‘There is no cinema for the younger generation’

Director Senesh Dissanayake Bandara

The young director Senesh Dissanayake Bandara strongly protests that our cinema has not focused on the younger generation. The talented filmmaker who entered the cinema having made a large number of television productions claims that popular cinema is needed to bring the filmgoers back to the theatres. Here follows excerpts of an interview conducted by the TV Times with him.

TVT: Having made another new film for the younger generation what are the differences you see between your previous 'Adaraneeya Wassane' and 'Heart FM'?

Senesh: I received mixed reaction for my first film. While there was 20% of the audience critical of the film, I received 80% positive reactions from the audience. I was able to make an identity of my own with that film and I am glad to say it received 29 nominations from Presidential, Sarasavi and SIGNIS festivals and won 14 awards including Jury award for the direction. But when I made my latest film I was more experienced about the cinema and the tastes of the audience. And with these experiences I wanted to handle a serious type of cinematic work with my latest.

TVT What were your objectives of this film?

Senesh: I feel honoured when a young director like me was invited by Soma Edirisinghe to do a film. And I want to make a new cinema trend to attract audiences back to the cinema while making it a financial success for the producer.

TVT: What is the need for a new trend?

Senesh: We have a very powerful art film industry. And there are enough so called comedy films. But we find there is a lack of films for the youth or the younger generation. And like any other themes a genuine love story which appeas to all types of audiences is necessary for the existence of a cinema.

TVT: How do you think we could attract audiences back to cinemas?

Senesh: I strongly believe that our audience is not uneducated. Today with television, cable TVs, DVDs and home movie systems people are up to date with the knowledge of cinema and its technology and it's a joke to think that we can taking them for fools. So to attract the audience back to cinemas we have to create the massive cinematic effect in our cinema which could not be experienced at our homes. For this it is important that we provide them the cinematic sounds and pictures that one will experience in the cinemas.

TVT: Is there any film culture that influenced you?

Senesh: Yes. I really appreciate British Popular Cinema and also the developments in Bollywood cinema. The popular Bollywood cinema started by Raj Kapoor has come a long way today. And today Bollywood cinema is named as 'Designers cinema' as colours and designing play vital roles. And it is important these popular aspects are maintained to develop cinema in any country. Unfortunately after 1970s our popular cinema never developed. That is why we didn't have any powerful heroes and heroines after Gamini Fonseka, Vijaya Kumaratunga and Malani Fonseka.

TVT: What made you to title your film 'Heart FM'?

Senesh: Actually I made the film without a title. There was only a working title and all the titles I tried did not work. And it was Mrs. Soma Edirisinghe who suggested this title and I had no problem with it as there are several scenes relating to a radio channel there too.