Lankan road movie in Shanghai this week
Nilendra Deshapriya’s maiden film ‘Thanha Rathi Ranga’ (Between Yesterday and Tomorrow) is now being screened at the 17th Shanghai International Film Festival. Starring Sarath Kothalawala, Kumara Thirimadura, Namal Jayasinghe and Sulochana Weerasinghe in the lead roles, the film was earlier selected as an official entry to the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival in the United States.
A road movie about a country where a 30-year old civil conflict has brutalized the psychology of its people, making it utterly impossible to settle with peace, the film revolves around three friends who are deeply connected despite their differences and inner conflicts to realize their dream of visiting a land that was long restricted to be explored.
The three main characters of the film, Wimal, Suraj and Sirithunga, are peculiar creatures, sort of anti-heroes. Wimal, a three wheeler driver, has had many deceptions in life. Impulsive, often crashing into obstacles Suraj is an oversensitive University student, affected by an unexplained melancholy.Then there is Sirithunga a handyman, a father of three young children.
Others in the cast include Dayadewa Edirisinghe, Swarna Mallawarachchi, Anoja Weerasinghe, Nita Fernando, Kamal Addararachchi and Adam Adamally.
Behind the screen, scripted by Sarath Kothalawala and Kumara Thirimadura, cinematographer is Dhanushka Gunathilake, art director Heenatigala Premadasa, make up Narada Thotagamuwa and music composition and direction by Gayathri Khemadasa and Anupa Khemadasa. ‘Thanha Rathi Ranga’ is edited by Ravindra Guruge while Tapas Nayak handled sound designing.