Lester James Peries
Encyclopedia
Sri Lankabhimanya
Lester James Peries (Sinhala: ශ්රී ලංකාභිමාන්ය ලෙස්ටර් ජේම්ස් පීරිස්) (born April 5, 1919) is an internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan film director, screenwriter, and film producer. An active filmmaker since 1949, Peries has been involved in over 28 films, including short
s and documentaries
. He has received critical acclaim for directing Rekava, Gamperaliya
, Nidhanaya, Golu Hadawatha, Kaliyugaya, Awaragira and Yuganthaya.
Peries's films often deal with Sri Lanka
n family life in rural settings and conflicted characters.
and his mother Ann Gertrude Winifred Jayasuria was a graduate of St. Bridget's Convent in Colombo. Jayasuriya notably was the first student to pass the Senior Cambridge exam at the school. Lester had three siblings: Erica, Ivan and Noel.
The Peries family was a Roman Catholic family that had become anglicized. Growing up Lester only spoke English at home and celebrated Christian traditions like Christmas
. His only link to Sinhala culture was his grandmother who didn't trust Western medicine and spoke Sinhalese. At the age of eleven Lester was given a 8mm
Kodasko projector
by his father as a gift, which ran Chaplin's silent movies. At that time, his only interest in films was when he and Ivan would haunt the cinema to watch foreign film serials which ran day after day. Lester was never involved in school drama productions, and had no idea he was going to be a film director especially since Sri Lanka did not have its own national film industry at that time.
He attended St. Peter's College
in Colombo as a teenager before dropping out to pursue a career in journalism
at the age of 17. He found his first work with the Daily News
writing for the blue pages which was an arts supplementation. In 1939 he joined the Times of Ceylon working under Indian editor Frank Moraes. He also reviewed books on Radio Ceylon
for a short period.
Peries first real work with production came when he joined a theater group called Drama Circle. This was a group of like minded individuals which regularly produced modern English plays. Here Lester was engaged in all aspects of the productions other than acting.
who was there on an art scholarship. Moreas suggested writing a column from the country to be published in the Times which became "Letter on the Arts from England."
During that time, filmmaking was taking off in the UK with about 400 amateur film clubs around the country. In addition, Lester's passion for the cinema was developing and he met another Sri Lankan with similar interests, Hereword Jansz. The two youngsters decided to make a film together despite Hereword having his doubts about competing with established, well-funded clubs. They began with Lester writing the script and directing while Hereword did the filming with their limited camera equipment.
Their first effort `Soliloquy` (1949), a short film, won the Mini Cinema Cup for displaying the best technical proficiency. This work was followed by three other experimental films.
In 1952, the editor John Hockin told Lester of an interesting assignment he had for him - an interview with the new head of the Government Film Unit of Ceylon. At the end of the interview, the head of film unit Mr Keene inquired after Lester's own interest in making films. He knew about Lester's talent because he sat on one of the juries that presented the upcoming director with an amateur's award. Keene suggested that Lester return to Sri Lanka to embark on a career on film making.
At this time, a second cousin of Lester's suggested starting a company to produce Sinhala films by securing funds and bringing down all the necessary equipment. Lester resigned from Government film unit in 1955 and entered into the partnership contract with newly formed Chitra Lanka Limited to produce 2 films of which only one in the name of "Rekava" became a reality.
Lester's closest colleagues at the Government Film Unit, William Blake, a cameraman of Dutch descent and Titus de Silva (Titus Thotawatte
), an editor, resigned with him and later worked together on a number of films.
Many of Lester's movies were critically acclaimed in international fora.
in Paris but they did not fall for each other until Sumithra returned to Sri Lanka to work as an assistant in Lester's first movie "Rekava". In 1964, Lester married Sumitra Gunawardene in All Saints Church, she has earned a name for herself as a distinguished directress today.
", which was a story based on village life. It was nominated for the Palme d'Or
at the 1957 Cannes Film Festival
. With this film he revolutionized Sri Lankan cinema, giving it a unique identity. It was the first Sri Lankan movie to be shot outdoors. Although it was acclaimed internationally it was not a commercial success. Afterward he made many award-winning films such as "Gamperaliya" in 1964 based on Martin Wickramasinghe
's famous novel; "Delowak Athara" in 1966; "Golu Hadawatha
" in 1968 based on the novel by Karunasena Jayalath; "Nidhanaya" in 1970; "Yuganthaya" in 1983 and many more. He has directed over 20 films.
Short Films
Autobiography- Lester by Lester James Peries. Lester talks about the 20 films he has made in 20 chapters, 212 pages with photographs in the book Lester by Lester released April 21, 2007 ISBN 978 9551266738 published by Vijitha Yapa Publications, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankabhimanya
Sri Lankabhimanya is the highest National Honor of Sri Lanka awarded by the President of Sri Lanka on behalf of the Government. It is conventionally used as a title or prefix to the name of the person who received the award. It is the highest civil honour conferred for exceptionally outstanding...
Lester James Peries (Sinhala: ශ්රී ලංකාභිමාන්ය ලෙස්ටර් ජේම්ස් පීරිස්) (born April 5, 1919) is an internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan film director, screenwriter, and film producer. An active filmmaker since 1949, Peries has been involved in over 28 films, including short
Short subject
A short film is any film not long enough to be considered a feature film. No consensus exists as to where that boundary is drawn: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all...
s and documentaries
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
. He has received critical acclaim for directing Rekava, Gamperaliya
Gamperaliya (film)
Gamperaliya is a 1964 Sri Lankan drama film directed by Lester James Peries; it was adapted from the seminal novel Gamperaliya by Martin Wickramasinghe. The movie was groundbreaking in Sinhala cinema shot entirely outside of a studio using one lamp and hand held lights for lighting...
, Nidhanaya, Golu Hadawatha, Kaliyugaya, Awaragira and Yuganthaya.
Peries's films often deal with Sri Lanka
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 family life in rural settings and conflicted characters.
Early life
Lester James Peries was born on April 5, 1919 in Dehiwela, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Lester's father Dr. James Francis Peries had studied medicine in ScotlandScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and his mother Ann Gertrude Winifred Jayasuria was a graduate of St. Bridget's Convent in Colombo. Jayasuriya notably was the first student to pass the Senior Cambridge exam at the school. Lester had three siblings: Erica, Ivan and Noel.
The Peries family was a Roman Catholic family that had become anglicized. Growing up Lester only spoke English at home and celebrated Christian traditions like Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
. His only link to Sinhala culture was his grandmother who didn't trust Western medicine and spoke Sinhalese. At the age of eleven Lester was given a 8mm
8 mm film
8 mm film is a motion picture film format in which the filmstrip is eight millimeters wide. It exists in two main versions: the original standard 8mm film, also known as regular 8 mm or Double 8 mm, and Super 8...
Kodasko projector
Movie projector
A movie projector is an opto-mechanical device for displaying moving pictures by projecting them on a projection screen. Most of the optical and mechanical elements, except for the illumination and sound devices, are present in movie cameras.-Physiology:...
by his father as a gift, which ran Chaplin's silent movies. At that time, his only interest in films was when he and Ivan would haunt the cinema to watch foreign film serials which ran day after day. Lester was never involved in school drama productions, and had no idea he was going to be a film director especially since Sri Lanka did not have its own national film industry at that time.
He attended St. Peter's College
St Peter's College, Colombo
St. Peter's College is a distinguished boys only primary to secondary school in the Bambalapitiya zone of Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was founded in 1922....
in Colombo as a teenager before dropping out to pursue a career in journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
at the age of 17. He found his first work with the Daily News
Daily News (Sri Lanka)
Founded in 1918, the Ceylon Daily News is an English daily that claims the largest circulation among peoples in Sri Lanka. It is now owned by the government of Sri Lanka....
writing for the blue pages which was an arts supplementation. In 1939 he joined the Times of Ceylon working under Indian editor Frank Moraes. He also reviewed books on Radio Ceylon
Radio Ceylon
Radio Ceylon is the oldest radio station in Asia. Broadcasting was started on an experimental basis in Ceylon by the Telegraph Department in 1923, just three years after the inauguration of broadcasting in Europe.- Edward Harper :...
for a short period.
Peries first real work with production came when he joined a theater group called Drama Circle. This was a group of like minded individuals which regularly produced modern English plays. Here Lester was engaged in all aspects of the productions other than acting.
Stay in England
In 1947 Peries traveled to England on his mother's advice to join his brother Ivan PeriesIvan Peries
Ivan Peries was a Sri Lankan painter, and a founder member of the 43 Group of Sri Lankan artists . Born near Colombo, from 1953 he lived in England...
who was there on an art scholarship. Moreas suggested writing a column from the country to be published in the Times which became "Letter on the Arts from England."
During that time, filmmaking was taking off in the UK with about 400 amateur film clubs around the country. In addition, Lester's passion for the cinema was developing and he met another Sri Lankan with similar interests, Hereword Jansz. The two youngsters decided to make a film together despite Hereword having his doubts about competing with established, well-funded clubs. They began with Lester writing the script and directing while Hereword did the filming with their limited camera equipment.
Their first effort `Soliloquy` (1949), a short film, won the Mini Cinema Cup for displaying the best technical proficiency. This work was followed by three other experimental films.
In 1952, the editor John Hockin told Lester of an interesting assignment he had for him - an interview with the new head of the Government Film Unit of Ceylon. At the end of the interview, the head of film unit Mr Keene inquired after Lester's own interest in making films. He knew about Lester's talent because he sat on one of the juries that presented the upcoming director with an amateur's award. Keene suggested that Lester return to Sri Lanka to embark on a career on film making.
Back In Ceylon
On Mr Keene's insistence returning to Sri Lanka in 1952, Lester joined the Government Film Unit as the assistant to the chief producer, Ralph Keene. Two major documentaries that he helped Keene with were `Heritage of Lanka` and `Nelungama` and he also directed `Conquest in the Dry Zone`, a documentary on controlling malaria and `Be Safe or Be Sorry`, a witty study on errant motorists.At this time, a second cousin of Lester's suggested starting a company to produce Sinhala films by securing funds and bringing down all the necessary equipment. Lester resigned from Government film unit in 1955 and entered into the partnership contract with newly formed Chitra Lanka Limited to produce 2 films of which only one in the name of "Rekava" became a reality.
Lester's closest colleagues at the Government Film Unit, William Blake, a cameraman of Dutch descent and Titus de Silva (Titus Thotawatte
Titus Thotawatte
Titus Thotawatte was a Sri Lankan director and editor. He made several popular and technically skilled Sri Lankan action movies in the 1960s and 1970s and later developed Sinhala children's programmes...
), an editor, resigned with him and later worked together on a number of films.
Many of Lester's movies were critically acclaimed in international fora.
Personal life
Lester met his future wife SumitraSumitra Peries
Sumitra Peries is a Sri Lankan filmmaker and Sri Lanka's Ambassadar to France in late 1990s. Her most popular film is Ganga Addara and married to a famous film director Lester James Peries.-Early life:...
in Paris but they did not fall for each other until Sumithra returned to Sri Lanka to work as an assistant in Lester's first movie "Rekava". In 1964, Lester married Sumitra Gunawardene in All Saints Church, she has earned a name for herself as a distinguished directress today.
Career
In 1956, Lester made his entry into national cinema with the globally acclaimed "RekavaRekava
Rekava is a 1956 film based on village life and their mythical beliefs in Sri Lanka . It is the first Sinhalese film which was fully shot in Ceylon and was the first in the country to be shot outdoors. It was also the first film which was free from Indian influence...
", which was a story based on village life. It was nominated for the Palme d'Or
Palme d'Or
The Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival and is presented to the director of the best feature film of the official competition. It was introduced in 1955 by the organising committee. From 1939 to 1954, the highest prize was the Grand Prix du Festival International du...
at the 1957 Cannes Film Festival
1957 Cannes Film Festival
-Jury:*André Maurois *Jean Cocteau *Maurice Genevoix *Georges Huisman *Maurice Lehmann *Marcel Pagnol *Michael Powell *Jules Romains...
. With this film he revolutionized Sri Lankan cinema, giving it a unique identity. It was the first Sri Lankan movie to be shot outdoors. Although it was acclaimed internationally it was not a commercial success. Afterward he made many award-winning films such as "Gamperaliya" in 1964 based on Martin Wickramasinghe
Martin Wickramasinghe
Martin Wickramasinghe , MBE was a Sri Lankan novelist. His books have been translated into several langues....
's famous novel; "Delowak Athara" in 1966; "Golu Hadawatha
Golu Hadawatha
Golu Hadawatha was a popular 1969 Sinhalese language romance film directed by maestro Lester James Peiris. The film stars Wickrema Bogoda and Anula Karunathilake in the lead roles. Based on a novel by Karunasena Jayalath, its screenplay was written by Regi Siriwardena. Music was by Premasiri...
" in 1968 based on the novel by Karunasena Jayalath; "Nidhanaya" in 1970; "Yuganthaya" in 1983 and many more. He has directed over 20 films.
Awards
- Sri LankabhimanyaSri LankabhimanyaSri Lankabhimanya is the highest National Honor of Sri Lanka awarded by the President of Sri Lanka on behalf of the Government. It is conventionally used as a title or prefix to the name of the person who received the award. It is the highest civil honour conferred for exceptionally outstanding...
The highest Civil Honour of Sri Lanka (2007). - Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 31st International Film Festival of India (2000)
- Commandeur (commander) in the Ordre des Arts et des LettresOrdre des Arts et des LettresThe Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is an Order of France, established on 2 May 1957 by the Minister of Culture, and confirmed as part of the Ordre national du Mérite by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963...
(Order of Arts and Letters) from the French government (1997) - Diploma of Honour Venice Film Festival for the film "Conquest In the Dry Zone" (1954)
- The Mini Cinema Cup for the short film "Soliloquy" for displaying the best technical proficiency by the Institute of Amateur and Experimental Film Makers Festival -Great Britain (1951)
- Amateur Cine World Silver Plaque for the experimental film "Farewell to Childhood" - ten best films of the year - Great Britain (1950)
Filmography
Feature Films- Amma Warune (An Elegy for a Mother, 2007)
- Wekande WalauwaWekande WalauwaWekande Walauwa is a 2002 award winning Sinhalese language film directed by Lester James Peries that follows the lives of wealthy people in Sri Lanka. As per the film director the story is inspired by Anton Chekhov's play The Cherry Orchard adapted to a Sri Lankan family context...
(Mansion by the Lake, 2002) - AwaragiraAwaragiraAwaragira is a 1990 Sri Lankan film directed by Lester James Peries.-Cast:*Joe Abeywickrama ... K.B. Sethigala*Kamal Addaraarachchi ... Dayaweera*Sanoja Bibile ... Vinitha*Vasanthi Chathurani ... Vasantha*Lucky Dias ... Wickrama...
(The Sunset, 1995) - YuganthayaYuganthayaYuganthaya is a novel written by Sri Lankan writer Martin Wickremasinghe and first published in 1949. It is the third and last part of Wickremasinghe's trilogy that began with Gamperaliya followed by Kaliyugaya....
(The Changing Village Part 3, 1983) - KaliyugayaKaliyugaya (film)Kaliyugaya is a 1981 Sri Lankan drama film directed by Lester James Peries; it was adapted from the novel Kaliyugaya by Martin Wickramasinghe, and follows the events of the film Gamperaliya....
(The Time of Kali - The Changing Village Part 2, 1982) - BaddegamaBaddegamaBaddegama is a 1980 Sinhalese language film directed by Lester James Peries that follows the lives of village people in British Colonial Sri Lanka. The film is based on the 1913 book The Village in the Jungle by Leonard Woolf. Sir Arthur C...
(Village in the jungle, 1980) - Veera Puran Appu (Rebellion, 1979)
- Pinhami (1979)
- Ahasin PolawataAhasin PolawataAhasin Polowata is a 1978 Sri Lankan drama film directed by Lester James Peries. The film stars Tony Ranasinghe as Sarath, an abusive husband who is haunted by his wife's death....
(White Flowers for the Dead, 1978) - Madol DuwaMadol DuwaMadol Duwa is a 1976 Sri Lankan drama film directed by Lester James Peries. The film stars Ajith Jinadasa as Upali, a young rebellious youth who travels to a small island to get away from the restrictive society around him....
(Enchanted Island, 1976) - The God KingThe God KingThe God King is a 1974 British-Sri Lankan historical film directed by Lester James Peries. The film is based on the historical clash between brothers Kasyapa and Moggalana on Sigiriya Rock....
(1975) - Desa NisaDesa NisaDesa Nisa is a 1972 Sri Lankan drama film directed by Lester James Peries. The film stars Joe Abeywickrema as Nirukada, an ugly man who worries that his blind wife will leave him if she regains her sight....
(The Eyes, 1972) - NidhanayaNidhanayaNidhanaya is a 1972 Sinhalese language film directed by Lester James Peries, starring Gamini Fonseka and Malini Fonseka. Movie is based on a short story written by G.B.Senanayake in one of his short story collection known as "The Revenge". It revolves around a murder which is committed for the...
(The Treasure, 1970) - Akkara PahaAkkara PahaAkkara Paha is a 1969 Sri Lankan drama film directed by Lester James Peries. The film stars Milton Jayawardena as Sena, a young man from a rural society who travels to the city to pursue a higher education....
(Five Acres of Land, 1969) - Golu HadawathaGolu HadawathaGolu Hadawatha was a popular 1969 Sinhalese language romance film directed by maestro Lester James Peiris. The film stars Wickrema Bogoda and Anula Karunathilake in the lead roles. Based on a novel by Karunasena Jayalath, its screenplay was written by Regi Siriwardena. Music was by Premasiri...
(Cold Heart, 1968) - Ran SaluRan SaluRan Salu is a 1967 Sri Lankan drama film directed by Lester James Peries. The film follows the parallel paths of Sujatha and Sarojini Perera ....
(The Yellow Robe, 1967) - Delovak AtharaDelovak AtharaDelovak Athara is a 1966 Sri Lankan drama film directed by Lester James Peries. The film stars Tony Ranasinghe as Nissanka, the son of a newly rich industrialist, who becomes embroiled in a murder cover-up....
(Between Two Worlds, 1966) - GamperaliyaGamperaliya (film)Gamperaliya is a 1964 Sri Lankan drama film directed by Lester James Peries; it was adapted from the seminal novel Gamperaliya by Martin Wickramasinghe. The movie was groundbreaking in Sinhala cinema shot entirely outside of a studio using one lamp and hand held lights for lighting...
(The Changing Village Part 1, 1964) - SandesayaSandesayaSandesaya is a 1960 film. The film based on the war between the Sri Lankan people and the Portuguese invaders in Sri Lanka. It was directed by Sri Lankan film director Lester James Peries. It was produced by K...
(The Message, 1960) - Rekava (Line of Destiny, 1956)
Short Films
- Be Safe or Be Sorry-16 min, 1955
- Conquest in the dry Zone-14 min, 1954
- Soliloquy-12 min, 1951
- Farewell to Childhood-14 min, 1950
- A Sinhalese Dance-08 min, 1950
Autobiography- Lester by Lester James Peries. Lester talks about the 20 films he has made in 20 chapters, 212 pages with photographs in the book Lester by Lester released April 21, 2007 ISBN 978 9551266738 published by Vijitha Yapa Publications, Colombo, Sri Lanka.