BIRTH CENTENARY SPECIAL!

SRILANKAN CINEMA LEGEND..LESTER JAMES PERIES.

Srilankan legendary filmmaker Lester James Peries.

Birth Centenary of Srilankan legendary filmmaker Lester James Peries.. just happened!

Srilankan filmmaker Lester James Peries with camera & script!

Born in Roman Catholic family in Colombo..Lester James Peries at teenage first got introduction of 8mm Kodascope projector which his father gifted him! While studying in 
'St. Peter's College', Colombo at the age of 17 he decided to go in Journalism and started working in Daily News! In 1939 he joined 'The Times of Ceylon'..and reviewed books in programmes on 'Radio Ceylon'!

Then Lester Peries joined theatre group there.. 'Drama Circle' and looked after production of modern English plays. In 1947 he travelled to England and during his stay he experienced film clubs in UK..and his interest in cinema developed! There was one more Srilankan with same interest..Hereward Jans whom he met and two decided to make films! First in 1949 they tried short film 'Soliloquy'..For this Peries wrote the script & took the responsibility of direction too..And Hereward did cinematography!

Legendary Lester James Peries made Srilankan film 'Gamperaliya' (1963).

After making such three experimental films L. J. Peries decided to make his career in film making..and in 1952 returned to Srilanka! Then 
he first joined the 'Government Film Unit' at Ceylon. There he helped in the production of important documentaries like 'Heritage of Lanka'. In 1955 he left that job and formed his own film company 'Chitra Lanka Limited' to produce Sinhala films! His colleagues in GFI.. cameraman William Blake and editor Titus Thotawatte also joined him and they together made first Sinhalese feature film 'Rekava'!

Lester James Peries made Srilankan film 'Nidhanaya' (1972).
Famous Gamini Fonseka & Malini Fonseka in lead roles!

Focusing the village life and mythical beliefs.. 'Rekava' (1956) was also the first Srilankan film without the influence of South-Indian cinema! 
It got success and international recognition too. It was the first Srilankan film which was shown in the competition section of 'Cannes Film Festival'! After that Peries directed film 'Sandesava' (1960) was with the backdrop of war between Sinhalese & Portuguese. It was a request of.. Indian filmmaker-actor Raj Kapoor!

Then Peries made Srilankan drama film 'Gamperaliya' (1963) was an adaptation of the novel of same name by Martin Wickramasinghe. This path breaking Sinhala film shot entirely outdoor. It was a focus on family tensions with social scenario! This film won 'Golden Peacock' at our 'International Film Festival of India'!..And screened at international film festivals like Cannes & Moscow! Meanwhile in 1964 he married to Sumitra Gunawardena (Peries) who is also a filmmaker and known as 'Poetess of Sinhala Cinema'!

With Srilankan legendary filmmaker Lester James Peries & Mrs. Sumitra Peries 

..I am at our 'International Film Festival of India' held at New Delhi in 2000.

Like focusing rural life..Peries also covered the subjects of urban rich society like in film 'Delovak Athara' (1966). Then his film 'Ran Salu' (1967) was with the theme of Buddhism..and won 'Gandhi Award' at Delhi! He also handled popular genre like romantic 'Golu Hadawatha' (1968) and revenge drama 'Nidhanaya' (1972)..Famous Gamini Fonseka & Malini Fonseka acted this film won 'Silver Lion' at 'Venice International Film Festival'! Then his film 'Madol Duwa' (1976) showed rebellious youth!

Peries directed epic biographical film 'Veera Puran Appu' (1978) was a box office hit. Former cabinet minister of that country...Tyronne Fernando produced in this film more than 1,500 artists contributed! Then he made 'Yuganthaya' (1983) focused the issues of working class there! For this he won 'Sri Lanka's Presidential Award'!

Srilankan legendary filmmaker Lester James Peries with print of his films!

Then with gaps of few years..he made films focusing on changing modern life in Srilanka..like 'Awaragira' (1990) and 'Wekande Walauwa' (2002) which won 'Golden Felini' award from 'UNESCO' & that was country's first ever submission for the 'Oscar'! He made last film was 'Ammawarune' (2006) for which veteran musician Premasiri Khemadasa composed the music!

I remember meeting this great filmmaker of Srilanka..Lester James Peries with his filmmaker wife Smt. Sumitra Peries..at our 'International Film Festival of India' held at New Delhi in 2000. He was honoured for his contribution to cinema in it!

Bye of Srilankan legendary filmmaker Lester James Peries!

Overall 28 films L. J. Peries made and focused on the rural, urban life with family issues. Though he had his independent style of film making..his cinematic treatment was close to our Satyajit Ray! So he also known as Ray of Srilanka!!

My humble tribute to this master of Srilankan cinema!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune, India]