Arts

Teenage romance in modern milieu

Nildiya Yahana (Deep Blue Sleep):

by Indeewara Thilakarathne and Ranga Chandrarathne

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Nildiya Yahana (Deep blue sleep), the debut film by Dayaratne Ratagedara will soon be shown at local cinemas.

The story revolves around teenage romance between Shanuka (Saranga Disasekara) and Shehara (Chaturika Pieris). Shanuka is the only son of an investigative journalist in a national newspaper while Shehara is the only daughter of a multi millionaire businessman who was engaged in drug trafficking.Being bright students, Shehara and Shanuka know that they would get through the advanced level examination with flying colours and would duly enter the University on a bio-science stream. However, Shehara only enters the Faculty of Medicine.

The story takes a tragic twist with Shehara's father who is determined to break the love affair, had used thugs at his disposal to silence Shanuka.

The sinister conspiracy is hatched by Shehara's brother (Roshan Pilapitiya) who follows his father's footsteps. As earlier promised Shanuka visits Shehara in the night. The film ends with a mysterious note of uniting the lovers.

Although the flesh and blood of the film Nildiya Yahana is the teenage romance, the film maker tries to highlight several social issues such as drug trafficking, nexus between politician and the racketeers and alone social crusaders like Shanuka's father, an investigative journalist who cast a nest over racketeers. Within a limited space, the film explores the inherent constrains in the life of an idealistic investigative reporter and equally supportive and upright Editor-in-Chief who encourages the journalists to engage in such missions. The authorities take little or no action against racketeers and drug traffickers despite the fact that such rackets were revealed in the media.

As the maiden film, director Dayaratne Ratagedara was, somewhat, successful in the novel medium of cinema. However, he has failed on many accounts to exploit the properties of the medium of film. For instance, the sheer depth of the medium has not been exploited and the script has also not developed to suit the medium. It is obvious that none of the characters has been evolved so as to make them realistic characters. Even the characters of Shehara and Shanuka have not been evolved to their logical conclusion.

Emotional breakdown of Shehara is manifested through the other characters rather than through her change of behaviours. Shanuka's father's reaction to his disappearance is illogical given his political and professional background. It seems that the investigative journalist has not make genuine attempt to find out about his disappeared son. Abduction of Shanuka from an internet cafe with little resistance, Shehara's brother's impersonation in the chat room and x-files like ending are some of the scenes which are unrealistic. However, it should be stated here that the credit for an unusual plot and ending should go to the director. Shortcomings in cinematography together with defects in the reel have made it difficult for the viewers to enjoy otherwise beautiful and breathtaking scenery.

It seems that the filmmaker has apparently failed to distinguish inherent properties of television and the medium of film. Cinematography and camera are also not commendable though there are memorable scenes. In terms of portraying characters, some of the actors failed to do justice to their allotted characters. For instance Sananth Gunatilaka as the politician has not been able to portray that character realistically and to the satisfaction of the audience. Chaturika Peries and Saranga Disasekara have not lived up to the ideals. However, Saranga Disasekara has proved his metal in cinema and has potentials to develop himself as an actor. It should be stated here that Ratagedara has not done the casting well. For example, the lead couple are not matching in terms of their appearance.

However, Nildiya Yahana is superior to contemporary failures such as much publicized epic blunders in celluloid. Though the film maker has developed the story of a teenage romance with sacrificial elements, he has failed to evolve the story convincingly. What apparently the film maker wanted to convince the audience was that strong bond of love is eternal which transcends life. The Director's success in developing a storyline should be a plus point which is absent in many movies including the recently launched Aba.

Dilan, star performer

Deputy Minister of Justice Dilan Perera who made his cinematic debut with Nildiya Yahana has proved his metal as a good actor both on the political stage and on the silver screen. He has portrayed the role of the teacher brilliantly, though it is not a lead role. Dilan Perera showed without exaggeration that he is a natural actor who has enormous potentials and career in cinema. The other actors who performed well include Chandani Senevirathne, Tony Ranasinghe, Damayanthi Fonseka and Daya Alwis. Though Damayanthi Fonseka portrayed her character brilliantly, the realistic aspects of the character is somewhat hampered by poor make up and costume design. Damayanthi seems too old to be the sister of Shehara. Lyrics and music scores have not been well integrated into the film. Costume design is also not impressive.

Film Nildiya Yahana offers a pipe of happiness and evokes glamour and warmth of teenage love and would poise to be a commercial success at a time when the scene of artistic film is dominated by much publicised howlers which have been imposed on the audience.

Dayaratna Ratagedara should have been more particular about casting and cinematography given that it would lessen aesthetic properties of the work.

At most of the times, the camera disturbs the zest despite the director's selection of beautiful sceneries and locations.

As a whole Nildiya Yahana (Deep Blue Sleep) not only marks the entry of Dayaratne Ratagedara into cinema but also sets a new trend in commercial films which have been confined to cheap fantasies with overdose of sex and violence.

'Neth Andi Siththam'

Prasanna Upali

My solo exhibition of Prasanna Upali will be held at Lionel Wendt Art Gallery today. This exhibition has a speciality in depicting various actions of the villager.

A member of the "Art Society" of Sri Lanka is his 5th solo art exhibition 'Neth Andi Siththam'.

An old boy of Nimala Maria Maha Vidyalaya, at Bolawalana, I started liking art, sculpture and riggifoam carving from my very young age upto now.

I have held several solo exhibitions. This one "Neth Andi Siththam" is my 5th.

I have made about 40 (Forty) very attractive paintings to be exhibited.

For every one of them the medium is oil on canvas.

Art is a silent but educating process. The artist always tries to put forward an idea invariably a new idea through a painting. People who have seen my paintings, educated as well as ordinary have always discussed about my paintings.

My paintings would be exhibited daily at the Hilton Hotel, Colombo and Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo.

I would like to a pay my special respects to Kalasuri Senaka Senanayake for giving me this glorious opportunity.

Needle-N-Thread Creations

5th Exhibition:

The students of Needle-N-Thread Creations presents its 5th Exhibition putting out their imaginative skills together to bring out this exhibition. The exhibition will be on December 6 and 7 from 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. on both days at the J.R. Jayawardene Cultural Centre, Town Hall, Colombo.

Ms. Astrid Fernando, the Principal, her daughter Anushka Fernando and the students of Ms. Fernando are the creative minds behind this entire show that represents unique formations of sewing and craft collections.Having started her career in a very simple way, today Ms. Astrid Fernando has become a significant figure in this field, and now she is ready to share her latest creatives such as Filet lace, Teneriffe lace, Needle Tating and more crafts at this exhibition.Ms. Astrid Fernando is a familiar face on many TV programs and has been featured in many newspapers.Following in her mother's footsteps, Astrid Fernando's daughter Anushka has also started her career in the same field.

An exclusive collection of craftbooks and tools will be displayed at reasonable prices at the exhibition.