Wesly Snipes ('Blade' and 'U.S. Marshals') is Neil Shaw, an American agent who must uncover an international plot to bring down the United Nations on the eve of an historic summit with China.

A group of murdered Chinese refugees is found in a container in the New York harbour, setting off a bizarre and mysterious chain of events leading to the murder of the Chinese U.N. Ambassador. When Shaw is accused of the crime, he must go underground-in effect, vanish from his own life to solve the mystery and clear his name. He can trust no one except a beautiful U. N. translator who may hold the key to a global conspiracy of cataclysmic proportions.

In the tale of deception is David Chan the ruthless businessman Shaw suspects of being the mastermind behind the apparent sabotage of the agreement with China.

Working hand in hand with Shaw when everyone seems to betray him Mario Matiko starring as Julia, the U.N. translator plays a key role in Shaw's uncovering of the conspiracy. It was their joint effort to unravel the set of international crooks.

The film set against the high-stakes corridors of the United Nations is filled with pulse-racing stunt scenes.

Filled with martial arts stunts, fast driving cars and trucks and motorcycle rides 'Art of War' unravels a racket and underhand activities involved in the international politics done by United Nations.

The destiny of the whole world is controlled by one or two who pretend to be international peace crusaders. Hidden are dangerous agendas that take place in international peace movements even in the UN itself. The film is based on the theme of manipulation and the idea that things are not what they appear to be.

Playing an international cast with Asians, Americans and Canadians the film stars Anne Archer as Shaw's supervisor, Hooks, an ambitious FBI agent. Maury Chaykin as Capella, Marie Matico as Julia Fang, the U.N. translator who is Shaw's only ally, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa is cast as Chan. Michael Biehn as Shaw's American agent partner, Bly and Donald Southerland stars as UN Secretary General Thomas.

The screenplay is by Wayne Beach and Simon Davis Barry and story is by Wayne Beach. Produced by Nicolas Clermont, "The Art of War" is directed by Christian Duguay. The film is distributed by Warner Brothers Pictures.

Handagama flies high on one wing
Ashoka Handagama's film "Flying With One Wing" ('Thani Thatuwen Piyambanna') was chosen as the Best Asian Film at the recently concluded Tokyo International Film Festival.

Competing with15 other Asian films Handagama's creation rose to the top. Along with the award the director was offered a prize of one million Yen.

The film last month represented Sri Lanka at San Sebastian International Film Festival (IFF) in Spain and it will be screened at Nantes IFF, France on November 23. This film was the first Sri Lankan representation at both these festivals.

In addition to these screenings, the film had enjoyed seven outings at other foreign festivals.

Made around a novel theme the main roles are played by Anoma Jinadari, Mahendra Perera, W. Jayasiri, Wilson Gunaratne and Gayani Sasanthika.

His earlier film 'Me Mage Sandai' represented Lanka at over ten international film festivals and was selected for the experimental section in the London Film Festival. It won the award for the Best film at the 'Joungu' International Film Festival in Korea and Bronze Remi award for the Best Feature film at the Houston International Film Festival.

His first film, "Chanda Kinnarie" (Moon Lady) won several awards including awards for Most Promising Director in 1994 and the OCIC award and for Best film, Best Director and Best screenplay.

'Thani Thatuwen Piyambanna' the first film produced by Upul Shantha Sannasgala is to be released at the beginning of early January next year.

'Rosa Patikki': Tale of woe
"Rosa Patikki" is another film made around a woman, who is victimised by social evil now being screened at Ritz, Borella and other cinemas.

The film, directed by Eranga Senaratne and produced by Sarath Namalgama, has Veena Jayakody in the main role.

The story unfolds around Siriyawathi a mother of two children. Meeting with an accident her husband becomes a cripple. This brings disaster to her family and she plans to go in search of black gold. But she is cheated by the agent who takes the money she got after mortgaging her house and property. She goes to police when a policeman befriends her promising to help her to get back the money. Later he too deserts Siriyawathi.

Others in the cast are Asela Jayakody, Sarath Namalgama, Mayuri Samarasinghe and Prasannajith Abeysuriya.

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