Dr Lester James Peries film festival

by Omar RAJARATHNAM

A film festival of seven evergreen movies by Dr. Lester James Peries has been organised to mark his 92nd birthday which falls on April 5. The festival will take place from April 5 to 12, from 10 am to 10 pm at the BMICH Bakmaha Shopping Festival, according to Director General, S.W.R.D Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation Bandula Ekanayake.

The festival has been organised to honour the internationally acclaimed veteran film director's contribution to Sri Lankan cinema over a period of 55 years.

"I am very optimistic about Sri Lankan cinema, I have always been so and I always will", Dr. Peries told the Sunday Observer.

"We have the finest talent; be it acting, scriptwriting, art directing or directing. We must ensure that we make the most of these aspiring youngsters who are bursting with potential. Movie making has become a costly industry these days and financial constraints always hinder the production of a movie", he said.

Born on April 5, 1919, Dr. Peries' debut movie was Rekava (Line of destiny) which was the first Sinhala movie to be shot entirely in Sri Lanka. Some of his other successful directorial credits are Gamperaliya, Golu Hadawatha, Nidhanaya, Madol Duwa, Kaliyugaya, Yuganthaya and Ammawarune which was released in 2006.