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“To us all towns are our own, everyone our kin, life’s good comes not from others’ gifts, nor ill”

V. I. S Jayapalan quotes Kaniyan Poongundran when asked about his thoughts on accepting the invitation to be cast as ‘Ausada’, the Rodiya Chieftain, in Prasanna Vithanage’s latest film, Gaadi; a powerful human story between the Royalty and the outcasts, the Rodiyas, set during the Kandyan Dynasty.

For Jayapalan, the Sri Lankan character actor / philosopher, playing an important role in ‘Gaadi’ is not merely starring in a Sinhala movie, directed by a Sinhala director. For him it is much deeper on many fronts. Firstly, he thinks this is a wonderful opportunity to act in a film directed by the renowned Sri Lankan film director Prasanna Vithanage, whose ideology on equality, peaceful co-existence and justice amongst all Sri Lankans, be it Sinhala, Tamil or Muslims is a view akin to Jayapalan’s philosophy of identity politics. He thinks this is also a great opportunity for artists from different ethnicities to come together, using film as a medium to actively pursue the concept of tolerance and co-existence between all races.

He goes on to explain how the theme of Gaadi resonates well with him from a point of view of the prevailing cast and class system, and stresses the importance of overcoming this ugly social divide with love and respect for one another, just like how the story line in Gaadi unfolds. He further explains how he sees the underlying social message in Gaadi as a prevalent microcosm of the cast / class differentiation which unfortunately impacts on social disintegration as much as racial disintegration amongst Sri Lankans, big or small.

For Jayapalan, this opportunity also gives him a platform to speak on behalf of all ethnic groups that he represents as a Sri Lankan, and says he would like to continue acting in many more progressive Sri Lankan films if the opportunity arises.

As a parting message, Jayapalan wishes to highlight the importance of adapting Sinhala works of art to Tamil and vice versa to help all Sri Lankans to understand and appreciate each other’s culture and philosophies better. This he feels is yet another important step in the process of active cohabitation, tolerance and acceptance amongst all Sri Lankans.

“We marvel not at the greatness of the great; still less despise we men of low estate” by Kaniyan Poongundran, seems to sum up this thought succinctly.

Prasanna Vithanage has embarked on his dream film project ‘Gaadi’ (Children of the Sun); a period drama, placed during the final phase of the Kandyan Kingdom. ‘Gaadi’ is based on folklore and historical events during this time. The film will start production in June this year aiming at local and international audiences. This will be an international production with teams from Sri Lanka, India and Europe coming together.

As per the current schedule, the theatrical release of the film is planned for July 2019. Film Island (www.filmisland.net) will be undertaking the production of this ambitious and impassioned project.

This is Film Island’s maiden entry into local film production. The team behind the company truly believes that a country’s development should be measured not only by economic growth, but by human capital development and by its appreciation towards creative sensitivities and sensibilities. The long term aim of Film Island is to lead this industry to flourish beyond our shows and instil a greater cultural and creative appreciation in our people. “Since enhanced sensitivity and sensibility built through the arts helps in many positive human outcomes, we wanted to support this drive by Prasanna, who has committed his entire life for the cause of enhancement of the cinema industry through creative and visionary strategies,” said a spokesperson for Film Island.

“This has been my dream film for many years and I have been planning and waiting for the right moment. This year turned out to be that moment with the right investors, cast and production team all coming together seamlessly. The main cast is already finalised and I am happy that I got the fresh face and fresh talent I was looking for, for the lead roles. For me this is going to be my magnum opus!” said Prasanna Vithanage.

Ajay Rai of Jar Pictures, one of India’s leading Independent Motion Picture Production companies will be investing in a Sri Lankan film production for the first time as a co-producer in this film. Behind this project are the Indian film industry stalwarts such as Rajeev Ravi who will join the team as the cinematographer, A. Sreekar Prasad as the editor and Tapas Nayak as the sound designer, enhancing the core team.

“We have been discussing this film for a long time and I am so glad to know that it is now ready to roll. I am doubly glad that I am able to be a part of ‘Gaadi’, which I know for a fact is Prasanna’s dream project,” said Rai.

“We acknowledge the financial commitment from our local business leaders who wish to see this industry flourish by supporting bankable films and dependable directors like Prasanna Vithanage, and we hope that this trend will continue in the future,” commented Sandya Salgado, Business Strategist at Film Island.

(Source:http://www.ft.lk/entertainment-sectors/Film-Island-starts-work-on-Prasanna-s-epic-movie—Gaadi-/10405-655868)

After completing five months of rigorous pre-production work, Prasanna Vithanage is ready to roll with his 10th cinematic creation by October; with the production of his magnum opus, Gaadi.

Prasanna will introduce Dinara Punchihewa to the Sri Lankan Cinema, who will star with Sajitha Anuththara in this first Bollywood – Sri Lanka co-production.

Shyam Fernando, Ashan Dias, Kalana Fernando together with over 500 actors will be cast in this period drama placed during the final phase of the Kandyan Kingdom and is based on folklore and historical events during this time.

Film Island (www.filmisland.net) will be the local producer of Gaadi with its long term aim of leading the local film industry to flourish beyond Sri Lankan shores and by instilling a greater cultural and creative appreciation among its people.

Ajay Rai of Jar Pictures, one of India’s leading Independent Motion Picture Production companies will be investing in a Sri Lankan film production for the first time as a co-producer in this film. Behind this project are the Indian film industry stalwarts such as Rajeev Ravi who will join the team as the cinematographer, A. Sreekar Prasad as the editor and Tapas Nayak as the sound designer, enhancing the core team.

The theatrical release of the film will be in June 2019.

From the prestigious ‘Yash Raj’ films comes ‘Hichki’, the latest release from Carnival Movies Lanka, the newest movie importer to Sri Lanka, committed to bringing the latest international movies, including Hollywood and Bollywood movies of repute to Sri Lanka. Carnival Movies Lanka is strategically aligned with Film Island Pvt Ltd, who continue to be committed to developing the local movie industry through innovative service offerings and international partnerships.

‘Hichki’ is an adaptation of the Hollywood film ‘Front of the Class’, which was based on the book by the same name. It’s the story of a courageous teacher with Tourette Syndrome, with Rani Mukerji playing the lead role.

A movie about hope, overcoming obstacles and the resilience of the human spirit.

In theaters in Sri Lanka from March 23rd 2018, coinciding with its global launch.

Movie: Hichki

Language: Hindi (with English subtitles)

Director: Siddharth P Malhotra

Produced by: Maneesh Sharma

Staring: Rani Mukerji

Release Date: March 23, 2018

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLSaCFlXn-g

From the director of IQBAL and DOR comes another story about the power of hope, determination and the human spirit.

Pari has promised her little blind brother Chotu that she’ll help get his eyesight back before he turns 10. When she spots her favourite star Shah Rukh Khan on the poster for an eye-donation drive, she is convinced her hero will help her on her mission. And so Pari sets out with Chotu on a magical journey through Rajasthan where they encounter a bunch of colourful characters.

DHANAK is an enchanting fable that reinforces the belief that life is beautiful. Winner of multiple international awards including the Grand Prix at the Berlin Film Festival (Generation K Plus section)

Movie: DHANAK (THE RAINBOW)

Language: HINDI (with English Subtitles)

Director: Nagesh Kukunoor

Cast: Hetal Gada, Krrish Chhabria, Rajiv Lakshman, Vipin Sharma, Fllora Saini

Genre: Drama

Release Date: June 17, 2016

Trailer: bit.ly/Dhanak-Trailer

The Marché du Film is the most important event of the film industry. This year there were over 10,000 professionals participating including 3200 producers, participating at this event. The International film village is a networking hotspot which highlights the industry, the production and cinematography. Sri Lanka’s breathtaking landscapes and scenery that have already become a salient feature with the French film makers were aptly brought to life at the country’s pavillion in the Cannes International Film Village promoting the country as an idyllic location for international film producers.

This initiative to represent Sri Lanka at the International Film Market, organized with the patronage of Dr Harsha De Silva, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, was a public private partnership involving the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Paris, the Sri Lanka Film Cooperation, and six companies in the industry.

The Sri Lanka Pavilion designed as a platform for stakeholders to market the country saw a lot of interesting activity, with packed attendance for the interactive sessions. Ambassador Tilak Ranaviraja and the Trade Counsellor Mr. Alexi Gunasekera accompanied the Hon. Deputy Minister to the Sri Lanka Pavilion. Mrs. Sandya Salgado and Mr.Vimukthi Jayasundara, renowned industry personnel and other stakeholders, were also present on this occasion. During the 10 days, the Cannes Film Festival offered unique opportunity to engage proactively with representatives of other countries, institutions, professional organization and producers. The pavilions, while showcasing the rich diversity of countries, made space for official engagements, media events and signing of agreements and treaties.

A notable feature of this year’s activities at the Cannes Film Market was the exclusive networking receptions organized at the Sri Lanka pavilion attracting many producers, directors and other related professionals from many countries such as USA, Israel Japan Hong-Kong Italy, France and the UK. This new initiative aimed at promoting and forging ties for co-production and partnerships between Sri Lanka and these countries. Business meetings also took place between the Sri Lanka delegates and international stakeholders to facilitate business promotion and explore opportunities for partnership.

The foundation was laid to sign a co-production agreement with the CNC (French National Film Co-operation) during a meeting held with the French Film authority. At the meeting Dr Harsha de Silva De Silva remarked that after the signing of this agreement the filmmakers of France and Sri Lanka will have the opportunity to produce films under bilateral co-production agreements. Bringing different nationalities together, this agreement would also “forge new markets and wider audiences,” the Deputy Minister added. The agreement that is intended to be signed at the 70th edition of Cannes will further support archiving of Sri Lanka films and digitalization of the Sri Lanka cinema.

A second Agreement that has been discussed and that will be signed with the organizers of the Cannes film festival and the National Film Cooperation of Sri Lanka will allow networking opportunities with international producers and conducting of training sessions for Sri Lanka film makers to develop cinematographic skills that would enhance the skills of Sri Lankan film makers. French Film Producer Philippe Avril, General Manager of Les Filmes de l’étranger, also signed an MOU with Film Island/Sri Lanka to further synergise the concept of the country as a film production location.

Conscious of the fact that co-productions can contribute to an expansion of film industries as well as growth in the economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries, further opportunities will be explored to sign co-production agreements with other countries in the future.

Ambassador Tilak Ranaviraja speaking at the inauguration of the networking session pointed out that the medium of film provided a great platform to showcase the culture and diversity of a country. Many iconic films, French television series and documentaries have already been filmed in Sri Lanka due to our stunning locations as well as the accessibility, authenticity and compact nature of the Island.

Other officials represented at the Sri Lanka Pavilion in this maiden venture included Mr. P.M. Deepal Chandraratne, Chairman, National Film Corporation; Mr. M.L. Subasinghe, Working Director of the National Film Corporation; Mr Dushan Wickramasuriya, Director Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Ms. Ganista Rasanayagam, Commercial Secretary of the Embassy of Sri Lanka. Private sector representatives included Mr.Gopi Dharmarathnam, Mrs. Nihara Ratnam, Mr. Priyanga Kumarasiri, Mr. Nishantha Padmakumara Mr. Udaya Dharmawardana Mrs. Iranthi Abeyasinghe and Mr. Priyath Salgado.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Vimukthi Jayasundara, Sri Lanka’s one and only Cannes winner’s creations have been selected to be screened as a Retrospective at the Cinema South Film Festival 2016 in Israel. In addition to presenting his 5 films, he will also conduct Artist Workshops at the festival.

For more information, click here

Film Island (FI), the newest Film Production and Distribution Company in Sri Lanka (www.filmisland.net) signed MOUs with two Indian Film Companies and one French Company at Festival de Cannes recently.

This is Film Island’s first step in marketing Sri Lanka as a unique destination for film shoots, offering best in class line production services. While many films have been shot in Sri Lanka in the past, Film Island plans to market the country much more strategically and aggressively, making film production a more lucrative FDI earner for the country. Film Island’s mandate is also to identify innovative strategies to grow and develop the industry to International standards in order for the industry to compete more professionally in the world stage of cinema with Art House movies.

Sri Lanka Tourist Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the Embassy in Paris, enabled the current service providers to market Sri Lanka at the Festival De Cannes, by providing the necessary infrastructure and facilities via a pavilion at the Village International.

This is the first road show of its kind in Cinema Tourism that Sri Lanka has participated in. Having seen the success of being present at Cannes, the government agencies concerned have discussed the importance of planning the next road show at Cannes immediately, with the objective of signing a bi-lateral agreement between France and Sri Lanka.

With focused and aggressive marketing done by the Film Island team at‘Festival De Cannes’, many collaborations and partnerships were forged for future projects that are expected to roll out in the near future.

French Film Producer Philippe Avril, General Manager of Les Films de l’Etranger signed an MOU with Film Island, to promote Sri Lanka as a unique shooting destination for potential European film productions and also help FI develop broader strategies that would help the overall growth and development of the Sri Lankan film industry which will help the country to be competitive in the international arena. Shiladitya Bora, Film Director / Producer secured line production services of Film Island, for his film Minefieldto be shot in SL, while Drishyam Films signed an MOU to distribute their Independent film productions in SL through FI.

Film Island brings to the industry a team of professionals who will develop sharp strategies and plans that would help Sri Lanka attract film producers from different regions that will promote the country on the platform of Film Tourism, just like what New Zealand, Seychelles, China, South Korea, Malaysia etc have done successfully for their respective countries.

The professionals behind Film Island are,sought after personalities in the film field such as Prasanna Vithanage, Vimukthi Jayasundara and Iranthi Abeyasinghe. This group is aptly supported by Sandya Salgado, Yamindra Watson Perera and Aravinda de Silva as strategic business partners.

Film Island signs first MOU with French Film Producer Philippe Avril, General Manager of Les Films de l’Etranger at Cannes Film Festival, witnessed by the Ambassador to France HE Thilak Ranaviraja, against the backdrop of the beautiful Riviera. Proud moment for Film Island. www.filmisland.net

Cannes Camera d’Or winner Vimukthi Jayasundara [pictured] and his fellow Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage are among the co-founders of a new production and distribution company, Film Island, which aims to bring international productions to Sri Lanka.

Vithanage and Jayasundara are working with a team of producers and strategic business partners to promote Sri Lanka as a shooting destination and offer production services for international shoots.

“As filmmakers ourselves we can answer any questions that filmmakers coming from Paris to Beijing might have about shooting in the country,” said Jayasundara, who won the Camera d’Or in 2005 for The Forsaken Land and returned to Cannes in 2011 with Mushrooms.

The new outfit has already signed four MOUs with overseas partners, including France’s Les Films de l’Etranger, which will represent Film Island in the global market.

Film Island has also signed two agreements with India’s Drishyam Films – for line producing and facilitating Shiladitya Bora’s Sri Lanka-set drama Minefield – and to distribute films produced by Drishyam Films in Sri Lanka. The company is also working Vista India to launch digital platforms for local producers.

Based at the Sri Lanka Pavilion, Film Island is visiting Cannes with the support of the Sri Lanka Tourist Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The company is inviting filmmakers from around the world to visit Sri Lanka to explore the possibilities of shooting on the island.

“Sri Lanka’s government is open to international relations and cultural exchange and is throwing the doors open to overseas filmmakers to come and work with us. The whole country is one big film set,” said Film Island business strategist Sandya Salgado.

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