Regulatory Authority a must to save Lankan cinema
In order to save and revive the Sri Lankan cinema that has been undergoing continual collapsing for several decades, a large number of veteran filmmakers have come forward in a manner of a united effort with newly formed Filmmakers Guild which had its inaugural meeting on Tuesday, December 4.
Prasanna addressing at Filmmakers Guild.
The maiden effort showed the enthusiasm and keenness of those involved in the cinema as unexpected filmmakers and technicians came in numbers to Colombo to find ways to protect and promote the country’s cinema industry.
Following the successful first effort, renowned filmmaker, Prasanna Vithanage, the chairman of the newly formed Filmmakers Guild talked to the TV Times on the role of the Guild and hopes and challenges that layahead.
TV Times: How did the Filmmakers Guild emerge and what are it aims?
Prasanna: The need for this type of united effort emerged specially to come out from the crisis that had a grip on the industry for a long time. If we don’t act now the entire industry would be collapse. And our main aim is to formulate a national policy to develop cinema in this country.
Under this effort we want to push an investor friendly distribution system and expedite the introduction of digital technology for Sri Lankan cinema.
TVT: What are the most immediate steps that are needed to be taken?
Prasanna: We urgently need a regulatory body with regard to the film distribution. Even the cabinet has admitted the failure in the present system and the need for an authority to carry out a fair distribution of films. The present system of films distribution handled by the private sector is really discouraging to both filmmakers and producers.
TVT: Do you think this is going to be an easy task?
Prasanna: Not at all. There will be a lot of obstacles specially by the private distributors against the proposed changes. But we have to do it if we need to rescue our cinema from this crisis. But there is a transformation taking place. We are in a transitional period.
Actually there can be many a slips between cup and lips but as a united group the Guild wants to push this to happen somehow. We feel sure the private sector might be wanting to sabotage this.
TVT: You have mentioned that another urgent need is to introduce digital cinema?
Prasanna: Yes. It is very important that digital technology is introduced to the industry. It is very cost effective. If we can introduce digital projection producers will be able to release more film copies at a lower rate compared to the present system.
In cinema positive printing is dying and by next year in many countries the technology will come to an end. Besides in digital cinema the quality of the film is good and the filmgoers will be able to experience quality cinema.
TVT: But we don’t have many theatres with digital technology?
Prasanna: The theatre owners will quickly change the technology. Besides we learnt that the government was planning to advise banks to give loans at low interest rates. And there are a large number of people who are waiting to start mini-theatres with digital technology in different areas.
Amity Lite which was opened in Mahargama with around 250 seats recently is the best example. We should not promote massive theatres but mini-theatres and multiplex cinemas.
TVT: Do you think that by changing the distribution system and digital technology we can pull the crowds to the theatres? What about the artistic quality of movies which cannot be promoted with a guild?
Prasanna: It is true. It is the responsibility of the individual filmmakers to produce entertaining films with good stories.
Sri Lanka’s middle income groups or the middle class is growing and there should be better deals from the filmmakers to create good movies.
TVT: Where do you think we can start this?
Prasanna: We need filmmakers who have better understanding of the cinema. The knowledge of cinema should be broadened and we need to have a cinema school to improve the academic knowledge. At least we must start a foreign film school here.
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