Projector
Udaya meets the challenge
Ruwini Jayawardana
The ‘Challengers’ team |
Renowned filmmaker Udayakantha Warnasuirya is on the verge of making
yet another significant movie. Titled ‘Challengers’ the movie will star
Roshan Ranawana and
Pubudu, Roshan and Sheshadri |
Pubudu Chathuranga in lead roles along with new entrant Sheshadri.
‘Challengers’ mark the first time that seasoned actor Lucky Dias will
take on a role in one of Udayakantha’s creations. Experienced actresses
Sangeetha Weerasinghe and Vasanthi Chathurani will also contribute to
the film. In addition to these artistes Dharshani Thivanka, Sarath
Chandrasiri, Malintha Wijewardena, Heshan Manula, Arenaga Jeevantha and
others will also be a part of the cast. Udayakantha will continue this
trend of introducing more new faces to cinema with ‘Challengers’.
‘Challengers’ is Udayakantha’s 16th movie and will be shot in
Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Colombo and Nilaveli. The Cinemascope and DTS
creation reflects how youths face hurdles and work towards overcoming
them in life.
Media Information Ministry Secretary W.B. Ganegala was the chief
guest at the muhurath ceremony which was held at the National Film
Corporation recently. NFC chairman Jayantha Dharmadasa was also present
at the event.
Director
Udayakantha Warnasuriya
Pictures by Saman Sri Wedage |
The movie will be yet another product combined by director
Udayakantha and assistant director Donald Jayantha. Jayanath Gunawardena
will handle the camera while Pravbeen Jayaratne will be the editor of
the project.
Sunflower Films will produce the movie which includes the story and
script penned by the director. Indika Udara Lanka is in charge of the
hairstyles and make up. Manjula Ayagama is the art director and Asoka
ariyaratne is the production manager. Shan Perera will choreograph a
number of dance scenes in the film which includes songs penned by Sunil
Wimalaweera, Nilar N. Cassim, Vasantha Dukgannarala, Padmakumara
Metthasena, Ariyasinghe Perera and Kaushith Malinda.
Aruna Lian, Dilan Lambi, Nisal Gangodage and Ravi Hans have set the
songs to melody. The background vocals are by Uresha Ravihari, Nalin
Perera, Surendra Perera, Lesley Thomas, Bavi Susan, Abhisheka
Wimalaweera, Chalitha Weerakoddi and Nadee Kahatapitiya. Mahesh
Nishantha is the still photographer.
Maatha: a picture of patriotism
Ruwini Jayawardana
Seasoned director Vishwanath Buddhika Keerthisena set foundation for
his new movie Maatha at a muhurath ceremony held at the Cinnamon Grand
hotel recently.
Mass Media and Information and Enterprise Development and Investment
Promotion Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa was the chief guest of the
event. Many other
The cast and crew of Maatha with director Boodi Keerthisena.
Picture by Tennyson Edirisinghe |
key figures of the security sector and the movie industry graced the
occasion which unveiled a Boodi’s latest project which will be based on
a true life incident.
The movie opens with the LTTE attack on the Yal Devi train. The story
revolves around a middle class Tamil family who are living a tragic
existence amidst the shadows of terrorism. The movie will portray how
individuals overcome life in the dark period when a part of the country
was within the grasps of terrorism. It will uphold the picture of
patriotism and makes you wonder why each and every individual should not
have the luxury of living in harmony and breathing freely in a country
that has much to offer to the world. Many experienced and popular faces
will be apart of the Maatha cast. They include Ravindra Randeniya,
Mahendra Perera, Kamal Addarachchi, Buddhika Jayaratne, Dharmapriya
Dias, Vasantha Vitttachchi, Dharshana Manoharan, Suranga Ranawaka,
Yashodha Ijas Fa and others. Reputed vocalist Gayan Perera will also
make his entrance to movies as an actor in Maatha.
The script is by Professor Ariyaratne Athugala. Ruwan Jayasinghe will
produce the movie along with Viajya Ratnayake and Saree Mandir
proprietor Sanath Ranaweera.
Milton Caan who had won a lot of applause in many international film
festivas including the Berlin film Festival is the cameraman for the
movie. Duminda Vidanagamarachchi is the assistant director, Joe Fizal is
the editor and Deepthi Weerasuriaya is the production manager of Maatha.
The line producer is Nilantha Perera while the Prasanna Veerakoddy is
the art director. Vasanthi Vittachchi handles the make up department and
Kumara Karavideniya is the costume designer. Ruchira Kahanda does the
hairstyles. The music is by Lakshman Joseph de Sarem. Nimal Vijesiri
Senadheera is the production executive.
Sri Lanka Rupavahini corporation is the media sponsor to Maatha.
Shooting will commence in Colombo and the actual areas that were
affected by terrorism.
Film criticism in general
K S Sivakumaran
Knowledgeable people among us know what “Film” is and what
“Criticism” is all about. And yet, for the benefit of young people who
would like to know about these things from a professional point of you
we may have to go to the generalities of the subject.
Film - there are sweeping definitions to it. Two examples are
suffice: “the most important of the arts”; “an art only on sufferance”.
Films, Cinema, Movies, Motion Pictures are words often used as
synonyms and each word symbolises an attitude on the part of the
producer. Although “Film”and “Cinema”. are interchangeable the word
“Cinema” has become a trendy word in highbrow arty circles to describe
current trends in the art of film. .For our purpose let’s use the word
“Film” that incorporates both the “arty cinema” and ‘popular or
commercial movies
Criticism
Criticism as we all know should be constructive as to show the merits
and demerits of the work discussed and should be based on unbiased
standards of values.
However complete or final criticism is not possible but only certain
aspects like the content and technical aspects of the film seen could be
given to enable the filmgoer to form a picture of the film the person
has seen or going to see as a whole.
There are many schools of film criticism as there are many approaches
to literary criticism. Basically there are academic oriented critiques
as found in some classy film journals and books; and reviews in popular
newspapers and journals. In those days “Sight and Sound” for instance
was considered high level film criticism.
There are two kinds of film reviews in popular media. One is the
media: reports on films, players and the like by film journalists and
studied film reviews by journalists as well as by knowledgeable film and
literary critics.
The criticism or personal reactions or interpretations of a critic
helps the public to better understanding or appreciation of the film
seen or to be seen. One may not agree with the critic most times, but we
must accept the fact that varied interpretations are also possible. Film
critics can influence a larger audience by their genuine criticism.
Despite all that a badly made film without any artistic value can be
popular with the masses and really a good film well done could only be
appreciated by people with artistic sensitivity. Film should entertain
first.
That is a norm in any art form. In very popular box office films the
entertainment is not wholesome and is appreciable in parts. At the same
time a very good popular film can also possess artistic merits.
Nowadays such films are made in many languages from many countries.
In the same way what is known as an’ arty film’ can also be full of fine
tuned entertainment and not mere drab.
We shall talk about the major functions of a film critic next week.
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‘Irony of Fate’ at Russian Centre
The movie ‘Irony of Fate’ will be screened at the Russian Centre
auditorium on November 28 at 5 p.m.
A New Year eve party goes away as four friends devour a little too
much vodka in this witty, scenic comedy. With one man ending up in
another city and another two passed out, the women in their lives begin
to wonder exactly who they will see the New Year in with as the hands of
the clock tick perilously close to midnight.
Kanyavi will visit next month
Sirithunga Perera’s maiden effort at moviemaking Kanyavi will take to
the wide screen in the CEL circuit towards the beginning of December.
The movie which is produced by Indika Vijeratne flows along the lines of
how an accidental meeting can have an impact on blissful family life.
Pubudu Chathuranga |
Though the title makes us pause and think twice, the actual story of
Kanyaviis family oriented. Janaka is an educated and respected family
man who seems to have the best of what life can offer. He has a devoted
wife, a charming daughter, a satisfactory occupation and wealth.
His peaceful existence is shattered on meeting Kumari, a pretty young
girl who offers more than mere friendship when she asks for a lift from
him on one night. Though they bid adieu to each other Kumari’s image
haunts Janaka’s thoughts and she becomes almost an obsession for him. He
craves for her to such an extent that he takes pains to track her down
and talks her into moving into a separate place with him.
Meanwhile Janaka’s friend, Madhawa, possesses an infatuation towards
Janaka’s wife, Imaya. Though he has his problems with Tharushi, a young
film actress who is constantly craving for his attention, he tries to
take advantage of the situation when he realizes that all is not well in
Janaka’s and Imaya’s marriage.
The script of the movie had been in director Sirithunga’s possession
for more than three decades before the project finally took shape. The
main ideology which emerges through “Kanyavi is a celebration of
womanhood. It reveals that a woman needs to be pure at heart and strong
enough to deal with life’s challenges to lead a successful life. She is
the foundation which steadies the family tree. Family is the focal point
in our society,” director Sirithunga revealed.
The creator of the first dual role drama Gmane Ya in 1976 which set
the record for the most number of stagings for its kind added that this
is a creation which should be seen by all the female population of the
country.
After his stint on stage, Sirithunga entered the television industry
and went on to create a number of documentary and musical programs. He
made a number of teledramas while introducing many new faces to the
scene.
A product of Cine Vision Lanka, Kanyavi stars Sanath Gunatilleke,
Meena Kumari, Pubudu Chathuranga, Himali Sayurangi, Susila Kottage, and
others in significant roles. Dilani Maurasinghe and child actress Samadi
Sandaruwani make their entrance to the reel with the movie.
RJ
Toon race heats up in Oscar animation race
‘Alvin and the
Chipmunks ‘, one of the compeitors for the Oscars |
It looks like the best picture race isn’t the only one that’s growing
the animated feature race is shaping up to have five contenders this
year.
Under rules of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, there
must be at least 16 eligible films in a year to expand to five noms (at
the other extreme, if fewer than eight enter, the category disappears).
This year, 20 films were submitted for consideration. Since many of the
toons have not yet opened, and since the Academy has not yet viewed all
20, it’s possible some will be disqualified.
Variety |