Golden Era of Sri Lankan Film Industry

 Handagama, not only a well known and controversial director but also a top figure at Central Bank of Sri Lanka working as Director of Communications. Although as a filmmaker, he’s known to focus on controversial issues and had attracted both praises and criticism from different ends, his lecture seem to distance him self from the rebellious character and focused on a detailed and a structured plan on revitalizing the Sri Lankan Cinema Industry.

 

Hiru Glden Awards

The Hiru Golden Film Awards was held on a grand scale at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium yesterday leaving a golden note in the history of Sri Lankan cinema as the largest local cinema awards ceremony held ever in Sri Lanka.

Hiru Golden Film Awards organized to international standards was held with the participation of a galaxy of Bollywood and local superstars.

Several Bollywood superstars including Bipasha Basu, Neha Dupia, Anil Kapoor, Sunil Shetti and Vivek Oberoi joined this historic cinematic experience

In addition, super vocalist Alka Yagnik who thrilled the hearts of Bollywood fans also joined her fellow film stars.

State of the art technology and most modern lighting systems never used in a Sri Lankan awards ceremony were used to provide lighting for Hiru Golden Film Awards.

In addition, the most sophisticated sound control system and most advanced camera system in the country were used to cover this spectacular event leaving a lasting memory of the ceremony.

Sri Lankan film industry which began 67 years ago has passed its golden era where film personnel were appreciated.

But no quality productions were screened afterward thereby making it one of the causes to collapse the industry.

 

 

Gamini Fonseka

Gamini Fonseka actor in the Sinhala silver screen and he was born in 21 March 1936. According to book “Lester by Lester”, “To work with Gamini was an absolute pleasure for me other directors have problems. Because he takes over and directs himself with me it has always been without a question. Occasionally he would ask whether to do something. Otherwise, I only tell him how the scene went. Sometimes I don’t even give him directions. He knows the scene and knows what to do. He is conscientious and the spontaneity in his acting is really remarkable”

It was Lester James Peris who gave Gamini his first break in movies through his path-breaking film ‘Rekawa” (line of density). Gamini showed his face for the first time on screen in a scene in the film. He was working as a camera production assistant for Lester. It was Lester who made Gamini an assistant director for his second film. “Sandeshaya” in which he also played the second lead to Ananda Yogarathna.

Three of Gamini Fonseka’s memorable character portrayals on screen were as “Jinadasa” while “Abenayaka” and “Saviman Kabalana” in the films. Gamperaliya, Nidhanaya, and Yuganthaya respectively.

Gamini Fonseka’s first attempt at directing was “Parasathumal”. In which Lester played a behind the scenes role as an adviser and guide.

Young Gamini had secondary schooling at S.Thomas collage Mt.Lavania. He wanted to be a cinematographer and a film director.

Cinema of Sri Lanka

 

  Sri Lankan cinema includes film made in Sri Lanka. Beginning of industry that has struggled to establish, since its induction in 1947 with “Kadauna Poronduwa” produced by S.M.Nayagam of chithrakala move tone. Due to the language of the majority Sinhala people most of Sri Lankan film made in Sinhala language.

In early years most film were made in South Indian studios. So that South Indian film style influenced to the Sinhala films in early period. The pioneer director Lester James Peris was the first Sinhala film director who shot his first film completely out of the studio. It name was “Rekawa” in 1956. It was commended by local and international cities.

In 1963, Mr. Lester James Peris contributed development of Sri Lankan cinema with “Gamperaliya”. It was a turning point in Sri Lankan cinema doing away with songs, dance, comic and fights. He won the Golden prize at the International Film Festival of India in 1965. Since that he had made 20 feature films including Nidanaya and Kaliyugaya. He is considered as the father of Sri Lankan cinema.

During 1970 several talents came to the forefront while commercial cinema contributed to steal from Indian cinema. “Welikathara” by Dr. Nihalsingha Sri Lanka’s first film in cinemascope ratio wide screen in 1972. Wasantha Obesekara, Darmasena Pathiraja, Mahagamasekaraand Sumithra Peris are other major directors who stepped forward during this time.

In recent years few best movies made in cinema industry. The film produce such as Thissa Abesekara, Prasanna Vitanage, Vimukthi Jayasundara and Ashoka Handagama were became the leader in the industry and they have attempted to breathe new life in to the industry.

More over state film corporation (SFC) established a unique credit scheme for film production loans were given on the basis of script evaluation.