Aswesuma
{{short description|2001 film by Bennett Rathnayake}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Aswesuma
අස්වැසුම
| image = Aswesuma film poster.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| director = Bennett Rathnayake
| producer = Samanmalee Hewapanna
| writer = Bennett Rathnayake
| narrator =
| starring = Joe Abeywickrama
Sangeetha Weeraratne
Jackson Anthony
| music = Harsha Makalanda
| cinematography = Channa Deshapriya
| editing = Stanley De Alwis
| studio =
| distributor = CEL Theaters
| released = {{Film date|2001}}
| runtime =
| country = Sri Lanka
| language = Sinhala
| budget =
| gross =
}}
Aswesuma (The Compensation) is a 2001 Sri Lankan crime drama film directed by Bennett Rathnayake and produced by his wife Samanmalee Hewapanna.{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/020106/tv.html | title=Benette's debut film impresses| work=Sunday Times | accessdate=29 December 2019}} It stars Joe Abeywickrama, Sangeetha Weeraratne, and Jackson Anthony in lead roles along with Saumya Liyanage and Mahendra Perera in supportive roles.{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/001008/tv.html |title='Aswesuma' a film with a novel theme |work=Sunday Times |accessdate=11 March 2017}} The film was released on Visual Compact Disc (VCD) and Digital Video Disc (DVD) format by Torana Home Video in March 2003.{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/030323/tv/3.html#3 |title='Aswesuma' on latest digital format |work=Sunday Times |accessdate=30 November 2019}}
Cast
- Joe Abeywickrama as Guneris – Old age
- Jackson Anthony as Guneris – Young
- Giriraj Kaushalya as Hunter
- Saumya Liyanage as Thug 2
- Mahendra Perera as Thug 1
- Douglas Ranasinghe as Police O.I.C.
- Ravindra Randeniya as Doctor
- Susil Gunarathna
- Edward Gunawardhana
- Gamini Hettiarachchi as Complaint officer
- Sangeetha Weeraratne as Menika
- Nalin Pradeep Udawela as Kaseem
- Hemasiri Liyanage as Appuwa
- G.R Perera as Arnolis
Production and acclaim
The film is Based on John Steinbeck's novel The Pearl. It generally receives positive reviews from critics.{{cite web |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2002/01/07/fea02.html |title=Film Review: The Compensation (ASWESUMA), A splendid maiden effort |work=Daily News |accessdate=11 March 2017}} The film was critically acclaimed and won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Bombay International Film Festival. In 2001, director Rathnayake won the Platinum award for the Best Director at the 34th Houston International Film Festival.{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/010506/tv.html |title=Benette wins Platinum Award |work=Sunday Times |accessdate=27 November 2019}} In 2001, director won the critics award organised by the Federation of International Cinema Critics Association at the Mumbai International film festival.{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/011216/tv.html | title='Aswesuma' grabs international award | work=Sunday Times | accessdate=29 November 2019}}
The film was selected for the Montreal and Quebec City International Film Festivals as well as Moscow IFF, Singapore IFF, and Kerala IFF.{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/010812/tv.html |title='Aswesuma' travels to Canada |work=Sunday Times |accessdate=27 November 2019}} In 2001, the film was selected as an entry in the competitive section at the 25th São Paulo International Film Festival in Brazil as well as 4th International film festival in India.{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/011111/tv.html |title='Aswesuma' on the move again |work=Sunday Times |accessdate=28 November 2019}}
In 2002, film won the Don Quikoti, special jury award at the 7th Dhaka Film Festival. On 29 February 2002, the film was screened at Saint Joes Film festival{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/020210/tv.html | title=Ratnayake's 'Aswesuma' wins again| work=Sunday Times | accessdate=29 November 2019}} and then at Tiburon International Film Festival in USA starting from 22 March 2002.{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/020317/tv.html | title='Aswesuma' goes overseas| work=Sunday Times | accessdate=29 November 2019}} In 2002, director won Golden Reel award for the Best Director at Tiburon International Film Festival held at the Tiburon Playhouse Theatre in USA from 22–28 March.{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/020407/tv.html | title=Benette bags 'best director' award| work=Sunday Times | accessdate=29 November 2019}}
On 31 August 2002, the film was screened again at the Elphinston Theatre to donate a fund to help cancer patients.{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/020811/tv/1.html#1 | title='Aswesuma' to help cancer patients | work=Sunday Times| accessdate=29 November 2019}} In November 2002, the film was screened at the Calcutta International Film Festival.{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/021103/tv/1.html#1 | title='Aswesuma' in Calcutta | work=Sunday Times| accessdate=29 November 2019}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.films.lk/FilmDetails.php?id=1688 Sri Lanka Cinema Database]
- {{IMDb title|0355342}}
Category:2001 crime drama films
Category:2000s Sinhala-language films
Category:Sri Lankan drama films
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{{2000s-crime-drama-film-stub}}