TV Times

TV Times

‘Country is not conducive for filmmakers’- Handagama
By Susitha R. Fernando
Controversial filmmaker Ashoka Handagama complained that since the recent past, a situation had been created that was not conducive for filmmakers, who have been addressing politically sensitive issues through the medium of their films.

Mr. Handagama was referring to the circumstances which forced him to look for a circuit to release his latest direction ‘Aksharaya" (The letter of fire).
He claimed that after the Public Performance Board (PPB) had passed his film to be released with the adults only tag there was a delay in releasing his copy to him.

‘Corporation authorities unnecessarily held back the release of the print and the certificate. This was on the grounds that although the censor board had approved the film there were certain procedures to be followed before releasing the film. The NFC wanted to re-check whether it was the same print that the PPB or the Censor Board viewed and subsequently approved. Finally I was informed that the print of the film would be kept under the custody of the NFC until the secretary to the cultural ministry sees and approves it.

The reason cited was that they had received information that the film was not in keeping with the cultural policy of the government," Handagama said.
The filmmaker who was well known for his earlier films "Me Mage Sandai" (This is my moon) and "Thani Thanuwen Piyabanna" (Flying with one wing) argued that the film 'Aksharaya' was his private property, and the NFC had no right to show it to anybody without his consent.

"I submitted the print to the NFC and obtained clearance from the Censor Board, and they have approved it, so I don't want any other party to see the movie." ‘Despite my objection the NFC refused to release the film and informed that the Corporation has the authority to hold the print. I made a complaint at the Cinnamon Gardens police station and in the meantime the film was later released" Mr. Handagama said.

However Handagama now claimed the biggest challenge facing him is to a circuit to release his film. "After meeting so many challenges the film cannot be screened to the public as the circuit owners are reluctant to release our films despite the fact it had attracted a considerable audience" the filmmaker stated.

"Releasing this film is not a commercial project but a social and political one" he added. No other commercial distributor, under the prevailing fearful conditions would come forward to accept the challenge. "Consequently finding a person or a company to distribute my new film has become a difficult task. It is only by successfully releasing one of this type of movies which is rich both in cinematic form and content, that we can break the barrier," he said.

Veteran filmmaker and critic, former chairman of the National Film Corporation, Mr. Tissa Abeysekara writing about the film stated that the film "Letter of Fire" is a radical statement, a cruel blade, which rips open the dark belly of our moral façade to lay bare the stinking mess within....a bold and an honest film and I would raise both my hands in homage to the brave young men and women who had the courage to make it. They shake a collective fist of defiance at the social, political, and the critical establishment of our country."
Mr. Handagama said that he would request the film corporation circuit to release his film as director Handagama has not been successful in obtaining a private circuit prepared to accommodate his request.

When asked about this from the NFC Chairman Ashoka Serasinghe said that the delay was few hours and no any incident took place. "This was due to a mistake by the Public Performance Board which delayed to release the film copy", Mr. Serasinghe said. He said that censorship takes place through the NFC where the film dealer hand over the copy to the corporation which in return handover it to PPB. "And once the film was passed by the PPB, it hand us over the copy and the certificate but there was a delay in this procedure which in turn delayed releasing the copy to Mr. Handagama" NFC Chairman said.

Mr. Serasinghe said that Ministry secretary previewing a film does not come under his purview and the Ministry is superior to him. However he said the PPB comes under the Minister and the secretary has the power to see the film when it is in the custody of the PPB. "Censorship is the duty of the Minister and the Minister had delegated that power to the PPB. If the Minister is not satisfied with PPB's version he can asked the board not to release the film until he sees it. And later on Minister can take a decision. ‘Censorship is in the control of the Minister," the NFC Chairman said.

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