Behind the scene ICM works to promote cinema as a culture
Independent Cinema Movement (ICM) a collective of film makers, technicians, artistes and film critics of Sri Lanka, have come a long way silently but steadily working to promote cinema culturally and as an industry.
Initiated by a number of first time filmmakers and artistes, the movement aims to work for the betterment of cinema as a team and promote cinema in its cultural aspects.
Though there was not much fanfare, the organisation has been well established with most of its founding members having completed their second or third films. However the movement moves on as one united collective without anyone expecting any personal gain or glory.
The ICM was the idea of veteran cinematographer, writer, cinema expert and teacher M. D. Mahindapala, filmmaker Satyajith Maitipe and Palitha Perera.
“The ICM’s main aims is to promote cultural aspects of cinema. Various programmes including discussions on cinema, sharing knowledge on technical aspects of filmmaking, launching of books on cinema have already been done with the participation of both those in the industry and the lovers of cinema,” said one of the members of the movement who said his name was not important but it was the ICM’s message that mattered. Started with ‘Motor Bicycle’ directed by Shameera Rangana Naotunna, a number of discussions have been organised on films in line with their releases. A discussions have been conducted on Chatra Weeraman’s‘Aloka Udapadi’, Thisara Imbulana’s‘Nino Live’, Malith Hagoda’s‘Dekala Purudu Kenek’ and Visakesa Chandrasekaram’s‘Pangshu’. Thanks to the social media and development of information technology all the ICM’s work is now available on its social media including Facebook page and Youtube channel.
The ICM work to promote cinema works of individuals so that the cinema would be promoted as an industry thereby more filmgoers will visit theatres. In line with film releases the movement has organised various events to promote them.
“We are trying to make an intervention to cinema and get the audience to be part of it,” the spokesman said.
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As one of the foremost projects, the ICM as a concerned group has prepared an extensive set of proposals covering all areas of cinema from writing a script to release and publicity. The proposals have been made into a book with solutions to some of the burning issues in Sri Lankan cinema today.
The group had been working hard behind the scene. The collective comprises mostly independent filmmakers making art house cinema. However there are also directors who made films of other genres.
“In the cinema industry there is a problem with regard to sharing information. There is some basic information which is not shared with newcomers. The generation before us journeyed alone and what we are trying to do is to go as a team,” said another member of the ICM.
The younger generation has experienced the hypocrisy of some seniors who were scared of sharing the information they had.
The discussions and other programmes could be joined live via ICM’s facebook page and zoom technology.
The movement’s work is now available with added supporting materials on ICM social media sites.
The social media access to Independent Cinema Movement
Facebook - https://www.face book.com/ICMlk,
Youtube – Independent Cinema Movement, LK
Instagram - icm_lk
| ICM Cineposium on Production Designing |
The Independent Cinema Movement’s latest project, Cineposium, a discussion on productions designing of a film will go on air via social media at 9.00 am today ( February 7).
The discussion will be attended by three leading production designers Lal Harindranath, Athula Sulthanagoda and Bimal Dushmantha. It will be moderated by Upul Chamila Bandara.
The discussion will go live on ICM Facebook page and it could be joined on Zoom via.
Meeting ID: 822 1824 1753
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82218241753