Directed by Lester James Peries
A seminal work in Sri Lankan cinema, Gamperaliya launched "a revolution, not only in the way films were made, but also in the content," according to producer Anton Wickramasinghe. Based on the novel by Martin Wickramasinghe, the film focuses on Piyal, a teacher and member of the new rising middle class, who falls in love with the daughter of his village's leading aristocratic clan. Defensive positions are assumed and the girl's parents insist upon a marriage to a stuffed shirt of her own class. For its elegant style, Gamperaliya has been compared to Satyajit Ray's "Apu Trilogy."
Cinelanka Ltd. Based on a novel by Martin Wickremasinghe. Producer: Anton Wickremasinghe. Screenplay: Regie Siriwardena. Cinematographer: William Blake. Camera: Gamini Fonseka. Editor: Sumitra Gunawardana. Cast: Punya Heeendeniya, Henry Jayasena, Wickrema Bogoda, Trelicia Gunawardena.
Presented in Sinhala dialogue with English subtitles. 35mm, 120 min.
