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Good quality films in the offing
by Zanita Careem
Film Corporation Chairman Tissa Abeysekera is determined to free the film industry from politics. This was disclosed at a press conference held recently at the film corporation premises.
"My vision is to free the industry from politics and to run the industry without the interference of the beaurocracy".
Mr. Abeysekera said that his plan is to resurrect the industry through a new programme of action based on a national film policy and on guidelines approved by the Cabinet.
The corporation hopes to cultivate a new film culture in the country. This will only be possible by producing and importing good quality films.
Further, good local production is a prerequisite. This could only be done by improving the technical infrastructure.
These objectives could only be achieved by setting up a production section , a film centre which would be a forerunner to the proposed film institute and a film publication bureau.
The National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka has been entrusted with the task of drawing up the final programme to translate the broad recommendations of the Policy statement into a realistic and practical work play.
To implement any policy the first step is to clearly decode and understand the thinking and the vision behind it. It is the responsibility of those concerned to explain and interpret such policy with a view to making that vision clear. For otherwise it leaves room for misinterpretations.
It is also quite natural for those implementing such a policy to discover certain difficulties inherent in the concepts as specified. To surmount such difficulties and implement the policy that brings out the vision behind it is the task before the National Film Corporation. We commit ourselves to this task, and we vow to make it a reality, and we seek your co-operation in this effort. We can expect such co-operation only if you are convinced that our mission is honest and progressive. Today we shall attempt to convince you as such by presenting to you in detail the programme we have drawn up to realise the aims of the pollicy described by the government.
The vision behind the policy as formulated by the government to restore the Sri Lankan film industry is quite simply that the people shall be the final arbiter. Behind that view is the firm conviction that film shall ultimately be for the people, that it will be maintained in the best interests of the people of this country.
A national cinema cannot be created contrary to the aspirations, the genius and the values of a people of a country. Not only the local product but even the imported film should reflect the choice of the poeple.
This is not a plea for narrow puritanism, nor vulgar populism. What we mean is that we are no more committed to the bad movie which claims our patronage merely because it is a local product. This also means that we accept the right of the Sri Lankan filmgoer to choose what he wants to see, whether it be the local or the foreign product, and through whatever medium, the big screen, or the tube, the Home Video or the Cable — if it is available. We respect that right of choice.
We shall draw up a slate of 10 films to be produced for both theatrical screening and broadcast television. The cost of production will be shared between television sponsors and the film corporation. High profile state corporations will be approached to pre-buy television rights. This sponsorship money will be set off against production costs and the negative costs will be raised by the corporation.
These 10 films will be allocated to both veterans as well as those who have established their potential on television. We need to create and nurse a new generation of movie makers.
It is intended to set up a film publications bureau, to edit and publish a quarterly journal, devoted to serious film studies. This bureau will also sponsor and publish translations of standard books on the cinema in Sinhala and Tamil as well as original writings in the vernacular.
Plans have already been drawn up to establish a Film Centre, which would be the forerunner to the proposed Film Institute. The film centre will have a regular programme of film classics and art films of recent origin, not available through the conventional channels of film exhibition.
The centre will also have a regular programme of seminars, discussions, lectures by invited film scholars, critics and filmmakers from abroad, workshops, etc. We shall also plan to conduct a regular Diploma Course in film studies, as well as an on-going course in acting for the screen.
Mr. Abeysekera said that the production services section will have three camera units, furnished with all modern technology like lighting and other sophisticated devices. These units will be hired on easy payment terms to local film makers. The film centre hopes to have a regular programme of good quality artistic films. It will also have a plan programme of seminars and discussions and lectures by foreign film scholars, critics and film makers.
In a bid to dissuade the cheap sex film trend, Mr. Abeysekera said negotiations have already been initiated with exhibitors and importers to give the people quality entertainment.
Promoting Sri Lanka in Switzerland
Kurt H. Illi and Tracy are and unusual and interesting couple from Switzerland. At an interview I had with them after their first ever visit to Sri Lanka, they were charmed by the beauty of our island and its happy people, inspite of all the sad things that keep reaching the rest of the country from the north. The purpose of the visit to Sri Lanka is to promote and participate in the Swiss Festival at the Hotel Lanka Oberoi. The couple, Kurt clad in dapper style and Trudy in a fresh and summery Swiss cotton dress, enthused over the beauty of their own country, the vistas of snow clad mountains, the lakes with gliding swans in them, the houses built into the hills and the bridges, besides the music, which includes yodelling. Sometimes early in the morning, a solitary yodeller will start up a song, when one by one others will join into create a rhapsody of harmonious sound. Kurt who is Managing Director at the Luzerm Tourist Board has come with the authority to set up a reciprocal exchange of cultures between Sri Lanka and Switzerland. To begin with he will be responsible for organising a series of food festivals full of Sri Lankan flavours and delights in several hotels in Switzerland. Also soon he will be promoting tourists from his country to come over here to savour the beauty of our tropical climes.
Trudy’s line of work is exciting. She looks after all the needs of ten to fifteen couples from Japan who fly every week into Switzerland to have their weddings there. The reasons for this she attributes to of the Japanese woman’s love for wearing western bridal dresses in flowing white, instead of the colourful kimonos of their own land, which is most times beyond their reach anyway. Besides this Trudy handles the whole package which includes, clothes, food, hotels and all the paraphernalia required for an event of this nature.
So we should be seeing more of Kurt and Trudy when he gets the mutual traffic from the two countries moving with full force in the near future.-Zanita
High Fashion
Romance in the airby Kirthi Sri Karunaratne
The Junior Chamber of Sri Lanka held their annual Awards Ceremony TOYP ‘99 at the Trans Asia Hotel to honour the Outstanding Young Persons of Sri Lanka. It was a gala evening of achievement and entertainment with the Minister of Justice, Constitutional Affairs, Ethnic Affairs and National Integration and Deputy Minister of Finance, Professor G. L. Peiris and his wife Savithri as Chief Guests. The minister made a inspired speech providing an incite into leadership, with his definitions and guidance to acquire this illusive quality. The invitation specified formal wear, and it was gratifying to see most of the men complying with the request. Of the eight male award winners seven of them favoured dark lounge suits, except for Ranjan Madugalle who cut a dashing figure in a light grey silk national costume.Among the ten recipients of the award were two women, one of whom Ajitha Kardirgamar Perera wore a striking saree in the combination of yellow and purple. Her kangiveram silk saree had a border and pallu in the purple, she teamed with a purple blouse and a necklace of amethyst beads.
Also in unusual and smart contrast was the saree Sharmini Serasinghe wore. The beautiful blue silk saree was bordered in green and worn with a below the elbow length sleeved green blouse. Her necklace was in deep blue agates and gold.
The saree Priyani Wickremaratne wore was of a bottle green finely checked in black, with a wide border in black, set a sparkle with star points of gold. She wore a long gold necklace and gypsy earrings in gold, for a sophisticated and stylish look.
Dinesha Weerakkody, the wife of Dinesh Weerakkody, who was also a winner this year favoured a long blue dress, which featured cutaway armholes, and a crisp white collar.
Providing one segment of the entertainment was the emerging singing sensation Bhatia and Santosh, with a grand finale of an orchestra of Sri Lankan drums. All in all it was a well organised celebration, which would have been perfect if the programme could have been condensed by at least a half hour.
There was romance in the air in the verdant garden in Mount Lavinia when Mahinda and Mary Fernando invited a small coterie of friends and relations, to witness the registration of their marriage and to dinner and dancing afterwards. Even though it was in the beautiful Mahinda Fernando abode, it was a five star evening with a sumptuous dinner, wine and toe tapping music from a group of musicians. To add the extra touch of glamour to the event was Dalrene who obliged with a spot of song even though she was there as an old friend.
Little flickering lamps lit the way to an awning set in banquet style with the foliage in the surroundings adding a relaxed and friendly ambiance.
Mary who was married under a tree with cascading grandfather’s beard providing an awning of natural beauty, with the registration table set on a bed of blossoms, wore a dress of simple elegance. The two piece ensemble consisted of a slim pale blue grey skirt, and a hip length top of an embossed fabric in a paler tone on the grey foundation. White sapphires sparkled at her neckline in the form of a necklace, and from her earlobes in a single long strand.
Flying all the way from England was Mahinda’s cousin Nimal Fonseka and his wife Dianne, who were here not only for the wedding, but to join Mahinda at midnight to celebrate their birthdays which falls on the same day. Dianne had her long sleeves in a sheer fabric on her simple long gown. The sleeves had subtle glitter on them with jet bead and sequin embroidery. She too wore a necklace and hoop earrings in the sparkle of white stones.
Another guest who came all the way from England was Beulah Carnahoff. Beaulah who is a Sri Lankan now domiciled in the west looked glamorous in a slim black skirt with a wide shimmering belt, she teamed with a gossamer beige and black shot organza top, prettily patterned in a design of roses on long stalks in a tone of beige. She wore large gold earrings and a fine necklace in gold and black.
Among the other guests were Srima Dissanayake, Kanthika Fernando, Ouida Keuneman and Khema de Costa who all opted for saree. Khema had her saree of grey bordered in the contrast of golden yellow. Shiranthi Pieris favoured a salwar kameez in orange, green and blue to wear with a gold necklace and earrings. Mano Anandappa combined her shot silk top of grey and auburn with a grey skirt, and Dalrene made her own fashion statement in a skirt and long top, in black and white, with a white turban and three necklaces, a strand of pearls, the other a string of black beads, with the third in gold with a gold pendent on it. A good time was had by all with gasps of admiration from guests at Mahinda’s collection of minatures, lined around four walls of a room.
The registration table was in idyllic surroundings.
Satyn goes on the Web with Lanka Internet
Satyn, which calls itself Sri Lanka’s exclusive magazine for women, has now gone on the web — the magazine recently announced the opening of its own web site through their internet service provider, Lanka Internet Services. Satyn is now on line; readers across the world will be able to visit Satyn’s web site hosted on the Sri Lankan Web Server. Subscribers too will be able to subscribe on line, says Ms Gayathri Fernando. Subscriptions Executive of Satyn Lanka Internet Services provides the site with an automated updating feature — together, Satyn staff and Lanka Internet Services web team will work together every month to keep an archive of two issues of Satyn on the web. Lanka Internet Services maintains many web sites and is hailed as a pioneer in internet services in Sri Lanka.
"We have a wide readership among Lankans residing in Australia, UK, Europe, USA and the Middle East", says Mrs. Nayomini Ratnayake Weerasooriya, Satyn’s Managing Editor, "Satyn going on the internet with our own web site now answers the need felt by these readers". Readers can now log on to Satyn web site at www. satyn.com and glance through two issues of the magazine at any given time. Satyn is printed monthly.
Satyn was launched eight months ago at a time when the magazine industry in Sri Lanka was getting into full gear — many magazines, mostly foreign owned and operated, have since then joined the fray. "We are a totally Sri Lankan owned and managed magazine — we understand the Sri Lankan female reader and she relates well to us. That’s our strength", Mrs. Weerasooriya confirms.
Satyn is already appointed the official women’s magazine for many prestigious women’s organisations — the Sri Lanka Housewives Association, The Sri Lanka Association of Personal Secretaries. The Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The Association of Business and Professional Women of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Association of Hair Dressers and Beauticians. The magazine is also available in flight on SriLankan Airlines. Satyn was recently associated with the "Women In Business" mega exhibition organised by the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the "Career Fair" organised by the Association of Business & Professional Women of Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the web site, the Asst. Marketing Manager for Lanka Internet Services says that they are happy to be associated with Satyn, which fills the void felt in the market place for a sound women’s magazine "We are happy to put Satyn on the web — undoubtedly, it would augur well for a Sri Lankan web site to host Satyn, as Sri Lanka’s exclusive magazine for women."
According to Ms Pramishka Perera, Satyn Marketing & Business Development Manager, the magazine reaches a cross section of Sri Lankan women — housewives and career women are not the only readers a considerable number of men also read Satyn. "We have now become an extension of the women’s magazine theme — Satyn is read by the whole family", concludes Mrs. Weerasooriya.
Your face is your fortune they say, but facial skin tends to age faster than any other part of your skin. Sothys has introduced a new lift defence cream the most innovating antiwrinkle and firming cream, to help maintain the beauty of your skin.
According to Miss Valerie Isoird of Sothys, this new defense cream acts on visible wrinkles, a treatment which protects and reinforces the skin’s resistance and prevents the appearance of new wrinkles. This product was launched simultaneously in Europe and Sri Lanka — an unusual event as normally Sothys products make their appearance in Sri Lanka very much later.
With more and more women becoming conscious of their beauty, Sothys has stepped in with their skin care products for the benefit of their customers said Valerie.
For visible anti wrinkle and forming results, we recommend to follow a course of 3 or 6 sessions of "lift defense institute treatment".
Liftdefense
The key stepsCatalyst Peel-Off Mask and precise work on wrinkles
This peel-off mask has a booster action to increase skin’s receptivity. What is more, it contains a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid) and papaya enzymes for a kerato-regulating action (refinement of corneus layer).
During the laying time of this mask, your beautician will perform on your face a very localised work on wrinkles, which she will have previously marked out with the Lift Lines strips. Each wrinkle receives specific movements — with the Lift Line Serum that contains ceramides and Aquafix (hydrating*).
Precise, technical gestures for a visibly efficient anti-wrinkle action.
Left Galbe — triple firming action
After the application of Lift Firming Serum with milk bioproteins, begins Left Galbe:
• Force 1: a relaxing massage with the Modelling Cream containing Antiglyskin: a delicious moment of well-being, but also an anti-ageing action.
•Force 2: application of Mask Gel with baobab (hydrating*) and wheat (lensor) extracts.
• Force 3: above Mask Gel, application of Firming Mask that takes the exact shape of face contours for an intensive lifting action of 15 minutes.
Lumilift
Then, Sothys thinks it is important for you to leave the cabin of your beautician with a luminous complexion: Lamilift cream will offer you a superb complexion thanks to its mica spangles while taking care of your skin (presence of a firming soya extract).
LIFT DEFENSE at home:
• LIFT DEFENSE creams
LIFT DEFENSE - Silky cream for normal to combination skins.
LIFT DEFENSE - Enriched cream for normal to dry skins.
Two creams for two skin types. Modern, very pleasant textures. Very soft on application! They are quickly absorbed by the skin and leave the epidermis soft and comfortable. To be used in the morning and/or in the evening.
• A new concept: double action anti-wrinkle cream
Action 1
Anti-wrinkle Repair to reduce in 28 days the number of deep wrinkles.
Action 2 Anti-wrinkle Prevention to durably defend skin again the appearance of new wrinkles.
This action is notably obtained thanks to the presence of an important active principle: Antiglyskin, anti-glycation ingredient. Among other ingredients present in the creams, one can find: Proteasyl-(pea), Reductine (oat), Photopreventine (lupine) and liposomed vitamin C (anti-radicals).
In Sri Lanka most of the salons will have this lift defense treatment.
Ramani Fernando who has been using Sothys for many years will introduce the lift defence institute treatment to her customers in all her chain of salons. Ramani will very soon open a new body care centre in Borella, equipped with modern technology in keeping with international standards.
The millennium at the Mount Lavinia Hotel
The Millennium no doubt will be a memorable occasion with various institutions conjuring various exotic plans. The Mount Lavinia Hotel is no exception, with gala dinners, show-stopping entertainment, non-stop dancing and a panel of Astrologers to guide you into the Millennium. However, what distinguishes the Mount Lavinia Hotel from the rest of the pack is the unique proposition of not requiring any money besides what you pay for your ticket to enjoy the Millennium celebrations. Therefore whatever venue you select at the Mount Lavinia Hotel, you can be assured of unlimited food and beverage — not to mention entertainment-all at the price of an entrance ticket. It is what we call "the no purse required" policy to ensure you truly enjoy your celebration of the Millennium — without the hassles that normally accompany such festivities.
Pool Terrace
The ‘Millennium Fever’ actually starts on the 30th of December, with a grand costume party and barbecue dinner.
On the 31st celebrations begin on a sedate note in the afternoon with a sumptuous ‘Tea for Two’ harking back to the days of the Governor and providing the perfect setting for a memorable view of the last sunset of 1999.
The showdown proper however commences at 9 p.m. with a sumptuous buffet dinner consisting of a mouthwatering fusion of both Oriental and Western cuisine. The cream of Sri Lankan talent would ensure the music is as memorable as the menu and would include household names like Manilal and Upekkha, Benji and Rozanne from Aquarius and Bhathiya, the local Maestro.
To add to the excitement every guest would receive a handful of ‘chips’, giving them the opportunity to flirt with Lady Luck at the gaming tables. The Millennium Casino, the first ever casino where you don’t part with your own money will be open to guests from the Terrace and the Ballroom. Those down on their luck and chips will be given an opportunity to replenish their ‘chips’ by singing at Karaoke Bar in the Lobby.
The Governor’s Dancers complete the picture with a memorable fireworks display from the barge off the Indian Ocean being the piece do resistance. At the stroke of midnight the traditional boiling of milk will take place in an enormous clay pot made for the occasion and as the new Millennium dawns a traditional Sri Lankan breakfast will ensure guests leave elated and well fed.
The Empire Ballroom
The Grand Empire Ballroom has hosted weddings, Court Occasions, State banquets, Royal parties for decades and is now the setting for a magnificent millennium celebration "The Governor’s Ball." Inside, the ballroom would take on a colonial air, with formal wear replacing the smart casuals of the Terrace. A dress code befitting the elaborate menu which includes Caviar from the Caspian Sea, Smoked Salmon from Norway, Beef from Argentina to other world renowned delicacies and a sampling of Sri Lankan cuisine from our Master Chef Publis.
The music of grand pianos and a sensuous re-enactment of the Legend of Lavinia would keep pulses racing. The Governor’s Dancers, a Millennium Queen, Mr 2000, tableside magic, guest spots by the cream of Sri Lankan bands — Manilal and Upekkha, Benjy and Rozanne with Aquarius and many more surprises will be included in the amazing line up not forgetting the chance to play at "The Millennium Casino." We don’t stop at that, when the clock strikes the new Millennium, we invite you to witness the mega fireworks display at the Poolside Terrace with drinks on the house.
Paradise Beach
The no purse policy continues on the Paradise Beach with a carnival atmosphere encouraging families to sample food stalls, kiddies hut, discotheque, loads of fun and unlimited beverage, all for a nominal price. Full time nannies would attend to the kids while Mariazelle, Ronnie Leitch, Stanley Pieris and the Fortunes and a host of popular DJs would make sure the adults are not neglected.
The Little Hut
For the craziest party with house music, acid jazz, progressive and techno for head banging youngsters to party the old millennium out and shake the new millennium in with DJ’s from Mars. Wear your craziest outfit, feast on scrumptious culinary delights and win air tickets and many more prizes. The Little Hut, the place to be for a really wild night out, yet again enforcing the ‘no purse required policy’.
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Are they full of Spice?Are they full of Spice? This is what one wonders when you meet the Spice E girls.
The Spice E girls came together through an advertisement in the National Entertainment Newspaper. The brainchild of this idea to have a lookalike and sing like a girl band was Darren Paul, the Manager of the Spice E group.
When the Spice Girls started singing they didn’t do any live performances for about a year. So the Spice E girls were a good alternative at that time. People can’t afford the real Spice Girls so we stepped in at the right time.
We are mistaken for the Spice Girls. "Whenever we go shopping, people flocked towards us saying "give us your autograph", says Posh Spice.
There’s Roya, the Scary Spice, Tall Sally, Lisa Baby Spice and Jennifer, Sporty Spice.
Experienced and friendly, they even imitate the dress sense of the Spice Girls. The group have travelled extensively all over. They have performed in Dubai, Bahrain, Turkey, Greece, Holland. They do enjoy performing for the Spice Girls.
Any regrets? "Definitely no" they burst out. Of course it was vigorous training and dance steps. They were in Sri Lanka to coincide with the 14th anniversary of the Library of the Trans Asia Hotel. They have been featured in smash hits that appeared on MTV and on Sky TV. They were flown in by British Airways. — Zanita
Virgo, which belonged to Mercury is the sixth house of the Zodiac. The sign depicts a virgin holding a bunch of corn and a lamp in a floating boat. It indicates the characteristics of the sign are movable. The lamp too gives a clue that it’s ready to move or any other matter at any time. On the other hand it indicates prosperity by the bunch of corn. The virgin also is a mark of prosperity and sensuality. Therefore, the person born in Virgo will be with the characteristics governed by these features.
They are impulsive, emotional and fond of learning. They have music and fine arts but lack of self-confidence. They are methodical and ingenious. They have active minds.
During their young days they show their intellegence. They are discriminating and national and get easily carried away by impulse. They are cautious regarding their own interests, prudent, economical, diplomatic and shrewd. They acquire much power and influence over others. They are liable to suffer from nervous troubles and paralysis when unholy planets are influencing the sign. When Sun and Mercury occupied the lagna they will be very intelligent.
For the present they are undergoing an unfavourable period. This bad time dawned due to the erashtake effects of Saturn and the movements of Jupiter in the eighth house. This position will remain till June 2000. Therefore, the period would be with lots of disappointments and change of residence. Mental worries and loss of wealth and obstacles in their day to day affairs. Mental unrest and anger without reason. Ill-health causing physical weaknesses also denoted.
After June 2000, they will have a good time that will come on them gradually with fulfilment of aspirations.- Sugathadasa Jayasekara
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