Global spotlight on Sri Lankan cinema – opportunity for better business?

15 October 2015 06:30 pm Views - 2848

Hollywood isn’t only about entertainment – neither is Bollywood. Both hold considerable power not only in forming and sustaining opinions but also in generating business opportunities not just for film studios and actors but also for hundreds of support services. Increasingly, as the world market place grows and connects with audiences throughout the world, global cinema has become a place where talent is recognized and fine film craft is feted and not always from Bollywood or Hollywood.With talented film-makers such as Prasanna Vithanage, Vimukthi Jayasundara and Asoka Handagama whose creations have found an artistic slot in the international film arena, it seems that Sri Lankan cinema has found its shine once again. There were many Sri Lankan films that had achieved global recognition before – I remember watching Martin Wickremesinghe’s trilogy, Gamperliya, Kaliyugaya and Yuganthaya on German TV many years ago. In fact, Kaliyugaya emerged a Directors Fortnight selection at the Cannes Film Festival in 1982. That was under the hand of maestro film-maker Lester James Peris; his equally talented film director wife Sumithra Peries – who can forget her Ganga Addara or Gehanu Lamai, classics we watched growing up – possesses her share of fame. Lester James Peris’ gifted cinematic masterpieces are too many to mention- Nidhanaya (The Treasure) won the Silver Lion of St. Mark Award at the Venice International Film Festival in 1972 and was also selected as one of the outstanding films of the year. It also was the recipient of a Diploma at the London Film Festival. For a while it had seemed that the glory days of Sinhala cinema may have subsided but the likes of Handagama, Vithanage and Jayasundara have succeeded in bringing it back into a mature and a global medium, capable of handling themes that go beyond the average cinematic predictability. They have opened doors to new opportunities and the possibility of seeing Sinhala cinema become a truly world-class medium for universal prospects.Increasingly, more and more Sinhala films are being screened at international film festivals than ever before. They are also winning accolades not only because they are from the exotic East but because they are able to harness stories that can capture an audience beyond just one country or a city.Which really should mean good business for Sri Lanka. Given the fact that our cinema has presented and dealt with forward thinking themes – directors such as Wasantha Obeysekera have focused on building strong female actors in formidable roles for years – we should be able to build on the strength of the films being made today to create and sustain a dynamic cinema industry.There are also women directors, in addition to Sumithra Peries, who share their laurels in the top ranks – Anoma Rajakaruna and Inoka Sathyagani among them. They do experiment with mediums in generating holistic cinema – presenting characters that can tell unique stories.


Female leads 
When talking of strong female leads, no other actor has won more acclaim that Swarna Mallawaarachchi, who has single-handedly portrayed the cause of strong female leads – in her typical, multi-faceted style of acting. Strong willed women who choose not to wilt in the face of injustice have been among some of the critically acclaimed portrayals –  etched in memory – that Swarna has made on screen. She single-handedly took the challenging task of emerging a strong character actor as a female at a time when most female roles were all about being the pretty heroine. She continues to remind us of her contribution to cinema in Sri Lanka; she is a regular jury member at some of the world’s most prestigious film festivals and still makes her presence felt in more ways than one.

Veteran Director Chandran Ratnam, who has worked long on Hollywood collaborations in Sri Lanka, from the days of Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford on location here at home (watching veteran actor D.R. Nanayakkara speaking in Sinhala in Indiana Jones was a rare treat) has succeeded in taking Sri Lankan cinema to Hollywood on a bigger scale than ever before. Even earlier than the Indiana Jones days, was the thrill of seeing the likes of Gregory Peck and Liz Taylor shooting movies in Ceylon. Exotic locations and friendly people had always been in our favour when it came to old world moviemaking. 

Cinema is indeed serious business for well, business. In today’s tech-driven culture when geography is not as important as it used to be, cinema presents opportunities that can cut through many other barriers. Audiences can engage with most characters today – thanks to research available at a mouse click online. Films themselves deal with themes that can vary in genre – it is no longer just slick entertainment but also a medium that makes strong statements, creating a stronger impact and generating much-needed awareness. Cinema can transcend agendas, connect with everyday people and present countries and communities incredible opportunities to bond with the world out there.

There are many other talented film-makers among us who can undoubtedly make cinematic creations that reach a global audience. The success of Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire and increasing Hollywood-Bollywood collaborations are proof that audiences are no longer tuned in to established, western themes alone. Undoubtedly there will be films that will propel Sri Lanka into the kind of success that can build and sustain a thriving industry.  
(Nayomini Weerasooriya, a senior journalist, writer and a PR professional, can be contacted at nayominiweerasooriya@gmail.com)