- Government officials discuss establishing a regulatory body and more cinemas
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
Sri Lanka’s cinema industry has been severely affected by the economic crisis, but one could argue that the movie industry has seen limited development in the years leading to the economic crisis as well, with most local productions failing to garner as much interest as foreign movies.
However, this doesn’t mean that local productions have been underwhelming. Just recently, AYU and The Newspaper were screened at the Indian Film Festival Melbourne, which is the largest annual celebration of Indian cinema and cinema of the Indian subcontinent outside of India showcasing some of the most diverse, inclusive, and ground-breaking films.
Fortunately, government officials are showing interest in developing and strengthening the industry. According to a statement issued by the Mass Media Ministry, a discussion was held on 10 August between National Film Corporation officials, industry experts and investors, and Mass Media Minister Bandula Gunawardana on the local cinema industry and the development of the movie culture in the country. The restructuring of the National Film Corporation and the establishment of a National Film Regulation authority were also discussed.
Gunawardana highlighted that this is a time where the habit of enjoying movies at the cinema is gradually diminishing among the youth, and as such, measures should be implemented to build a cinema culture in Sri Lanka. The Minister stressed the need for a strategy to not only develop cinema as an art, but also as an industry.
“It is my pleasure to partake in this discussion as someone who has directly worked with the cinema industry, starting from Suddilage Kathaawa (1985) to The Newspaper (2020),” the Minister said. He is credited as a producer on both movies.
“I expect recommendations and proposals on developing the cinema industry from all producers, actors, and experts present at this discussion,” he went on to say, sharing a few key factors he has identified as being essential for this development, like increasing the number of theatres, especially at the Local Government level.
“In addition to this, the implementation of the concept of wheel cinema, where movies are screened from a vehicle, which is popular in Western countries, will help popularise cinema among the youth,” Gunawardana said, explaining that the Department of Government Information has implemented wheel cinema in the past, and that it can be modernised and relaunched.
He added that another essential measure is making the National Film Corporation act as a regulatory commission, providing the necessary facilities and regulation to encourage the private sector. “The Presidential Film Awards event, which has not been held for two years, is planned to be held before the end of this year.”
The Mass Media Ministry added that National Film Corporation Chairman Deepal Chardrarathne, who was present at the discussion, said that despite this being a challenging time for the industry, it can be developed within the year with the right interventions.
Speaking to The Morning Brunch, Chandrarathne said: “We discussed how the National Film Corporation can be transformed into a regulatory body. Nothing has been finalised yet, and so far, only a committee has been appointed to gather the ideas and proposals of industry stakeholders.”
Going into detail about the committee, Mass Media Ministry Additional Secretary (Development and Planning) E.M.S.B. Jayasundara told The Morning Brunch that it consists of 13 persons, and is headed by Chandrarathne, while industry stakeholders are members of the committee.
The committee has been tasked with preparing proposals and recommendations.
“We have asked for the report within two months,” Jayasundara said, adding that the report may be submitted before this, and that various amendments could be made to it.
With regard to reports about making the National Film Corporation defunct, Jayasundara said: “When a commission is established, resources maybe allocated to it, but the exact structure hasn’t been decided yet and no decision has been taken to make the National Film Corporation defunct. It is the committee that will recommend what needs to be done.”
He went on to say that various structural issues within the National Film Corporation were discussed last week. “In addition to this, the need to make good films was also looked at, from the ability of the industry to make good films, financial capacities, film distribution, as well as the situation with film halls.”
He went on to say that there were many ideas on the promotion of the industry, although none have been finalised yet, adding: “In the coming months, these proposals will be considered, which is why a committee has been appointed.”