Prasanna Vithanage is a silent worker. He gets about his business of filmmaking swiftly with minimum fuss. While working on his new film, he took the initiative in collaborating with two German outfits and doing a co-production.
Always on the lookout for a fresh theme, Prasanna picked on a star of yesteryear as the theme for his latest venture. "It's not a real life story of a star who was popular once and has now been forgotten," he hastens to explain. "Of course, one cannot prevent being influenced by what one observes over the years."
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| Malani playing the lead role in Akasa Kusum |
"It's an all female cast with all the lead roles being played by females," Prasanna says. Led by Malani Fonseka, in the cast are Nimmi Harasgama (she gave a convincing performance in Prasanna's film on the North-East conflict, 'Ira Mediyama'), Kaushalya Fernando (who has shown her talent both on stage and cinema), Jayani Senanayake (another actress who has shown prowess on stage and cinema) and Dilani Ekanayake, a popular name in teledramas and films.
The film titled 'Akasa Kusum' (Flowers in the Sky) will have its world premiere at the Pusan International Film Festival in October. Prasanna believes Pusan has become the hub of Asian cinema. The film will then go to the continent. The local release has been timed for early next year.
Global publicity has already begun with an effective campaign. The theme of the story is described thus: A forgotten film star Sandhya Rani (Malani Fonseka) unexpectedly sees her profile rise again when she is embroiled in controversy. As a media-crazy nation draws her into its net, she is confronted with a changed, compromised industry - more commercialized, media savvy and sans values. As she faces her new found fame, Sandhya comes to confront her darkest demons - and also herself..
As he always does, Prasanna tries to keep the film tight. It will run for 90 minutes. After the editing was completed in Chennai, co-producer and editor Sreekar Prasad, in a recent interview said: "What attracts me towards his (Prasanna's) way of filmmaking is the simplicity he could achieve. He doesn't over dramatize anything but still it is clearly told. The emotions that are conveyed in his films are minimalist. I also like his sense of dialogue, they are very little but effective. This simplicity is what that appeals to me working with Prasanna." (Incidentally, book publisher H.D. Prermasiri joins hands with Prasanna as co-producer.)
More universal appeal
Commenting on the mood of the film, Prasad says that the emotion Prasanna has created is more universal than his earlier films. "It could reach a greater number of people. Wherever there is a film industry, people could relate with the film much more easily and clearly. I think this will be a difference from his previous films."
Describing Malani Fonseka's acting as "fantastic", he said the audience can so easily empathise with her behaviour, insecurity and little excitements. "She has done a great job being the main protagonist of the film."
Lakshman Joseph de Saram who composed the music for Prasanna's earlier film 'Ira Mediyama' handles the music in the new film too.
Prasanna was also involved in 'Machan' directed by Italian film director Uberto Pasolini that tells the story of 23 young men getting across to Europe to take part in a handball tournament and then disappearing. It's the re - creation of a common happening with young men from neighbouring countries coming across to Sri Lanka looking then to be smuggled across to greener pastures.
'Akasa Kusum' is Prasanna's sixth feature film, after 'Ira Madiyama' (August Sun) 2003, 'Purahanda Kaluwara' (Death on a Full Moon Day) 1997, 'Pawuru Walalu' (Walls Within) 1997, 'Anantha Rathriya' (Dark Night of the Soul) 1996 & 'Sisila Gini Gani' (Ice On Fire) 1992. |
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