devaka-jayasuriya-1 Reviews

Delowak Athara (1966)

Between Two Worlds

[8/10 · 11 April 2008]

Delovak Athara (Sinhala, Between Two Worlds) is a Sri Lankan drama film directed by Lester James Peries. The film stars Tony Ranasinghe as Nissanka, the son of a newly rich industrialist, who becomes embroiled in a murder cover-up.

Peries developed the movie as a character study utilizing a single incident to provide insight into the newly rich society of Sri Lanka in the time period. It proved to be his most successful film up to that time surpassing Gamperaliya in box office earnings. It was also a critical success winning praise from Sinhala critics like Philip Cooray and making the rounds at European film festivals. At the onset of the film, Nissanka (Tony Ranasinghe) is engaged to marry Shiranee (Jeevarani Kurukulasuriya), a woman of the same social class.

Nissanka decides to go to a club and asks Shiranee who politely declines. He thus goes alone and meets an old friend Chitra (Suwineetha Abeysekera). They rekindle their friendship and Nissanka offers a ride home. Chitra agrees and they set off only to accidentally hit and kill a pedestrian. The two now have a large secret as they flee the scene.

Nissanka's family subsequently attempts to cover up the murder. Chitra is faced with a moral dilemma but doesn't give Nissanka up the police. She urges him to turn himself in. After mounting tensions, Nissanka decides to turn himself in and the film concludes with him heading to the station.

Devaka Jayasuriya #49 , St. Andrew's Mawatha Kadawatha Sri Lanka

Silence of the Heart (1969)

Silent Heart

[10 April 2008]

Golu Hadawatha (Translation: Silent Heart) was a popular 1969 Sinhalese language romance film directed by maestro Lester James Peiris. The film stars Wickrema Bogoda and Anula Karunathilake in the lead roles. Based on a novel by Karunasena Jayalath, its screenplay was written by Regi Siriwardena. Music was by Premasiri Khemadasa. Indrani Wijebandara and Sisira Senaratne duo sang the duet "Aadarei mama Aadarei - Dhammi Thavamath Aadarei, Sugath Thavamath Aadarei", in which, the words were composed by Karunasena Jayalath.

Damayanthi Kariyawasam (Dhammi) (Anula Karunathilake) is a mischievous school girl. Sugath Weerasekara (Wickrema Bogoda) is a shy and introverted boy, who is new to the school. He is quiet and talented in studying. Dhammi is immediately attracted with this behavior and both become friends, which eventually grows in to a special relationship.

Sugath, who has lost his parents when he was very small, has a brother, who studies at university. He talks about his relationship with Dhammi, with his brother, Sarath (Wijeratne Warakagoda) as well.

But, the day they have their final exam, Dhammi tells Sugath that she only loved Sugath as a brother and not to keep any further hopes about her.

Sugath is heartbroken and comes home to meet Sarath. In the meantime, he passes his exams with flying colors and Sarath also marries Champa (Sriyani Amarasena), who is willing to accept Sugath, as her own brother.

But, Sugath who is unable to forget Dhammi, keeps thinking about her and gets in to drinking. He also loses his job as a teacher and sadly departs from home.

One day, Dhammi comes to meet Sugath and reveals the secret for her sudden change. She states that her marriage with her cousin, Nihal was arranged by their fathers, when they were small. She tells him that she still loved Sugath, knowing that she would never have the chance to become his. She begs for forgiveness from him for playing with his feelings and asks him to change for her sake, and to return home.

Sugath accepts and at the end of the film, returns to his brother's home, where he is warmly welcomed by Sarath and Champa.

Devaka - Kadawatha Sri Lanka

Mansion by the Lake (2002)

Mansion is not by the Lake !

[10 April 2008]

Wekande Walauwa (Mansion by the Lake) is a 2002 award winning Sinhalese language film directed by Lester James Peries that follows the lives of wealthy people in Sri Lanka. As per the film director the story is inspired by Anton Chekov's play The Cherry Orchard adapted to a Sri Lankan family context. It is clearly visible that the lake and the mansion are not adjacent or conterminous, though the name of the film is Mansion by the lake . Paboda Sandeepani as Aruni is showing lot of potential . Film was shown for one week at the Empire Cinema before the release date. Devaka S. Jayasuriya - St. Andrew's Lane Kadawatha Sri Lanka

Yagunthaya (1985)

End of an Era - 2

[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

Madol Duwa (1976)

A Film for Youth !

[8/10 · 10 April 2008]

Mangrove Island . A Film Directed by Film Maestro Lester James Peiris . Main actor is Ajith Jinadasa who plays the role of Upali Giniwella, a young rebellious youth who travels to a small island to get away from the restrictive society around him.

The film is based on Martin Wickremasinghe's famous novel. It was a commercial success. Upali Giniwella (Ajith Jinadasa) is resentful of his new stepmother (Somalatha Subasinghe) and lashes out by committing harmless acts of mischief around the village. For this Upali is sent to a boarding school where he bonds with the headmaster (Joe Abeywickrema). He once again gets into trouble however and is returned home when a new headmaster installed.

Upali is punished by his father back home. He becomes more resentful and takes off with his servant boy Jinna (Padmasena Athukorala) to the island dubbed Madol Duwa. After some adventures there, Upali is found by a friend of his father. Upali learns that his father is sick and returns home to ask for forgiveness.

The Music is composed by Pandit W.D. Amaradeva and edited by Ms. Sumithra Peiris & Gladwin Fernando . The Filmography of Dr. Lester James Peiris as follows.

Amma Warune (An Elegy for a Mother, 2007) Wekande Walauwa (Mansion by the Lake, 2002) Awaragira (The Sunset, 1995) Yuganthaya (The Changing Village Part 3, 1983) Kaliyugaya (The Time of Kali - The Changing Village Part 2, 1982) Baddegama (Village in the jungle, 1980) Veera Puran Appu (Rebellion, 1979) Pinhami (1979) Ahasin Polawata (White Flowers for the Dead, 1978) Madol Duwa (Enchanted Island, 1976) The God King (1975) Desa Nisa (The Eyes, 1972) Nidhanaya (The Treasure, 1970) Akkara Paha (Five Acres of Land, 1969) Golu Hadawatha (Cold Heart, 1968) Ran Salu (The Yellow Robe, 1967) Delovak Athara (Between Two Worlds, 1966) Gamperaliya (The Changing Village Part 1, 1964) Sandesaya (The Message, 1960) Rekava (Line of Destiny, 1956)

The God King (1974)

The God King

[7/10 · 10 April 2008]

The God King is a 1975 Sri Lankan historical film directed by Lester James Peries. The film is based on the historical clash between brothers Kasyapa and Moggalana on Sigiriya Rock.

Jewish producer Dimitri Grunwald financed the epic film as a dual project between England and Sri Lanka. He provided the three main actors, the script, the assistant director, the production Manager, makeup artist and money while the task of making the film was given to the Sri Lankans King Kasyapa (Leigh Lawson) is the son of King Dhatusena (Geoffrey Russell). Kasyapa murdered his father by walling him alive and then usurping the throne which rightfully belonged to his brother Mogallana (Ravindra Randeniya), Dhatusena's son by the true queen. Mogallana fled to India to escape being assassinated by Kasyapa but vowed revenge. In India he raised an army with the intention of returning and retaking the throne of Sri Lanka which was rightfully his. Knowing the inevitable return of Mogallana, Kasyapa is said to have built his palace on the summit of Sigiriya as a fortress and pleasure palace.

Mogallana finally arrived and declared war. During the battle Kasyapa's armies abandoned him and he committed suicide by falling on his sword. Nimal Medis involves here as one of the two Music composers . The other composer is Lawrence Ashmore. Devaka S. Jayasuriya - Kadawatha Sri Lanka