Cinematic ‘Rocket’ from Ratnapura Sivali College
View(s):- First Feature film production from a school to public screening
By Susitha Fernando
For the first time in Sri Lankan cinema history, a comprehensive feature film made by a cast and crew of school children, will be released on October 25.
‘Rocket’ is a cinematic venture by students of Sivali Central College in Ratnapura and it is presented by school’s ‘Sivali Swarna Haritha Cinema Society’. The film also marks the entrance of youngest filmmaker to Sri Lankan cinema Denuwan Samarasinghe. Denuwan is an A/ Level student from the College, who had sat for the examination in Arts stream in 2023 and awaiting the University entrance. Young Samarasinghe a bright student who had shown talents in acting, announcing, dancing and singing made a short film titled ‘Seya’ in 2022. The script for ‘Rocket’ is penned by Nandun Darshana and he also plays the lead role. Additionally Nandun also handles editing, dubbing, graphic designing and designing of the posters. A student of Kularatne Maha Vidyalaya in Godakawela, Nandun who sat for the Advanced Level examination in 2023 has been selected to enter the Aesthetic University.
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- Teacher Sakuntala Munasinghe
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- Nadun Darshana
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- Director Denuwan Samarasinghe
Revolving around a young schoolboy Nuwan Dunusinghe and nine friends around him, ‘Rocket’ takes the audience through an emotional yet suspenseful journey. According to the story Nuwan, a talented and bright student lives with his father after the untimely demise of his mother. He has a close bond with his father, who sacrificed his life to look after his only son. The young man with his friends is getting ready for a contest on new innovation and they plan to make a rocket. But unexpectedly Nuwan’s father is implicated to a crime which he has not committed and is remanded. Now Nuwan has a double challenge to get his father released and also win the competition to create new innovation. Would this young man be able to face the double challenge? Await ‘Rocket’ which is scheduled to be released in cinemas from October 25.
This massive production was made under the guidance of Ms. Sakuntala Munasinghe, the teacher in-charge of dancing, theatre and drama and the supervision of Principal Captain Neel Dhammika Wathukarawatte and the support from the entire school.
The cast includes Amila Thandakkara, Dadun Darshana, Chathuranga Erabadda, Lewhan Mahawatte, Upali Pitigala, Palitha Ranatunga, Ruwan Waduge, Pushpakumara Herath, Sakuntala Munasinghe, Vijitha Dela, Sahan Lal Kandewatte, Srimal Sanjaya, Nadeera Nadeeshan, Lahiru Weerasekara,Nadun Sudeera, Saduni Perera, Nirmi Mandakini, Sawan Tharusha, Sanjaya Kulathilake, Nihal Gallage and Captain Neil Dhammika Wathukarawatte.
The film also features a group of child stars including Sehash Kethmith, Sajaya Sathyangi and Dinura Dininitha.
Behind the screen camera by Rukshan Sanjaya, art direction Chandika de Silva, makeup and hair styles by Lewwandi Bimnara, choreography Nadeera Nedeeshan, still photography Rukshan Sanjaya, dress designing by Vishwani Anjana, colour mixing Poorna Lekamge, lighting by Nadun Sudeera and musical score by Chandeepa Pathirana. To the lyrics of Eranda Pushpakumara and melodies of Eranda Pushpakumara playback songs are sung by Miyuru Somaratne, Chanaka Nagoda, Kalara Aawini and Chamilka Gayathri. Executive producers are Amila Thilakaratne, Indrani Chandralatha and Nimal Gunaratne.
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