EU presents cinema feast

FEAST: Something that gives unusual or abundant pleasure

(Dictionary Definition)

For long decades, Sri Lanka's cinematic loneliness had been substantially consoled by foreign embassies, High Commissions and the cultural centres associated with some of them. In an earlier era, there was a profusion of film events organised by them, enabling the cinema enthusiasts of Sri Lanka to relish, what went on in the main stream of global cinema.

USIS, Goethe Institute British Council, Indian Cultural Centre - to name only a few - organised seminars, discussions, public lectures etc., relating to cinema issues, over and above their regular film shows.

As things are, those wider-scoped cinema activities, seem to have gradually tapered off, leaving behind only routine film-screenings, in most instances.

We can recall with a tinge of nostalgia, those expansive days, when opportunities were frequently available to film enthusiasts to get together to view and 'talk' cinema.

Some highlights stand out vividly. An Oberhausen Retrospective, brought film-lovers into a remarkable screening of short-films, expanding their awareness of the progress of this genre.

India's great film-maker Saji Karun addressed a crowded seminar in Colombo. The works of German Director Herzog were seen and discussed at a meeting sponsored by the Goethe Institut.

Film Festivals were organised by various embassies and High Commissions, almost as a matter of course. These cinema occasions, became an important event in the cultural diary of film enthusiasts at least in an around Colombo.

A scene from Glorious 39

This wholesome stream of cinematic entertainment, suddenly dried up, reducing it to a stray trickle. Those enthusiasts who were keen to keep track of the emerging trends in global cinema, experienced an increasing sense of isolation, as the options available were not quite adequate.

The regular European Film Festivals, have stepped in to fill this hiatus.

Each time around, the European Film Festival regales and enriches Sri Lankan Film-goers, offering them some of the best things that have happened in the field of European cinema. At one of the recent EU film festivals the restored version of Lester James Peries' "Gamperaliya" was presented as an unforgettable gift to the whole Sri Lankan nation.

The current European Film Festival, upholds this sumptuous tradition, by presenting a stunning array of films from the European Region. While all the films are shown free, the organisers have made an arrangement to ensure greater accessibility. The films are shown simultaneously at three Colombo venues - Namel Malini Punchi Theatre, British Council and Goethe Institut.

The inaugural film-event at the opening of the latest European Festival, was the screening of "Glorious 39".

From the opening scene itself, the film-goer is swept along by its disciplined pace and rhythm.

The viewer experiences being helplessly absorbed in the swirling vortex of events as they rush along towards devastatingly unexpected developments, that the central character is painfully caught up in.

Director Stephen Poliakoff, wields irony as the keen instalment to lay bare, the shocking, realities lurking beneath the elitist, ultra-sophisticated surface of the social stratum he focuses upon.

The title "Glorious 39", conjures up the euphoric mood that pervaded Britain in the "Inter du guerre" period. The brolly - armed image of Neville Chamberlain, ensuring "peace in over time," provided the maintain of happiness, that dominated life at the time. Anne, the perfect embodiment of the joie de vivre of those carefree times, provides over her stably home, immersing deeply in her work as actress.

The chance discovery of documents, makes her confront the tragic denouement of the drama of her own life. She enters into a dismal work of dark plots, violence, conspiracies and intense cruelty.

The story progresses (or deteriorates) tying up the psyche of the viewer in intricate knots, nudging him towards the experiencing of a new kind of genre the psycho - thriller.

The cinematic format resorted to by Director Stephen Poliakoff, takes along the viewer into an overwhelming finale.

"Glorious 39", gives us an inkling of the deepening of the film - sense of Sri Lankan viewer, that is possible through an exposure to these fresh (from our point of view, that is) areas of film making. Our gratitude to the EU Film Festival organisers, is invariably an extension of similar sentiments towards all those foreign embassies and cultural centres that continue to lead Sri Lanka film enthusiasts, towards areas of advanced cinema culture.

The inauguration of the EU Film Festival, was prefaced by several addresses. Minister of Media Keheliya Rambukwella, expressed national gratitude to the organisers. In his address, Tony Reilly, Director British Council, assured that the EU Film Festival provides everything but pop-corn. Facing this as a challenge, I hope pop-corn too would be there, next time around, supplied courtesy of Sri Lanka perhaps.