{"id":34179,"date":"2014-10-28T23:40:22","date_gmt":"2014-10-29T03:40:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=34179"},"modified":"2014-10-28T23:44:54","modified_gmt":"2014-10-29T03:44:54","slug":"gamini-fonseka-and-lester-james-peries-cinematic-relationship-of-an-actor-and-director","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=34179","title":{"rendered":"Gamini Fonseka and Lester James Peries: Cinematic relationship of an actor and director"},"content":{"rendered":"

By<\/p>\n

D.B.S.Jeyaraj<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ten years ago on 30 September the brightest light of Sri Lankan cinema went out. Gamini Fonseka, the monarch of Sinhala moviedom, passed away peacefully on that day. Gamini Fonseka was my favourite actor on the Sinhala silver screen and became an important part of my childhood. This week\u2019s \u2018Spotlight\u2019 focuses on him on the occasion of his 10th death anniversary.<\/p>\n

\"Gamini<\/a>

Gamini Fonseka and Lester James Peries<\/p><\/div>\n

Since I have written several articles in the past about the personality of Gamini and the remarkable highlights of his successful acting career, I thought of deviating from the beaten track this time and writing this column differently. What I want to do here is to focus on the professional interaction between the actor Gamini Fonseka and the director Lester James Peries.
\n
\nThe Lester-Gamini \u201cpartnership\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

As stated in these columns earlier, maestro Lester is the Sri Lankan filmmaker I like, admire and respect most. This article will therefore be devoted to the cinematic relationship between my favourite actor and favourite director in the sphere of Sinhala cinema. The Lester-Gamini \u201cpartnership\u201d in movies spanned several decades and paid great dividends.<\/p>\n

It was Lester James Peries who gave Gamini his first break in movies through his path-breaking film \u2018Rekawa\u2019 (line of destiny). Gamini showed his face for the first time on screen in a scene in the film. He was working as a camera cum production assistant for Lester. It was Lester who made Gamini an assistant director for his second film \u2018Sandesaya,\u2019 in which he also played the second lead to Ananda Jayaratne.Three of Gamini Fonseka\u2019s memorable character portrayals on screen were as Jinadasa, Willie Abeynayake and Saviman Kabalana in the films \u2018Gamperaliya,\u2019 \u2018Nidhanaya\u2019 and \u2018Yuganthaya\u2019 respectively. All three were directed by Lester. Gamini\u2019s first attempt at directing was \u2018Parasathumal\u2019 in which Lester played a behind the scenes role as an adviser and guide.<\/p>\n

Interestingly both Lester born in 1919 and Gamini born in 1936 grew up in Dehiwala during different periods. Both their fathers were friends. Both had an uncle named Seymour. The two \u201cSeymour uncles\u201d were known to each other and played bridge together. Yet the man who introduced Gamini to Lester was Premnath Moraes, the man of multiple talents. Premnath had worked with Lester on \u2018Rekawa\u2019 and later quit but maintained friendly relations with the director. It was Premnath Moraes who sent Gamini Fonseka to Lester James Peries with a letter of introduction.<\/p>\n

Young Gamini had ended secondary schooling at S. Thomas\u2019 College Mt. Lavinia and was now severely bitten by the movie bug. Ironically, the man who became one of the finest and popular actors on screen, did not want a career in acting then. He wanted to be a cinematographer and a film director. Gamini had tried to get a chance with many film producers but met with little luck. It was at this juncture that Premnath helped him out.<\/p>\n

Premnath Moraes was himself a journalist, writer, poet, lyricist, actor, director, commentator and a silver-tongued orator. Recognising Gamini\u2019s innate talent and appreciating his enthusiasm, Premnath recommended him to Lester. Premnath described Gamini as an old Thomian and the kind of person needed by the film industry. \u201cHe is mad about films and wants to be a cameraman,\u201d wrote Moraes.<\/p>\n

Responding positively to Premnath\u2019s recommendation, Lester took Gamini on as a camera assistant to ace cinematographer Willie Blake. \u2018Rekawa\u2019 was being filmed then. It was being shot at Wewala between Alawwa and Polgahawela. Gamini stayed with Justin, another camera assistant. Shooting went on for six days a week. Only Sunday was rest day. On Saturdays Justin went to Ja-ela and brought pork. Gamini and Justin cooked it and entertained the trio of Lester, Willie and Editor Titus for a spirited dinner.<\/p>\n

Despite the Saturday night bonhomie over a pork dinner, Willie Blake and Gamini Fonseka did not hit it off well while working. The quick-tempered Blake would lose his cool frequently. The youthful Gamini would not take the outbursts lightly. There were regular verbal duels. After about a month Gamini thought of calling it quits and informed Lester. By now the director had realised Gamini\u2019s potential and did not want to let go of him.<\/p>\n

Lester sounded out the production manager, Dan Dorairaj who was more than happy to take Gamini on board. So now Gamini was a production assistant. His chief responsibility was to ferry the artistes and crew from wherever they were staying to the shooting location in the morning and bring them back in the evening. While doing so, Gamini also assisted both the director and editor at times.<\/p>\n

\u2018Rekawa’<\/strong><\/p>\n

While the film was being shot Gamini got a chance to be an actor. According to the script, the boy Sena played by Somapala Dharmapriya was said to have healing powers. There were scenes where afflicted people came to be cured. Due to some reason Gamini had not shaven for a few days and had stubble. Deciding to shave it off on location, Gamini hung a small mirror on a tree and took out a razor when Lester passing by told him not to shave.<\/p>\n

\u201cGamini, don\u2019t shave today. We have to shoot sick patients and with that growth you look like a sick man,\u201d Lester said. Thus Gamini faced the camera for the first time as a patient with a towel around his neck seeking a cure from Sena. Later in another shot he was a part of a crowd but the camera did not focus on him.<\/p>\n

While \u2018Rekawa\u2019 was being filmed there arrived in the island, David Lean, to film the classic \u2018Bridge on the River Kwai\u2019. Lester met and interacted with the illustrious filmmaker through the good offices of Sarath Wijesinha, the premier financier of \u2018Rekawa\u2019. When the shooting of \u2018Rekawa\u2019 ended, four crew members got an opportunity to work for David Lean thanks to being recommended by Lester.<\/p>\n

They were Dan Dorairaj, Sesha Palihakkara, Wijaya Abeydeva and Gamini Fonseka. Dorairaj was taken into the Transport Dept, while Palihakkara was put in the makeup section. Abeydeva and Fonseka were assigned to the local assistant directors dept. All four were provided with accommodation, transport, food and a daily stipend while shooting went on in Kitulgala. The stint at Kitulgala made possible by Lester was a tremendous experience for Gamini. He moved easily with the Western personnel and established firm friendships with some.<\/p>\n

\u2018Sandeshaya\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite the critical and International success of \u2018Rekawa\u2019 released in 1956, Lester languished for a three years without any film offers. Finally Willie Blake was able to convince K. Gunaratnam of Cinemas Ltd. to produce a film with Lester. Gunaratnam wanted a \u201cprestigious\u201d film to denote the 10th anniversary of Cinemas Ltd. Lester embarked upon a historical film \u2018Sandeshaya\u2019 (the message), based on a tale happening during Portuguese rule for Cinemas Ltd.<\/p>\n