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Malaka
excels with short films This selection is the first Sri Lankan entry in this competition. Made as an experimental film, ‘Exchange’ has as its background colonial Sri Lanka under the British rule. Pathiraja L. S. Dayananda and Aruna Priyantha make the cast. The film is a presentation of Cinema and Photographic Society and Media Unit of Colombo University. Making his way to cinema Malaka’s first direction was ‘Sammanaru’ in 1998 His next direction, “Penetrate” made in 2001 was chosen for the ‘Ibda Awards’, an International Film Festival in Iran. Its theme was a university romance which reflected on Sri Lankan youth. Malaka’s third attempt ‘The Life Circle’ was selected for the final round of the Tenth Tel-Aviv Student Short Film Festival last June. The festival which was rated as one of the top festivals of its kind by ‘Cilect’ (the international organization of cinema school) was organized by Film Department of the University of Tel-Aviv in Israel. ‘The Life Circle’ an entry in the competitive section is the first time direction by a student participating at an international film festival. The film was one of the 18 films selected from 3000 films from 163 countries around the world which was selected from three rounds. Just circling around one character this seven-minute short film portrayed the relationship between a woman and labourer. Malaka is grateful to veteran filmmaker, Dharmasena Pathiraja a senior lecturer at the Journalism Department at Colombo University who helps and guides the youngsters to make a better future in cinema. Reading for an International Relations and History degree in the Faculty of Arts Malaka, made all his film with a DV Cam coder which is available at the university. Speaking on the lack of opportunities for the youngsters to peruse in filmmaking Malaka said, this is an art that goes with technology and it is important to know the technical side in addition to the talent. “But unfortunately compared to other countries it has become hardly cared form of art as there is no place to learn it”, Malaka said describing the practical difficulties in learning filmmaking in Sri Lanka. He is strongly canvassing support to create a student film culture and taking this form of art to the younger generation. Having visited Israel with his earlier film he said, “in those countries the talent of youngsters is highly appreciated. Unlike our countries the new talent is welcomed and the adult makes room for the youngsters. This happens in every sphere except in intellectual areas”. |
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