“Gamperaliya” to be saved at last

At last the country's most versatile and veteran filmmaker Dr. Lester James Peries would be able to heave a sigh of relief as he knows at least one of his internationally acclaimed films would be restored for the future.

On hearting of the pathetic plight befallen the negatives of his renowned direction 'Nidhanaya' (The Treasure), the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), the leading academic institution on art has undertaken the arduous and expensive task of restoring Gameraliya which won the 'Golden Peacock' at the New Delhi International Film Festival.

A scene from 'Gamperaliya'

The beginning of this important endeavour was following the UNESCO's project to collate a World Heritage of cinema selecting 'Nidhanaya' as a work of art that should be preserved for the future generation. But when Dr. Peries with foreign representatives went to Sarasavi studio, Dalugama where almost all the films made in Sri Lankan cinema are kept, he was shocked to hear that the master Negative or the Mother Copy from which fresh copies could be made was burnt due to vinegar syndrome a condition when negatives start deteriorating.

"This was not due to the failure of anybody in Dalugama studio or the National Film Corporation but due to the failure of all governments that came to power since 1956. The late journalist Ajith Samaranayake and many others fought for a film archive but we were not able to persuade any government," said the disappointed filmmaker.

"Due to chemical reaction, the negative started emitting a very harmful gas. There is no other remedy but to burn and destroy in order to prevent people getting affected with the harmful gas they may inhale," said Dr. Peries describing the dangerous impact.

It was Pierre Rissient, a French national and a guardian of Sri Lankan cinema who is attached to 'Pathe' one of the biggest film companies in the world, who heard this unfortunate news.

Dr. Lester James Peries

The choice was now to restore the equally important film 'Gamperaliya' which also reached international heights. "There was a number of correspondence via e-mail and Pierre pushed me to get 'Nidhanaya' restored," Dr. Peries said.

In one of the e-mails Pierre wrote to Lester,"Dear Lester you made a great masterpiece, not only of the cinematography of your country but also universally. It is your duty to make possible this restoration; it is not for your friend Pierre, but for the world"

It was due to Pierre's effort that UCLA, the film university which gave birth to world renowned filmmakers like Copolla, Spielberg and George Lucas made arrangement to restore 'Gamperalia'.

"'The part of the University which has restored a large number of films produced around the world is one of the biggest film restorations in the world,"

The university had even restored films of the greatest Indian filmmaker, Satyajith Ray. So finally 'Gamperaliya' with its 14 sound reels and 14 picture reels with a total weight of 60 Kg were couriered to the Universities of California on May 23,"

Expressing gratitude Lester wrote to Pierre "It is a tremendous campaign that made it possible for 'Gamperaliya' to survive and your incredible faith in our film that made this miracle possible. We do hope and pray that there is no serious detoriation that will destroy any chances of a glorious restoration.

Sumithra and I thank you and are joined by the Sri Lanka film industry for your valiant effort,". Yes as a country as a whole we are indebted to Pierre and hope and pray that Gamperaliya will take its place in the heritage of world cinema.