Endlessly, IN UNCLE SAM'S LAND

Channa Bandara Wijekoon

Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), the national TV channel, has been benchmarking with global standards from the inception to bring noteworthy programs to its viewers. Going global while maintaining the identity of the nation has been the core-competency of the SLRC.

SLRC has embarked on a gigantic production for the forthcoming season, collaborating with the Asian Film and Drama Foundation, USA. Named as 'Nonimi Charika' (Endless Journey), the 100-episode TV program is aimed at providing a refreshing experience for the local TV audience. In a bid to do so, the production crews involved will boldly go places where no local TV channel has gone before.

'Nonimi Charika' will be the first ever semi-docu tele series made by a Sri Lankan TV channel. It is inspired by the 'Traveler TV series' telecast in the USA in the new millennium. The docu-tele series will be based on a fictional tale where a young Sri Lankan couple explores scenic locations in the US.

The seasoned tele-drama and film director Dayaratne Ratagedera will handle the direction of Nonimi Charika.

Cultural bondage

This docu-tele series is also aimed at strengthening the relationship and perceptiveness between the two countries and cultures while leaving no room for alienation.

Sri Lanka has had a huge fanfare for Hollywood and Latin-American films for many decades. Hollywood actors such as Yul Brynner, Charlton Heston, Johnnie Weissmuller, Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson, Christopher Lee and the like and Hollywood films such as The ten commandments, Ben-Hur, Tarzan, Dracula, The dirty dozen, Fist full of dollars, Dirty Harry, Rambo and Rocky to name a few will linger in the minds of Sri Lankans forever.

American President Ronald Reagan was a role model for some local actors who ventured into politics. The American accent being adapted by many individuals involved in the local show-business is gaining its momentum.

Nuwan is a renowned photo-journalist of Sri Lanka. He is reluctantly compelled to fly to America leaving his girlfriend Savithri behind, to work on a docu-tele series.

Nadira the alluring damsel becomes Nuwan's guide in America on his venture towards producing the tele-series. Nadira is to be given in marriage to James soon.

However, Nuwan and Nadira develop a special bond while working together. In one nippy night, they get lost in a dense jungle while on the job.

They spend a sleepless night under the canopy of a huge tree with nothing much to eat. The freezing coldness obliges Nuwan to provide coziness to Nadira.

The story unfolds in this manner and develops towards an interesting end.

Nature of the program

Though this program will take the form of a tele-drama, it is more a documentary which educates the viewer of different locations and states in America.

America comprises of 50 states with diverse geographical, cultural, traditional, national, religious, scientific and natural features. The semi docu tele series involves a thorough research in regard to unique aspects of these locations while relating to a fictional tale of the individuals.

Thus the characters will travel through reputed cities like; New York, Chicago, Washington DC., Hawaiian Islands, Canadian borders, Mexican borders, Philadelphia, North Carolina and many other places. Further, they will explore places like; Universal Studios, Disneyland, San Diego Sea World, Hollywood, Santa Monica Pier, Big Bear Mountains, Ghost Town and Catalina Island, San Francisco Golden Gate Brisge and Arizona Grand Canyon.

Around 80 percent of the shooting will be done in USA while 20 percent of the shooting is to be done locally.

Blessings and expertise

With the blessings of the Chairman of the SLRC Mohan Samaranayake and the chief executive officer Gamini Rasaputhra, the program is to get off the grounds shortly.

The director of 'Nonimi Charika' Dayaratne Ratagedera who is the programs director of SLRC at present, has contributed as the assistant director for films made by the topmost film directors of Sri Lanka namely; Dr Lester Peiris, Sumithra Peiris, Dr Tissa Abeysekera and Prof Sunil Ariyaratne before joining SLRC in 1983.

The tele-drama 'Bogala Savundiris' directed by Ratagedera for SLRC was well received by the audience and the scholars and brought him state awards. He directed his first feature-film while working in SLRC. Ratagedera has had a stint as the director in the government film unit too. He has to his credit many documentaries done on the President of Sri Lanka directed by him.

A cast comprising of leading and internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan actors; Ravindra Randeniya and Malani Fonseka along with Channa Perera, Palitha Silva, Ajith Jinadasa, Sunethra Sarachchandra, Senali Fonseka and many more will contribute towards the project.

The concept is by Piyum Warnapurage. Kapila Kumara Kalinga, Badrajee Mahinda Jayatileke and Shirley Asantha de Alwis have handled the script. Deepal Gunaratne and Shirley Asantha de Alwis are the production executives. Art direction is by Athula Sulthanagoda. Imal Shanaka will be the makeup artist.

The veteran cinematographer Donald Karunaratne will handle the camera of 'Nonimi Charika' with the support of Pushpakumara Rajaguru.

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