The reality behind Colombo
‘Colombo’ introducing a group of newcomers to Sri Lankan cinema, is now being screened in EAP circuit cinemas around the country.
The film marks the screenplay and direction debut for budding filmmaker Asama Randhil Liyanage. It is a co-production of Anusha Sanjeewa, Ranjith Liyanage, Nimalika Perera, Harinda Achalanka Kulasuriya. For all of them it is their first production. The stellar cast includes Hemal Ranasinghe, Dharmapriya Dias, Kumara Thirimadura, Jehan Appuhamy, Rukmal Nirosh, Shanika Niroshi, Nishan Kumara, Chandika Prasad, Kusal Vimukthi, Chamal Ranasinghe, Asanka Dhinal, Madhumali Jayasinghe and Tharu Bogoda.
Set in the suburbs of Colombo, the story is woven around three young men who try to justify various illegal activities just for their day to day survival. Oscar, Junior and Jude are determined to go to the world they are dreaming of by hook or by crook. They would do anything and everything to achieve their dreams.
“I wrote this story actually based on true characters I have come across. Some of their habits and how they live are depicted in this film,’ said Asama Randhil Liyanage, the young filmmaker.
‘This is another side of Colombo and I have studied about their lives in depth,” Liyanage said. “In the areas like Mahawatte, Mattakkuliya and Grandpass we come across a completely different people with a different social strata. The struggle the young men like us go through is interesting to study,” he added.
Interestingly the film was shot in and around the same locations in Mattakkuliya and Mahawatte.
Trained in filmmaking at the Sri Lanka Television Training Institute (SLTTI) Mr. Liyanage followed a course conducted by the late filmmaker Dr. Dharmasena Pathiraja. A student of Nalanda College Colombo was interested in creative writing even during his school days.
“It was my interest for writing that pushed me to become a filmmaker. We were the first batch of diploma holders in the filmmaking course started by Dr.. Pathiraja in 2016. A number of students in this class joined my work,” said Mr. Liyanage who is just 26 years now.
Having sat for his Advanced Level examination in Commerce stream, mr. Liyanage was later selected for Law degree at the Open University of Colombo but he gave it up for he wanted to study cinema.
Though completely new to the industry, Mr. Liyanage was overwhelmed by the support he received from the experienced and popular cast.
Asked about the risk he has taken by releasing the film during the Covid-19 pandemic, a risk even experienced filmmakers would not take, the young filmmaker said it was a collective decision by all those behind the film.
“The producers and all others are confident that this film would do well,” Liyanage said
Cinematographed by Amith Krishantha, edited by Thilanka Perera, make up Rasika Tennakone, sound designing Dinesh Ekanayake, production designer Thushara Kalubowila, and assistant directors are Seel Jayas and Nandun Hemachandra. To the musical score written by Ajith Kumarasiri, the playback song of ‘Colombo’ is written by George Samuwen and sung by Shane Singh.