The Newspaper (2020)
We wanted to see this Sinhala film in the theater because Sarath Kotelawala and Kumara Thirimadura have never failed us before. That's from their acting. We expected that they would do a great job as directors as well. That's why I went to the theater without reading a single note posted by people who had seen this. I watched the trailer while writing this post. Actually I had missed it.
This is a movie that made a pretty perfect impression. Nearly Perfect. As far as I understand, it is a work in which all the artistic and technical aspects such as acting, screenwriting, editing, art direction and music have contributed equally and to the fullest. As if there were no flaws and that should be told at the beginning.
As a Sinhala film, this feeling of perfection came to an end after 'Ho Gana Pokuna' and 'Komali Kings'. I did not go to a theater and watch a Sinhala movie after those, so there is no way I can get caught in a good sinhala movie.
This raises optimism about the future. Now there are two other directors who can work for Sinhala cinema. If their first job is successful enough, they will continue to work hard to make Sri Lankan movie fans as well as the world.
The screenplay is often the first step in making a film a success. Depending on the country, it may vary. I don't think there are fans in Sri Lanka who go to theater because of actors and actresses. They want a story. A story they can connect with. This is not about people who are drawn to royal stories and religious stories anyway. It's about a significant portion of people who face life in a different way, people who are watching a movie for a little fun, or for change while living a harsh life. It is not an easy task to write a screenplay that can bring together those people and the fans of the religious/ royal stories alone with those who are not in both categories. 'Newspaper' is a work of that level.
It is no coincidence that two or three years ago I was caught up in the magic of Malayalam movies. A significant number of those films are about the lives of the people of Sri Lanka as well. Those stories are our own stories. The stories of the rural Malayalam culture are more a story in Sri Lanka than the stories of any other culture. When you see people drinking arrack with tap water, pre planned drinking parties, wearing rubber sandals and coming home with the sound of chirping after washing face from a river or a well, that's how we've seen Sri Lankan village. Sri Lankan people. And for a long time, that naturalness of pure life missed from sinhala movies. Newspaper is something that felt like a movie that fills that void.
This is run by Sarath and Kumara and later by Mashi but even in a very small role, the best actors in the industry scores. So it builds our confidence in the film. The crew has managed to keep that belief intact throughout the film. Especially Sarath Kumara (single name). The heartfelt friendship we feel behind the chemistry of the two actors is the factor that fascinates us throughout the film. Whatever it is, we feel safe with the idea that they are there for them. The graphics, the moment-to-moment music, and the silly interludes all help to maintain this feeling. The fire of all this can melt your eyes and flow in the final scene.
I thought Lewis' character should have developed a little more. At times, I even thought that they could have given him more dialogs without being that dumb. To me he is a character that is not clearly described. It's not an easy character to build. In any case, Mr. Thirimadura's acting is excellent. Lewis' words are gold in a difficult situation.
Usually the essence of a film is hard to put into words. It is something to be understood with a great philosophical and social study. However, in the end, it's the part of the film that stays in our memory and shocks us. Movies that have no such essence are quickly forgotten by us. We watch essence rich movies over and over again. We try to get a little more of that essence into our lives. The 'Newspaper' is a movie with a soul. The feeling we feel throughout the film connects us to those characters. We feel their feelings. Those bonds become our bonds. Behind that, there may come a moment where we judge ourselves.
This is a movie about dust. Dust none of us care. Likewise, this is also a story of people who are neglected. This movie shows it only need just a moment for anyone to be dust. Those who have power and wealth get rid of it, but it is not easy for normal folks to stay out of it. The ideals we believe in, the people who get paid to listen to our complaints, and the many people we trust will not come forward for us in such a moment. But too may often come forward to dust us off. That's what usually happens to us. So this is our story.
Finally, this is not a review. Just howl of a raven that has tasted something good. If you want to see a Sri Lankan movie, spread about this movie for others.
This is a modifies google translation of my Sinhala note about the movie.
We wanted to see this Sinhala film in the theater because Sarath Kotelawala and Kumara Thirimadura have never failed us before. That's from their acting. We expected that they would do a great job as directors as well. That's why I went to the theater without reading a single note posted by people who had seen this. I watched the trailer while writing this post. Actually I had missed it.
This is a movie that made a pretty perfect impression. Nearly Perfect. As far as I understand, it is a work in which all the artistic and technical aspects such as acting, screenwriting, editing, art direction and music have contributed equally and to the fullest. As if there were no flaws and that should be told at the beginning.
As a Sinhala film, this feeling of perfection came to an end after 'Ho Gana Pokuna' and 'Komali Kings'. I did not go to a theater and watch a Sinhala movie after those, so there is no way I can get caught in a good sinhala movie.
This raises optimism about the future. Now there are two other directors who can work for Sinhala cinema. If their first job is successful enough, they will continue to work hard to make Sri Lankan movie fans as well as the world.
The screenplay is often the first step in making a film a success. Depending on the country, it may vary. I don't think there are fans in Sri Lanka who go to theater because of actors and actresses. They want a story. A story they can connect with. This is not about people who are drawn to royal stories and religious stories anyway. It's about a significant portion of people who face life in a different way, people who are watching a movie for a little fun, or for change while living a harsh life. It is not an easy task to write a screenplay that can bring together those people and the fans of the religious/ royal stories alone with those who are not in both categories. 'Newspaper' is a work of that level.
It is no coincidence that two or three years ago I was caught up in the magic of Malayalam movies. A significant number of those films are about the lives of the people of Sri Lanka as well. Those stories are our own stories. The stories of the rural Malayalam culture are more a story in Sri Lanka than the stories of any other culture. When you see people drinking arrack with tap water, pre planned drinking parties, wearing rubber sandals and coming home with the sound of chirping after washing face from a river or a well, that's how we've seen Sri Lankan village. Sri Lankan people. And for a long time, that naturalness of pure life missed from sinhala movies. Newspaper is something that felt like a movie that fills that void.
This is run by Sarath and Kumara and later by Mashi but even in a very small role, the best actors in the industry scores. So it builds our confidence in the film. The crew has managed to keep that belief intact throughout the film. Especially Sarath Kumara (single name). The heartfelt friendship we feel behind the chemistry of the two actors is the factor that fascinates us throughout the film. Whatever it is, we feel safe with the idea that they are there for them. The graphics, the moment-to-moment music, and the silly interludes all help to maintain this feeling. The fire of all this can melt your eyes and flow in the final scene.
I thought Lewis' character should have developed a little more. At times, I even thought that they could have given him more dialogs without being that dumb. To me he is a character that is not clearly described. It's not an easy character to build. In any case, Mr. Thirimadura's acting is excellent. Lewis' words are gold in a difficult situation.
Usually the essence of a film is hard to put into words. It is something to be understood with a great philosophical and social study. However, in the end, it's the part of the film that stays in our memory and shocks us. Movies that have no such essence are quickly forgotten by us. We watch essence rich movies over and over again. We try to get a little more of that essence into our lives. The 'Newspaper' is a movie with a soul. The feeling we feel throughout the film connects us to those characters. We feel their feelings. Those bonds become our bonds. Behind that, there may come a moment where we judge ourselves.
This is a movie about dust. Dust none of us care. Likewise, this is also a story of people who are neglected. This movie shows it only need just a moment for anyone to be dust. Those who have power and wealth get rid of it, but it is not easy for normal folks to stay out of it. The ideals we believe in, the people who get paid to listen to our complaints, and the many people we trust will not come forward for us in such a moment. But too may often come forward to dust us off. That's what usually happens to us. So this is our story.
Finally, this is not a review. Just howl of a raven that has tasted something good. If you want to see a Sri Lankan movie, spread about this movie for others.
This is a modifies google translation of my Sinhala note about the movie.
