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Given the heap of collective weaknesses inherited by Sri Lankan cinema, `Once upon a time', Sanath Goonatilake's maiden directorial venture, has become an above average commercial film with its traditional ingredients such as love, hatred and tragedy. Compared with cheap fantasies such as Aba, `Once upon a time' has set a healthy trend in commercial cinema in which, at least, the director attempts to treat the subject matter of the work in an artistic manner. The film would have been a more meaningful experience for the audience if the director had exploited Emile Zola's short story which provided the material for the film, to the maximum, translating it into a cinematic verse. It is the tragedy of the man which should have been explored instead of him becoming the but-end of ridicule.

The film commences in a pan which moves from left to right capturing the image of an old mansion in the hill country. A boy and a girl play in the green in front of the mansion. The backdrop of the film seems to be in the nineteenth century. Then the frames move from flashback to the present.

The boy, who is the son of the governess of the mansion, has now become a lawyer while the girl, the only heiress of the mansion, has become an accomplished beautiful maiden. In a scheme hatched by the Governess, the boy is commissioned to give piano lessons to the maiden. Eventually they became passionate lovers. Meanwhile a lonely office worker with no relations of his own harbours a secret longing for the girl. Following a series of events, the story ends in tragedy.

Sanath Goonatilaka's maiden directorial venture should be commended for it has been able to surpass aesthetic quality of mega-budgeted `epic films' such as Aba. Compared to Aba Sanath has been able to narrate a striking story though in a superficial manner. Especially given its intimate depiction of love between the boy (Roshan Ravindra) and the girl (Nirosha Perera), `Once upon a time' is poised to be a commercial success.It has also surpassed many commercial films in terms of selection of material for the film. However, Sanath Goonatilake could not escape from heap of weaknesses inherent to Sri Lankan art in general and cinema in particular.

Opting to take up the lead role which is that of the office worker, Sanath has failed to derive the profound human tragedy in the character. Due to a series of weaknesses on the part of camera, laying of music and the poor syntax of the visuals, the director has failed to exploit the very dramatic quality of otherwise brilliant plot.

For instance, even the logical evolution of love between the boy and the girl has not been achieved. Dr. Premasiri Khemadasa's music has not been integrated into the visual narration. In an ideal scenario, the music scores should be integrated into the very soul of the film so as they become an auditory character. Since the lighting, grammar of visuals together with the very tempo of acting have not been synchronised which is a part of the baggage of inherent weaknesses that Sanath has to carry on, the intensification of zest; moods such as sadness and melancholy seems rather artificial. Like on many aspects, the film is very weak in the composing of music. In fact, the laying of music scores have not been integrated into the very soul of the film. It is felt throughout the film that music scores would not emanate from the visuals instead they run in parallel or at a superficial level. It is pity that Sri Lankan film makers have failed to learn from films like "Nidhanaya" and "Golu Hadawatha" or "Delovak Athara". Though music scores were impressive, they have not been integrated into the narration. It is the defects in the direction and cinematography which rendered music scores irrelevant.

Music

Sri Lankan cinema has not explored immense potentials of music. It has been reduced to mere laying of music scores. The music does not emanate from the visuals. This weakness is also evident in this film. For instance, when the lonely office worker plays a flute, the melancholy tone of the tune should have been a defining characteristic of that personality. In fact, he expresses himself through the flute. "The Kreutzer Sonata", a novella published in 1889 by Leo Tolstoy based on the Beethoven's piece is an example of how people can be led astray by their unruly passions.

However, when it comes to cinema, music should become a powerful force of expression. In a broader perspective, a film can be a symphony. Three Colours Trilogy (Blue/White/Red-1994) of Krzysztof Kieslowski can be cited as examples. `Once upon a time' has also failed to grasp the tempo of the short story. The reporting-style narration in the film can also be seen in music. For instance, music scores have been integrated in films like "Nidhanaya", "Golu Hadawatha", "Para Dige" and even in "Rekhawa" in addition to absorbing heart-beat of life in Sri Lanka and the rhythm of our soil. They were equally earned universal admiration for their rich aesthetic quality and the language of cinema.

Pivotal character

One of the weaknesses in terms of characterisation is that the director has not identified the very nature of the roles. For instance, Sanath Goonatilaka is, in fact, not suitable for the character of a lonely office worker. Portrayal of the character not as complex personality, who leads a miserable life evoking pity and sympathy of the audience but as a hilarious character from the very first frame, is a failure on the part of the director. Music expression in the character especially in the flute music should be an emotion-studded piece encapsulating pure nature of love.

None of the characters in the film has been evolved. It is obvious that the central character of the film is the lonely office worker and the other characters are to reflect on diverse aspects of his character. Chandani Senevirathne, who played the role of the Governess, excelled in the portrayal of the character. Roshan Ravindra has also played his allotted role well. The main actress (Nirosha Perera) though could not express subtle nuances, she has done justice to the role to a certain extent.

Semini Iddamalgoda as a wife of the family is a complete failure. Even as an old lady, she looks like a young woman. Though the make up artist, also has to share the blame, principally Semini has failed to portray the character.

Selection of actors and actresses and specially a person with a suitable figure for a character is as important as the personality of the actor or actress. For instance, Ashoka Handagama's selection of an actress for the role of lady magistrate in the film `Aksharaya' can be cited as an example for casting persons with suitable figures. Pans in the film were used rather awkwardly rendering absolutely no meaning to the visual narration or cinematography. However, in Sumithra Peries' film`Yahaluwo', pans were used profitably to intensify the zest and to highlight another perspective of the storyline.

When a critic shows defects in a film, it is not the intention of the critic to bring the film maker or his creation into disrepute. For instance, thousands of awards could not light up the poor texture in the tele-drama Karuwala Gedara due to it being flatly under-lit. We are unfortunate as a nation not to recognise wide ranging character brilliantly portrayed by Wasanthi Chaturani in the tele-drama Sathgunakaraya yet. In a highly politicised culture, critics have been threatened, sometimes, with death and unleashed armed goons upon them. Depriving nation of a healthy culture of criticism where critics like Reggie Siriwardene, Benedict Dodampegama, Gamini Hathtthotuwegama, Jayawilal Wilegoda, A. J. Gunawardene and Ajith Samaranayake flourished leading to the production of films such as "Gamperaliya" which has rated second in popularity in France, Mecca of film industry. Unfortunately, that rich culture of criticism does not prevail instead film makers, actors and actresses have become re-active without being creative and being imbibed in cronyism where favourites' works are praised to the moon.

Since Sanath's attempt is commendable and was able to come out with an above average film based on celebrated short story, it is hoped that he should immediately commence work on his next film looking back on "Once upon a Time" from a positive perspective. Although the director intended to include Buddhist philosophical outlook on life as a sub-text in the film, his attempt has not been fruitful as in Ketan Mehth's 'Colours of Passion 'based on the life of 19th century controversial artist Raja Ravi Varma. This film should be on the must-watch list of the audience as it stands out among the forced- to- watch monumental cinematic blunders.

Raigam Tele drama judges felicitated

The organisers of the `Raigam Tele Awards’ felicitated the panel of judges and award winning artistes at a ceremony in Colombo on Tuesday. from (L to R) Finance Director Prashantha Nanayakkara, MD, Ganaka Amarasinghe, Chairman Dr. Ravi Liyanage, Chairman of the Panel of Judges Dr. Patrick Rathnayake and Deputy Chairman Kishan Theodore. (Pix. by Wimal Karunathillaka)

Awards' - 2008 ceremony at the BMICH on May 15, held a get-together in Colombo last Thursday to felicitate the panel of judges who adjudged the best teledrama of the year and the award winners.

Dr. Patrick Ratnayake, Dr. Ajantha Hapuarachchi, Mrs. Jayantha Siriwardana, Chandrasiri Bogamuwa and Visharada Edward Jayakody were the members of the panel. The organisers, Raigam Marketing Services (RMS) also invited the artistes, musicians and technicians who were awarded at the Tele Awards Ceremony on May 15, held under the patronage of Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayake.

Speaking on the occasion, RMS, Chairman Dr. Ravi Liyanage highlighted the difficulties faced by them when organising such a huge ceremony and thanked the panel of judges for their invaluable contribution by watching all teledramas, telecast on television channels during the year 2008 to select the best teledrama and the winning artistes including directors, actors, actresses, producers and technicians.

RMS, Managing Director Ganaka Amarasinghe mentioned touching on next year's sixth Tele Awards Ceremony said that the organising committee has decided during the month of March and present more awards in order to encourage many more artistes.

He also specially thanked to the best tele drama actor of the year Janak Premalal and actress Nilmini Tennekoon for their performances in `Karuwala Gedara' and `Handawa' teledramas.

Thailand donates a magnificent Golden Buddha statue

Thailand has gifted a fourteen feet high golden Buddha statue to Nagarukkarama, Kotikawatta in response to a request made by Ven. Saddharma Keerthi Shree Badulle Mahanama Thera recently.

The statue will be unveiled on June 6, followed by the reposition of relics from 7, 8 and 9 June.

The valuable statue which depicts the image of `subduing Mara' is claimed to be a mix of Ghandarwa and Thai cultures.The statue belonged to Ven. Phrakrasamu Jirayu Atchichanto, Mahanayaka Thera.

Arts

A silver line in the arena of commercial films

Music

Pivotal character

Raigam Tele drama judges felicitated

Thailand donates a magnificent Golden Buddha statue