chairman Asoka Serasinghe.

“Many measures were taken during history to create young cinema personalities with capabilities to uplift the cinema industry. This is the best step taken so far.

“This is a golden opportunity for the youth with innate creativity to make their mark in cinema. Sri Lanka is in a rapid development process in all sectors today.

“These young artistes will be able to make use of the latest technology devices as a means of reflecting the cultural and aesthetic development of the country,” he noted.

Seasoned cinema personality Stanley Hettiarachchi said that there are only a few who can epresent life through a cinema script.

“Young blood possesses a lot of talent. They were uncut diamonds at the beginning. It is our responsibility to sharpen their skills,” he said.

Proving her outstanding capability of imaging the typical Sri Lankan woman within only 10 minutes, Chamila Ruwan Kumari won the first place of the National Short Film Festival 2011 for best direction in Katawahapan Siriyawathi.

The second place went to Susantha Gunawardene, for his portrayal of love and affection of a local family. Sudeera Nilanga Withana was awarded the third prize for The Beetle.

The audience was puzzled about the creation because they were unable to make up their mind whether the main character is a man or an insect.

The Best Edition Award was won by Randika Nadeeshan for Ahasa . The Best Camera Direction Award was won by Amila Ishantha for Mangifera or the violence is a delight. The Best Script Award went to Sudeera Nilanga Withana for The Beetle.

The Best Documentary Film Award was won by Sanjaya Wijesiri for Lalata Dhathu Wandanawa, the second place went to Sandun de Silva for Kotuwa Pitakotuwa Athara and the third place was clinched by to Geethika Kadigamuwa for Hydroponic.

Special appreciations of the jury went to Vijitha Kumara for Witharagi, Usha Aruni Priyanga for Eka Parshwika, Shameera Rangana Naotunna for Sathapum Haya, Kadiresan Karthik for Sattru Mun Varai and Sudarman de Costa for Mayim.

Somarathna Dissanayake, Sarath Dharmasiri, Stanley Hettiarachchi, Rohan Perera and Sugath Hewawitharana comprised the jury.

Pass it on when you’re done with it scores big

The short film titled, Pass it on when you’re done with it created by Leo Burnett Solutions Inc. for the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society (SLEDS) made its mark in the annals of the Sri Lankan advertising industry by winning metal at the Spikes Asia Festival, making it the country’s first Spikes win.

Continuing its winning streak, the filmlet also struck metal at the Effie Awards 2011 held recently. The Bronze award won at Spikes Asia is one of the most prestigious awards in the region that are awarded for the best in creative advertising while the Silver Effie is awarded to the most effective. The awards also reaffirm that Leo Burnett’s unmistakable understanding of the Sri Lankan ethos, the people and their behaviour is the formula to creating effective pieces of communication.

Leo Burnett Solutions Inc. Managing Director Ranil de Silva commenting on the awards won said, “The two awards won for this filmlet recognize it not only for its creativity but also for its effectiveness. This is a unique combination and once again demonstrates not just the success of connecting the power of human emotion and communication, but also the unmistakable sense of attracting a call for action. The overwhelming response proves that a compelling story can always cut through all barriers and nudge people into action!”

Written, filmed and produced entirely for the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society, the film captures the emotional sense of yearning that is eternally prevalent in the minds of those of us who cannot see and the feeling of helplessness faced by those of us who believe we are powerless to help them.

Produced to revive the act of donating ones’ eyes, this filmlet was conceptualized by Subhash Pinnapola and also directed by him.

He said that his first deed after getting the brief was to sign-up to donate his eyes. His deed was followed by his entire team and many members from the agency team and the production crew as well.