A newcomer's fine effort
For a first-timer, filmmaker Bennet Ratnayake has done an excellent job in 'Aswesuma'. His maiden effort surpasses many by the veterans and is deservedly gaining due recognition by way of awards at international festivals. The film is a fine example of a collective effort where everyone has given of their best. The acting is good, the photography is beautiful, the editing is tight and the music is absorbing. What more!
Working with his own script, Ratnayake obviously wanted to make his mark on the big screen having shown his capabilities on the small screen. He has succeeded in his effort. Set in the gem country in the forties, 'Aswesuma' relates a simple story of simple people and brings into focus their simple beliefs. The valuable gem which the husband finds while their infant is being buried in the pouring rain brings them not riches but misery. The wife is convinced it is not a blessing, as the husband hopes, but a curse. Ultimately it leads to murder and rape much to the distress of the young family.
The story as related by the husband 50 years later is most poignantly portrayed by Joe Abeywickrema who once again proves that he can still dominate the scene while many have faded away. He does little acting but sitting on the bench in a police station, he narrates the story with so much emotion and feeling. Jackson Anthony and Sangeetha Weeraratne team up perfectly as the much harassed young couple.
Harsha does it again
Harsha Makalanda makes a welcome appearance in 'Aswesuma' with a fine musical score. Using local drums he has once again delivered the ideal score to suit the different moods of the film. With the gem country forming the backdrop, Harsha has been greatly influenced by the Sabaragamuwa 'vannams' in creating the score.
Listening to the music in 'Aswesuma' one is reminded of Harsha's great effort in Tissa Abeysekera's epoch-making teledrama, 'Pitagamkarayo' where his award winning score complemented the different eras covered by the story which once again had the Kelani valley as its backdrop. |
