Bambaru Avith
Encyclopedia
Bambaru Avith is a 1978 dramatic film made by Sri Lanka
n director Dharmasena Pathiraja
. It explores tradition and exploitation following the introduction of capitalism to a tiny fishing village and the subsequent clash between the local boss and the urban outsider.
Conflict arises between Anton Aiya and Baby Mahattaya (Victor), a representative of the urban youth. A middle-class leftist Weerasena is also of this group. The arrival of these youths has clearly caused a social crisis requiring a solution and all Weerasena can do is stand on a platform and deliver a speech that no one listens to. He finally leaves for the city.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
n director Dharmasena Pathiraja
Dharmasena Pathiraja
Dharmasena Pathiraja is a Sri Lankan film director andscreenwriter.- Early life :Educated at Dharmaraja College, Kandy,Pathiraja graduated from the University of Peradeniya with an honours degree in Sinhala and Western Classical Culture in 1967. Subsequently he began work as a lecturer in Drama...
. It explores tradition and exploitation following the introduction of capitalism to a tiny fishing village and the subsequent clash between the local boss and the urban outsider.
Plot
The film is set in a fishing village. Anton Aiya is an exploiter who outwardly resembles and acts like a regular fisherman. He feeds off the other fishermen. Into this setting arrives members of the urban entrepreneurial youth. They have adapted to Western Culture, dressing like Westerners and preferring Western music.Conflict arises between Anton Aiya and Baby Mahattaya (Victor), a representative of the urban youth. A middle-class leftist Weerasena is also of this group. The arrival of these youths has clearly caused a social crisis requiring a solution and all Weerasena can do is stand on a platform and deliver a speech that no one listens to. He finally leaves for the city.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Joe Abeywickrema | Anton Aiya |
| Vijaya Kumaratunga Vijaya Kumaratunga Kovilage Anton Vijaya Kumaranatunga was a popular Sri Lankan film actor and politician, married to former Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga from 1978 to his assassination in 1988.- Family life :In 1978, Kumaratunga married Chandrika Bandaranaike, daughter of the... |
Victor, Baby Mahattaya |
| Wimal Kumara de Costa | Weerasena |
| Malini Fonseka Malini Fonseka Malani Senehelatha Fonseka is an award-winning Sri Lankan film actress, also known as the "Queen of Sinhalese cinema". Her cinema career which has spanned many decades began with Tissa Liyansooriya's Punchi Baba in 1968... |
Helen |
| Ruby de Mel Ruby de Mel Ruby Jasmine de Mel was a popular Sri Lankan actress. She often played bullying motherly characters.de Mel was born in Moratuwa to an anglicized Sinhala family and attended Princess of Wales College, Moratuwa and Newstead Balika, Negombo... |
Helen's mother |
| Amarasiri Kalansooriya | Friend |
| Daya Tennekoon | Francis |
| Cyril Wickramage Cyril Wickramage Cyril Wickramage is a critically acclaimed Sri Lankan actor, director and singer... |
Cyril |
Music
Premasiri Khemadasa composed the music for the film. The two main songs are "Udumbara" and "Handunagathoth Oba Ma."Awards and nominations
- Sri Lankan representative at 1978 Moscow International Film FestivalMoscow International Film FestivalMoscow International Film Festival , is the film festival first held in Moscow in 1959. From its inception to 1995 it was held every second year in July, alternating with the Karlovy Vary festival. The festival has been held annually since 1995....
- Screened at MostraVenice Film FestivalThe Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
and Los Angeles Film FestivalLos Angeles Film FestivalThe Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Times is an event held annually in June in downtown Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Film Festival began as the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival in 1995. The first LAIFF took place over the course of five days in a single...
s - Presidential awards for the Best Film and Best Director - 1979
- OCIC awards for Best Film and Best Director - 1979
- Named the fourth Best Sri Lankan Film of the first 50 years by a Presidential council