‘CineMa’, A true story of cinema
By Susitha Fernando
Produced by Champika Janandana, the film exposes the bitter realities of cinema industry while it also pays tributes to those who have sacrificed their lives for cinema.
The film was inspired by childhood experiences of director who now a medical practitioner. “In Elpitiya I lived in front of a cinema hall and I was allowed watch films from the projector room. Watching a movie for so many times through that little hole in the projector room, I was enthralled and the project operator was very kind to me to share his knowledge while I watch movies,” Dr. Suriyarachchi who earlier made debut with Sinhala movie,‘Prathirupa’ said. While I went through the blissful memories of cinema as a child, when I tried to release my first film, a dream come true I came to know the bitter realities of this industry,” Dr. Suriyarachchi who is now a communication specialist and serves as the Head of Health Promotion Division of the Public Health Department of Colombo Municipal Council said.
“CineMa” revolves around the protagonist Sumal Dharmaratne, a projector operator at a cinema hall and he took this up this job from his father. Having helped his father for a long time and being at the cinema hall and watching hundreds of movies, he picks ups the technology behind cinema and its artistic inspirations. Now his dream is to write a script and direct a film one day.
Jaliya is Sumal’s assistant and he always dressed in European style and he too is interested in the technology behind cinema. Sumal helps Jaliya to reach his dream.
Living in the poor urban congested housing setting, some of the neighbours and the landlord Rupalatha, is suspicious about Jaliya and his behaviour. There are few other characters relate to cinema. Sanjaya Premachandra is veteran in cinema field and he is a filmmaker as well and he wants to see the development of cinema.
Ananda Wijeratne is a yesteryear film star and following an accident at a film set, now he is confined to a wheelchair.
However determined to serve cinema, he opens a museum and shares
knowledge about cinema with the younger generation.
Thilini Samarasinghe is dreaming to be a star one day and coming from a rural village she goes through a number of unanticipated incidents in the city is also another character featured in the film.
Wishwakeerthi Amerasuriya is a filmmaker, screenplay writer and
award winning filmmaker but he is a known as a shrewd businessman.
Using his money, he is robbing the intellectual properties of talented filmmakers and who have no means to release their creations.
The film stars Shyam Fernando, Bimal Jayakody, Mega Suriyarachchi, Nayanathara Wickremarachchi, Robin Fernando, Douglas Ranasinghe, Iranganie Serasinghe, Chandani Seneviratne, Duleeka Marapana, Wijeratne Warakagoda, Kalani Dodentenna,Isuru Lokuhettarachchi,
Gamini Hettiarachchi, Kaushalya Samarasinghe, Lakindu Nirmani, Oshem de Silva, Ashoka Amunugama, Thrishalan Tashie, Thusith Ranaweera and Sandali Kaavya.
Edited and colour grading done by Prasanga Napawala, cinematographed by Nishantha Pradeep and art direction is by Dinesh Indika Wijesiri and Buddhi Sanjaya Edirisinghe.
Music director is by Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe, make up by Susantha Ranasinghe and production manager is Damayanthi Fonseka.
Playback songs are sung by Amerasiri Peiris, Senaka Batagoda, Uresha Ravihari and Ranjan
Saliya Perera.
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