‘Sam’s Story’ writes Chamila’s name in record book
View(s):Young and devoted actor Jagath Chamila has reached international heights as he has been nominated in the Best Actor category at the ‘New York City International Film Festival’ scheduled to open next week.
THis is for his role in Priyankara Vittanachchi’s film “Sam’s Story”. Jagath plays the lead role of an uneducated aide in the film “Sam’s Story” made based on the critically acclaimed book of the same name written by Capt. Elmo Jayawardena that won the Gratiaen Prizein 2001. The story is woven around ‘Sam’, the protagonist, who is a poor, mentally challenged boy from a Sri Lankan village.
Along with Jagath four other actors from US, Denmark, Cuba and Canada have also been nominated for the award. The New York City International Film festival will be held from June 13 to June 20. Jagath is the only Sri Lankan actor nominated for such a rare award after Joe Abeywickrama won a Silver Screen Award for Best Asian Actor for his portrayal of a grieving father in Prasanna Vithanage’s ‘Pura Handa Kaluwara’,
Entered cinema in Wijaya Dharmashri’s ‘ Gurugedara’ in 1989, Jagath had a long stint on stage starting from his school days at Prince of Wales Moratuwa. ‘Samige Kathawa’- ‘Samy’s Story’, was screened in last April April at ReelWorld Film Festival in Canada. A Sri Lankan-Canadian production the film is directed by Priyankara Vitanachchi. The film had its premier at the SAFF Vancouver in 2012.
The film follows the story of a poor and uneducated boy from Sri Lankan village. Hailing from a family with financial constraints, Siriratne is the eldest son and he is mentally retarded. Growing up with lack of parental affection, Siriratne and his brother, Jaya give up their education.
Siriratne becomes a domestic aide and is called ‘Sam’ while his brother enlists in the army. Following the news that his brother had died in action, Sam starts hating Tamils.
The star-studded cast brings the fine performance of Jagath Chamila, Sanath Gunathilaka, Menik Kurukulasuriya, Nilmini Buwaneka, Victor Ramanayake, Kusum Perera, Thesara Jayawardane, Anushka Vinodini, Vathika Ravinath, Malinda Viraj, Bennie Clariston, Wasantha Perera, Welegedara Ranasinghe, Vinnie Wettasinghe, Mangala Fernando and Nisansala Edirisinghe.
Cinematographer Ruwan Costa, art director, Welegedara Ranasinghe, costumes by Athula Sulthanagoda, edited by Shyaman Premasundara while the music director is Sarath Wickrama.Screenplay written by Pushpakumara Ellawela and Vithanachchi himself ‘Samy’s Story is produced and directed by Priyankara Vithanachchi.
Executive producers of the film are Dayashantha Fonseka and Priyankara Vithanachchi.
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