Sri Lankan Film Fest in China

The Sri lankan deligation to China, led by veteran actor Ravindra Randeniya included Sanath Gunathilaka,Sumitra Peries,Vasantha Obeysekara, Bennett Rathnayake, Damitha Abeyratne, and Justin Belagamage.

Sanath Gunatilake’s memorable visits to Cairo and Goa

Sanath Gunatilake, having participated in the prestigious 33rd Cairo International Film Festival as well as the 40th International Film Festival of India in Goa in the latter part of 2009, considers it an invaluable experience in view of the outstanding nature of these Film festivals. Unlike his previous visits to international film festivals, on this occasion he had the pleasure of participating as a Director, with his maiden film ‘Ekamath Eka Rateka’. The audience that viewed his movie in Cairo was largely European and Arab while at Goa it composed mainly of Indians originating from various branches of the Indian Film Industry. He was astonished at the predominantly young nature of the audiences.

According to Sanath, an inspiring aspect of the Cairo Festival was the large number of youth specializing in films and related fields in the Universities. Most of the films highly appreciated at the festival were from extremely young directors, which added an extra zest to the glitz and glamour of the event.

Sanath’s maiden film ‘Ekamath Eka Rateka’ which has a unique flavor to it mainly due to it being an Asian film based on a French short story by Emile Zola – a French novelist and critic, was well received at the Cairo Film Festival and was selected for screening at the ‘Festival of Festivals’ which presents some of the most outstanding entries to the Film Festival. It was a remarkable feature that while directing the film he also played one of the leading roles in it, thus receiving much feed back centered around his skillful management of the cast. The audience commended Sanath Gunatilake on the finer technicalities of the movie, and appreciated the talent displayed by the lead actress who was mistaken to be French by some of the journalists. Considering Sanath Gunatilake’s long career in the local film industry spanning over three decades, he was invited to participate in a series of discussions during the festival, which addressed the problems impeding the growth of the film industry especially in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, and the issues of cutting costs and the feasibility of switching to digital technology.

These visits to Cairo and Goa have also provided him with an invaluable exposure to the global film industry and an opportunity to gather much information and understanding through the acquaintance of world famous personalities. He considers himself fortunate to have met with Hollywood Mega Stars like Lucy Liu and Samuel L. Jackson as well as the renowned British actor Sir Ben Kingsley. Having engaged in conversation with Samuel L Jackson and Lucy Liu and sharing their wide experiences, Sanath recalls Jackson despite his Hollywood reputation, to be a very simple man while Lucy seems to take great delight in humanitarian activities.

At the Film Festival in Goa, Sanath Gunatilake met his role model once again - the well-known Sir Ben Kingsley who won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in the film “Gandhi”. He was visiting India to assemble a cast and raise funds for his latest initiative ‘Taj’. Sanath Gunatilake was greatly inspired by his amazing performance in the film ‘Gandhi’ and the hard work and dedication that had made it possible. Thereafter, he watched many of Ben Kingley’s movies where he portrayed diverse roles successfully, which prompted Sanath Gunatilake himself to seek diversity in the characters he portrayed.

Sanath Gunatilake whose heart and soul lie in the local film industry, is confident that with the introduction of Sri Lankan films to the global arena, and the keen interest shown by certain foreign film-makers in the local talent and scenery, the Sri Lankan film industry will soon gain recognition and find its place in the international scenario.

International Premier at Cairo International Film Festival

Sanath Gunatilake left the country today morning to Egypt with his maiden direction, EKAMATH EKA RATEKA to take part in the selection Festival of Festivals at the 33rd Cairo International Film Festival which will held from 10 to 20 November.

The Cairo International Film Festival is classified as a category “A” festival as recognized by the FIAPF, it is undoubtedly the oldest and most important festival in the Middle East. This year the Cairo International Film Festival will acknowledge its honoured tradition and welcome the new generation of brilliant filmmakers from India by honouring Indian Cinema.

Sanath Gunatilake has already attend to the Cairo International film festival with the film Devini Gamana ( 1982) directed by late HD Premarathna. During his first visit to Cairo he met Omar Sherif who was the chief guest of the Cairo International Film Festival. Sanath’s second participation in Cairo marks in 1999 with the film Duwata Mawaka Misa. Sanath says that its is a coincidence that the Cairo International Film Festival is the first international film festival that he participated as an actor and today as a director also this is the first film festival which he is attending. Daily News is waiting for his arrival to share his novel experience at the film festival as an director.

Special screenings

The film was screened will be screened from 23rd to 29th of October 2009 at Lido cinema, Borella at 7PM as there were many request from the viewers.

The film was also screened in Katunayake Airforce as a tribute to the war heroes who made Sri Lanka’s dream of liberating the country from the clutches of terrorism a reality after eliminating terrorism from the soil of Sri Lanka. A large number of pilots participated and films has received a good feedback.

Launch of the screenplay of the film

Veteran actor Sanath Gunatilake launched the screenplay of his maiden direction EKAMATH EKA RATEKA (Once upon a time) on September 19 to coincide with the International Book Fair and Exhibition at BMICH. The script penned by Sanath Gunatilake is a Sarasaviya publication and this is his second screenplay. The film is now showing in cinemas closer to the village and it marked 100 days recently.

Seminars on Film

A seminar organised by the Association Sri Lankaise des Anciens Etudiants en France on the movie, Ekamath Eka Rateka was held at the Mahaweli Center Auditorium on August 25 at 3.30 PM. Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya Professor Sarath Amunugama chaired the discussion . Professor Chandrasiri Palliyaguru and Professor Kusuma Karunathna addressed the audience.

Another seminar initiated by Dr. Aruna Munasinghe was organised on 9th of September in Matara. Doctors, lawyers were also among the audience. Another seminar is to be held in Badarawela. Sanath Gunatilake says that he participates all these seminars at his level best because it will be an good encouragement to a debut , blooming directors in the film industry and hope it will continue from generation to generation.

Marking the 75th day

A simple ceremony was held at Regal cinema Colombo last Thursday to mark the 75th day of Sanath Gunathilaka’s maiden directorial venture ‘Ekamath Eka Rateka’.