‘TV Around the World’ stops at Lanka

Text and pix By Susitha R. Fernando

‘TV Around the World' a popular TV programme telecast on the prestigious French-German based cultural TV channel 'Arte' in Europe spotlighted Sri Lanka as their latest destination.

Saddamangala Suriyabandara one of the artistes behind ‘Always Breakdown’

The TV channel dedicates its programme to the arts, culture, documentaries and public affairs and the series 'Toutes les télés du monde' (the French title for the programme) depicts the country through its television. The programme has so far focused on nearly 70 countries including Mexico, Sweden, Uganda, Russia, Romania, Algeria, Greece, Italy, Thailand, Lebanon, Burkina, Turkey and Brazil.

Cameraman Philippe Herpin capturing Sri Lankan locatiaon

"The idea of this popular magazine which uses television as a vehicle to discover other countries, cultures, ways of thinking and social issues. In other words we consider television as a mirror and a revealing factor of society," said the programme director, Kevin Morris who was here for nearly three weeks interviewing TV personalities, directors, producers, actors, actresses and the public representing different ethnic and age groups and trying to understand how they interpret the popularity of their programmes in the country.

"Reality shows, soap operas, talk shows, TV series, news, all these are part of our research areas and we tried to select a few programmes which are amongst the most popular or ones that best represent the political and social issues of the country," he said.

"Arte is one of the prestigious channels in Europe with very good response from the audience. The approach is progressive and open minded. It is one of the main venues in Europe for cultural exchanges," says Morris, the independent TV director.

TVAW interviews TNL Chairman Shan Wickremasinghe.

The main focus on the Sri Lankan segment were teledramas, news, comedies, discussions, musicals, advertisements and children's programmes and teledrama directors, actors, producers, advertisers, copy writers and most importantly TV viewers Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim from different strata were interviewed on selected places some in the very locations they were made.

Porgrammes went 'Around the World' A variety of local TV programmes representing different TV channels were featured for the "TV Around the World'.

• Jayantha Chandrasiri's miniplay 'Dadubasnamanaya' which saw a revival to a traditional secret martial arts, 'Angam' which was on the wane.
• Sudath Rohana's 'Saradial', a story of a true hero in the British colonial era of Sri Lankan history.
• Asoka Handagama's 'Nagenahira Weralen' (East is Calling) which highlighted the disastrous catastrophic tsunami and a golden opportunity the country had to experience uniting all people racially, ethnically and religiously casting aside the relevant corroding.
• 'Night Learners' an ironic presentation of drivers learners and the highway code; it gives the easygoing light hearted way that Sri Lankan relate to major issues.
• A blend of history and creativity, the stories of 'Panchatantra' interestingly recreated using muppets by Creata production house.
• Some advertisement done with flavour of Sri Lankan tradition, culture and beliefs by the firm 'XT'.
• Cricket watched by all together despite the existing differences.

Saradial director Sudath Rohan with TVAW director in ‘Uthuwankanda’

Personalities interviewed

• Well-known teledrama director Sudath Rohana who made the popular teledrama 'Saradial' was interviewed at the 'Uythuwankande.
• Filmmaker and teledrama director Asoka Handagama who made teledrama away from the mainstream miniplays.
• Defence Spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on behalf of Media Centre for the National Security.
• Mr. Shan Wickremasinghe, Chairman TNL channel and one of the pioneering figures in Sri Lankan television.
• Journalist, media activist and Convener for Free media Movement, Sunanda Desapriya.
• One of the script writers and dubbing artistes for the main roles in 'Always Breakdown' Saddamangala Suriyabandara.
• Comedian, stage and TV actor Wilson Gunaratne.
• International cricket commentator Roshan Abeysinghe.
• Ajantha Perera, a master of 'Angam' who tries to give life and recognition to the traditional martial art.
• Copy writer Ms. Priyanka Holsinger
• TV audiance representing different ethnic and age groups.

‘Sri Lanka belongs to the ‘First World’ not the Third: Director TVAW

Talking to the pioneering director of ‘TV Around the World’ Kevin Morris, TV Times made to realize the vital role played by the miniscreen in exposing the different nationalities and religious diversity of the Sri Lankans. In short the TV is a window to the prevalent culture of Sri Lanka. Director Kevin Morris ‘It's a country where the ethnic mix has several faces of diversity shown on TV. TV culture itself makes an interesting combination that need attention’ said Kevin Morris when queried on the reason to spotlight Sri Lanka. ‘Among the few things I knew about Sri Lanka was that what I learnt from my favourite shopkeeper next to my house in France. He is a Sri Lankan and I came to know about the peace process, security situation, tsunami and the colonial situation which made an impact on me to see for myself’ said Kevin when asked what he knew about the country he had never visited before. The Canadian born documentary maker started his career as a TV editor in France after he married a French girl and later shifted to be the correspondent in France for the world's leading news agency covering Prince Diana's death, Presidential elections and the famous Paris strikes. ‘Having visited and spent some time here I have learnt a little bit more about the country than before. The most striking thing is that people are yearning to live peacefully with one another while extremism is coming from interested parties in relevant areas’ said this experienced journalist expressing his ideas about the situation in the country. Remarking on the role of the media he said ‘despite the pressure on the media it is trying its best to give objective news of both sides within a troubled framework or the limits of what is possible. ‘I have never come across a country like this. I am against calling this a third world or a developing country. Coming from Canada how can I call Sri Lanka which has a history of over 2000 years a third world country? I believe it belongs to the first world’ Kevin said sharing his views on the country. Speaking about the TV audience in Sri Lanka he said ‘despite the different social and economic levels TV has become a important part in their lives’. When asked about an unforgettable experience while directing the programme in Sri Lanka Morris said, "I am very disappointed about the National television Rupavahini but I found some of the private television stations like MTV and TNL very hospitable. They welcomed me and the people I met there were very broad minded and were happy to contribute productively to the programme which will bring international recognition for the coutnry's television. Whereas Rupavahini was suspicious and quite curious, an attitude which I found very bewildering.