  Popular film star Sanath Gunatileke's maiden direction Ekamath Eka
Rateka (Once Upon a Time) will be released soon in CEL circuit cinemas.
The trailers of the movie are already being aired and arousing much
curiosity.
The cast is led by Nirosha Perera backed by Sanath Gunatileke, Roshan
Ravindra, Chandani Seneviratne, Semani Iddamalgoda, Kumara Thirimadura,
Lioni Kothalawala, Nilmini Buwenaka, Himali Saurangi, Chandana Silva,
Thanuja Dilhani, Duminda Weerawardhana and others.
Ekamath Eka Rateka is based upon Emile Zola's short story Pour Une
Nuit d'Amour (For a Night of Love). Sanath who had named the lead
characters as `unknown man', `unknown girl' and
'unknown boy' said that the story is universal.
"It would have taken place or could happen at any place, in any
country, at any time to any human being. Zola understood the reality
of the human life and mind. The human mind is inconsistent and
ephemeral, nothing is enduring or permanent which is the reality of this
story," he said.
 The foundation of the project was formed when renowned teledrama
director Sudath Rohana brought the Zola's story to Gunatileke's notice.
The complexity of the plot and its characters fascinated
Gunatileke and he was eager to see the concept on the screen.
As Rohana's project never took off Gunatileke decided to base his first
directorial venture on the thought provoking tale.
 The first step was to find the original French version of the story
composed by Zola. Here he was aided by Juliette Donadieu according to
the former Cultural Chancellor of the French Embassy in
Sri Lanka, at Corporeau's request. After a tiresome research the team
had
Zola's collection of short stories Nans Suivi de Pour Une Nuit
d'Amour (Nans, followed by For A Night of Love), Senior lecturer in
French at the University of Kelaniya, Niroshini Gunasekera who had
clinched the Prashastha Award in 2004 for her translation of Barrage
Contre le Pacifique, translated Pour Une Nuit d'Amour and Gunatileke was
able to compose the final script of his movie.
This is his second movie
script, the first being for Prasanna Vithanage's award winning creation
Sisila Gini Gani (Ice on Fire). Interestingly Sanath's maiden movie
direction also included Maestro Premasiri Kemadasa's last music
direction for a movie.
Gunatileke together with Kemadasa had recorded
the haunting flute music which captures the heroine of the movie before
the shooting sessions."The background music gave a special meaning to
the characters. Though he was not well, he did his bit with great
enthusiasm. His advice and contribution was a great encouragement to me.
My only regret is that he was not able to be with us to see the final
product," Gunatileke expressed with a hint of sadness.
  Damitha Abeyratne, Mahinda Silva and Kanchana Kodithuwakku make
special appearances on the movie with Tony Ranasinghe included in the
guest cast. The Production Manager is Vikum Jayasooriya, Art Direction
Supervisor Errel Kelly, Art Director Welegedara Ranasinghe, Make up
Artist Imal Shanaka Peiris and Editing Supervisor Ravindra Guruge.
Ranjith Prasanna and Chiranjeewa Perera are the Assistant Directors. It
is edited by Ajith Ramanayake while Kalinga Gihan Perera handles the
audio sector. The camera and light are by Lal Wickramarathne.The movie's
website www.onceuponamovie.com was launched last year. Ceylinco Internet
Services Limited designed and developed the
website. Ekamath Eka Rateka is produced by Janaka Ramanayake.
- Ruwini |
