Lester felicitated at Fukuoka

By Susitha R. Fernando

‘Ammawarune’ (Elegy for a Mother), Dr. Lester James Peries' latest film premiered at the 16th Fukuoka International Film Festival held recently.

Mrs. Sumithra Peris, producer Jagath Wijenayake, actors Roshan Pilapitiya and Asoka de Soyza at the Festival.

The festival organizers had selected the direction of veteran filmmaker in honour of his achievement and service to cinema.

"We chose "Ammawarune" from Sri Lanka for our opening film. The film is directed by the master Lester James Peries, a man known as the "father" of Sri Lankan cinema," opening the film festival Tadao Sato, Chairman of the Festival and the President of the Japan Academy of Moving Images and World film critic said.

On the invitation from Japan, Creative Director of the film, Mrs. Sumitha Peries, producer, Jagath Wijenayake, main actor, Roshan Pilapitiya and supporting actor Asoka de Soyza represented the film at the festival held during September 15-24.

"The response received for the film was excellent," Mrs. Peries said speaking about her experience in Fukuoka.

"The film has just been completed and Fukuoka will be its world premiere. It is a beautiful and elevated piece of work depicting through the eyes of Sri Lankan Buddhism, a mother's ardent emotions towards her son in a time of civil war," described Mr. Sato, the head of the festival in his introduction.

Asoka de Soyza, one of the representatives said that the film had three screenings to packed audiences with a very good response. "Two screenings were followed by press conferences for journalists who participated from different parts of the world," he said.

"Japan also undertook to preserve the film for next 600 hundred years in honour of master director of cinema. And agreements were signed by the film producer Jagath Wijenayake," Asoka said.

A plot centering round a strong relationship between a mother and a son Ammawarune depicts how this relationship gets complex as the son takes robes.

The films slated to be released from December on CEL circuit cinemas and its cast include Malani Fonseka, Roshan Pilapitiya, Pradeep Dharmadasa, Tissa Abeysekere, Gayani Gishanthika, Palitha Silva, Sanath Gunatilake, Tony Ranasinghe, Daya Tennakoon, Ashoka de Soyza, Manjula Kumari, Sarath Kotalawela, Ranjith Rubasinghe and child actor Thasriq Ameen.