“Silver Lining for silver cinema” – Sunil Ariyaratne
View(s):By Susitha Fernando
Veteran filmmaker Sunil Ariyaratne’s newest film ‘Ksheera Sagaraya Kalabina’ (The Milky way churned), a magical realism movie made based on the late writer Simon Navagaththegama’s novel will be screened from May 18.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic–one of the hardest blows for cinema industry in the recent past–at a time when Sri Lankan cinema trying to rise from the ashes, Prof. Ariyaratne is ready to release his newest film.
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- Prof. Ariyaratne
Having released his last film ‘Viajayaba Kollaya’ which was a box-office record in 2919, the same producer, H. D. Premasiri has joined Prof. Ariyarante who started the film career with ‘Anupama’ in 1978.
When Prof. Ariyaratne decided to make the film, the copyright of the novel had already been taken by award winning tele director, Ananda Abayenayake from the writer in 1995. Abeynayake had even planned to hire Gamini Fonseka and Jackson Anthony for two titular roles of emperor and the revolutionary.
“So I decided to replace Jackson for Gamini’s role and young talented actor Hemal for Jackson” Prof. Ariyaratne said. This screenplay was written by Jackson himself.
“On another note this is an experiment. We are used to watch realistic cinema but this is a story of magical realism and there are no names for characters and there is no time setting, period or place. So it could happen anywhere at any time of the history or future. But I feel this story is evergreen and its suits anytime and it is extremely apolitical,” the Sinhala Professor explained.
The story revolves around an emperor who lives in lap luxury spending a lavish life when his subjects are in the depth of poverty. But one day he decides to the palace and go to the people dress up as a beggar. What he sees shocks him and he comes across a revolutionary who is mobilising people against the Emperor.
Ironically Emperor himself is forced to join the revolution which has been started against himself. This is an irony.
“This is important for Sri Lanka where people resort to a revolution against the leader they elected and chased him away. And the time after the political turmoil or Aragalaya, the screening of this film is ideal,” the veteran filmmaker said.
Making the film was a challenge as it was filmed during the Covid-19 pandemic where people were in lock-down. We had 45 days of shooting and there were around 500 extras and the film had to be completed while fighting against the Covid 19 pandemic,”.
The film is scheduled to be released on May 18 in many cinemas including the Scope cinema, Kandy Super Centre, Ridma circuit cinemas and many more.
Prof. Ariyaratne also said despite crisis, there is a silver lining at the end of the tunnel. “There are many positives have been happening in Sri Lankan cinema. In Australia and other foreign countries people who love cinema like Malaka Yapa and others are organising screening of Sri Lankan films in Australia, New Zealand and other countries.
“And filmmakers like Prasanna Vithanage has gone international directing and producing films for Indian audience. This was one of the distant dreams that we were waiting to realise for years. Prasanna has directed a Malayalam film and produced a Hindi film. Sri Lankan filmmakers have gone to international with Prasanna’s achievement,” Prof. Ariyaratne said.
He also commented on the desperate situation of some of the theatres and also new developments with multiplex cinemas. “Many cinemas have been closed down. In my opinion these cinema halls are either too old for film screenings or completely dilapidated. Some of them were E-cinemas. They should have been closed down anyway as their quality is hopeless. But in place of these cinemas new multiplexes are coming up in areas like Katubedda, Wattala and Havelock town.
With these developments those ‘Takaran Madu’ have to be closed down or demolished,” the veteran filmmaker said. “Do you believe that there are 35mm theatres still operating in this country? There are at least four cinemas there. We don’t know what they are screening. With the end of 35mm cinema hall, wegot E-cinema halls which are one of the lowest quality film screening technology. How unfair to that our patrons are still forced see films in these god-forsaken black coloured low quality screens. And there are cinema hall which run liquor bars without screening film. What a mockery or joke is this?” he argued.
The stellar cast of the film includes Jackson Anthony, Gihan Fernando, Hemal Ranasinghe, Harini Kavyanjani, Udari Warnakulasuriya, Ravin Kanishka, Lucian Bulathsinghala,Kalana Gunasekara, Sarath Kothalawela and Priyanka Samaraweera.
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