Sunday Times 2
Mettasena takes new aim
View(s):He is best known as a photographer, but is also a writer and lyricist. Now Padmakumar P. Mettasena is venturing into new territory with his directorial debut- a silent short film entitled ‘Paragon’. The film, which is for mature audiences, deals with the social issue of extra-marital affairs. The main character, a middle-aged businessman and the owner of a printing press, is married to a young and attractive girl who falls in love with one of the younger workers in the press. The film portrays the distress and disappointment felt by all the characters.
Padmakumar P. Mettasena venturing into new territory with his directorial debut
“My idea was to help new directors by opening up a new path to them. Silent films need more concentration to detail. This medium uses visuals to depict the story and not words. This makes it universal in the form of putting across the story without a language barrier. The meaning, message and story of the film depend mainly on the director and the actors,” he says.
While featuring two Indian actors, Mettasena has drawn from other fields for his cast. Fellow photographer Thilak Seneviratne takes the main character of the businessman, while Giriraj Kaushalya, Sanath Weerasuriya, Thisuri Yuwanika, Samanthi Lanerolle, G.R. Perera, Duminda Kalangasuriya, and Nilan Maligaspe, Prasanga Silva and Janaka Jayakody also star in the film.
Indian artistes, Rangana Mishra and Ovez Bakshi portray the young wife and the worker she falls in love with. Rangana is a model who ventured into acting three years ago. This is her first exposure in a foreign film and she’s very excited about it. Ovez has just finished his studies in cinematography and is currently preparing the script for his debut production.
Says Ovez, “I like to concentrate on current issues and I’m more interested in making the film rather than starring in it. But I have known Metta for sometime and wanted to help in his first production. I didn’t even sign an agreement but just did it for friendship.”
“I had to grow through a lot of challenges to make my dream come true. But I also learnt a lot from this experience. The adult content isn’t too explicit but I wanted to take some good shots so as to bring out the romance element. I suppose being a bachelor does give me freedom although to be used within a limit,” Mettasena adds with a laugh.
Indian actors Rangana Mishra and Ovez Bakshi
He is especially thankful for the support he had in this venture from cinematographer Ayeshmantha Hettiarachchi, film editor Praveen Jayaratne, art director Heenatigala Premadasa and hair and make up specialist Indika Udaralanka. The music was done by veteran musician, Rohana Weerasinghe. The assistant director is Suresh Sharman and still photography was done by Hasitha Kathriarachchi and Sanjaya Withana.
comments powered by Disqus