Yagunthaya (1985) User Reviews

End of an Era - 2

[devaka-jayasuriya-1 · 7/10 · 10 April 2008]

Yuganthaya is a 1983 Sri Lankan drama film directed by Lester James Peries; it was adapted from the novel Yuganthaya by Martin Wickramasinghe, and deals with the beginning of labor unions in Sri Lanka.

For the film, Lester won Sri Lanka's Presidential Award for best director. Simon Kabilana (Gamini Fonseka) is a powerful ruthless capitalist who uses terror to keep his workers under control and yield high production quotas. His son Malin (Richard De Zoysa) is the complete opposite, coming back from England idolizing Marx and Lenin, causing them to clash. Malin eventually gives up his fortunes in his father's company and works toward a confrontation with his father.

Devaka S. Jayasuriya St. Andrew's Lane Kadawatha

End of an Era !

[Devaka-Jayasuriya · 5/10 · 13 February 2006]

Yugaanthaya ( End of an era) is the final segment of the trilogy starts from Gamperaliya ( The change of the village ) is a depiction of the rise of capitalism . Also as the exploitation continues how an alternative is sought. Martin Wickramasinghe who wrote this novel had worked for Lake House the leading News paper publisher then owned by Mr. D.R. Wijewardene , the news paper baron of Ceylon . Wickramasinghe had worked under D.R. Wijewardene . Wijewardene's characteristics were greatly inspired and depicted in Sawiman Kabalana's role ( Gamini Fonseka) in this film as per Martin Wickramasinghe. The film was not very successful in shooting the protest campaigns of the socialist class . Malan Kabalana ( Richard De Soyza) who comes from London gives the leadership to the socialist class which is on the uprise due to severe exploitation . Script is not doing justice to the novel , as done in Lester's Baddegama. Gamini Fonseka's character is the only character that can be uniquely identifiable right within the film.

Devaka S. Jayasuriya 90, Old Kesbawa Rd. Nugegoda. S.L.