Screen queen says cabinet approval sought to give more power to National Film Corporation.

 

Sinhala cinema’s screen queen and UPFA Parliamentarian Malani Fonseka says the National Film Corporation should be strengthened with more powers to counter what she described as loopholes in the local cinema industry.

“The National Film Corporation was set up with the aim of protecting the film industry and its personnel, but today the motives have gone off track due to decisions taken in the past. The amendment to the NFC Act during the Chandrika Kumaratunga regime giving more powers to private distributors, has reduced the powers of the Film Corporation and today we see the drastic effects of such short-sighted decisions,” Ms. Fonseka told Reel Life.

“Due to discrepancies in the distribution sector, several film producers have been victimized. This trend has been aggravating gradually and it has reached hazardous heights now. This is why a group of film producers and directors formed a new forum to  control this situation. I am the patron of this forum. Though it does not directly come under my purview as a parliamentarian, I think I have all the right to intervene as a member of the film fraternity for the past few decades.  This is not a politically motivated mission, it's purely for the sake of the welfare of the Sinhala cinema,” she said adding that the earlier criteria of film releases were based according to the order  the film received censor board approval.

 

 

“Today, films from nowhere hit the theatres while uninfluential filmmakers have to languish for months or years with their films awaiting release. I don't talk about the quality or the production cost of films. Whether it is a low budget film or high budget film, it is a creation. Nobody can predict its success at the box office. That is left to the filmgoers. But there should be some sort of justice meted out to film producers and directors. We are seeking Cabinet approval for some amendments to the Film Corp. Act to find a solution to this monopolising actions by film exhibitors and film hall owners. Ours is a small industry with a limited number of halls, so all must be allowed to play a part in it without letting just a few to dominate,” she said.

“When I was offered an invitation to join politics, I was hesitant initially but later accepted it in good faith. President Mahinda Rajapksa has done a lot for the welfare of the film industry by way of concessions but why are we not making good use of those facilities.  On the other hand there is no control over the number of prints of new films. Some exceed forty to fifty copies which means that the chance of other films getting flow down facilities is blocked. I know that many people are not too happy about my involvement in politics. Though  I generally don't seek publicity for what I do, I have done a lot for the welfare of children and deserving schools in this country with my decentralized budget,” said Malani Fonseka announcing that besides producers and directors, other stakeholders in the film industry will also be allowed to join the new forum headed by Padmasiri Kodikara.  

 

 

By Vasantha Wimalasinghe