TV Times

TV Times

Jayantha breaks new ground with “Guerrilla Marketing”
By Susitha R. Fernando
The Muhurath ceremony for Jayantha Chandrasiri’s was held recently amidst a distinguished gathering of popular film stars, film lovers and well wishers. This new film is funded by National Film Corporation under the new Film Development Fund project .

Jayantha’s last award winning film ‘Agni Dahaya’ was also a production under the Film Development Fund, which provides money to talented versatile filmmakers.

Titled “Guerrilla Marketing”, the film revolves around the failure of the Sri Lankan society, life style of its people and how they react to it. Jayantha Chandrasiri’s script for Guerrilla Marketing explores the Sri Lankan traditions and culture and how the open economic system impacts on individual lives. “We are living in a consumeric society. We all have become products and are priced accordingly”, he said talking about his selection of theme. I had an idea of making such a film for a long time but I could not put it through.

At last I have got the opportunity thanks to the NFC said Jayantha feeling gratified with his achievement. Some of Jayantha’s popular directions starting from the stage play are “Saraswathi” in 1979, ‘Ath’ stage play and teledrama, “Weda Hamine” where the popular trio-Jackson Anthony, Sriyantha Mendis and Kamal Addararachchi teamed up. Sri Lankan audience is in for a treat when these three will come together for the first time on the big screen in ‘Guerrilla Marketing’. The others in the cast include talented and popular Yashoda Wimaladharma, Sangeetha Weeraratne, Gamini Jayalath, Priyankara Ratnayake and Malee Jayaweera.

Asked about his selection of Jackson, Sriyantha and Kamal, Jayantha said, “We first met in 1978 at an actor training course conducted by a German lecturer, I realized how they helped me in my first production ‘Saraswathi’. As a result of this meeting we developed a close understanding,”. “Kamal and Sriyantha are trained actors and Jackson is a real treasure for our country and it will be easy to pass what is in my mind to them for we have a good rapport,” he said.

“I get a great satisfaction in not only putting out final production but also I really enjoy working with my cast and crew during the production stage and that makes me really value the cast working with me,” Jayantha added humbly.

Maestro Premasiri Khemadasa writes the score for the ‘Guerrilla Marketing’. Editing will be done by Ravindra Guruge and cinematography will be by Ruwan Costa. Art directors are Jagath Imbulpe (background) and Kumara Karawdeniya (costume) and dancing items will be directed by Channa Wijewardena. The filming is scheduled for May 6 on location around Colombo and later in Polonnaruwa and Nuwara Eliya for the next thirty-five days.

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