Prasanna Vithanage

<div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex items-start overflow-x-auto whitespace-pre-wrap break-words flex-col gap-4"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light"><p>Udaya Prasanna Vithanage, born on March 14, 1962, is a highly regarded filmmaker from Sri Lanka. He is considered a pioneer of the third generation of Sri Lankan cinema. Throughout his career, he has directed eight feature films, including notable works such as "Death on a Full Moon Day" (1997), "August Sun" (2003), "Flowers of the Sky" (2008), and "With You, Without You" (2012). His films have received numerous prestigious national and international awards, and have also achieved commercial success in Sri Lanka.</p><p>In addition to his work in cinema, Vithanage initially ventured into theater where he translated and produced plays by international writers. He has also adapted works of world literature into film. He has been a vocal advocate against censorship in Sri Lanka and has contributed to the field of education by conducting Master classes for young filmmakers and enthusiasts in the subcontinent.</p><p>Life and Career:
1980s-1997:
In the 1980s, Prasanna Vithanage became involved in theater after completing his schooling. He gained recognition for translating and directing plays such as George Bernard Shaw's "Arms and the Man" in 1986. In 1991, he directed his first film, "Sisila Gini Gani" (Ice of Fire), which received critical acclaim and won multiple awards.</p><p>In 1996, Vithanage released his second feature film, "Anantha Rathriya" (Dark Night of the Soul), based on Leo Tolstoy's novel "Resurrection." The film garnered international recognition and accolades, including a Jury's Special Mention at the Pusan International Film Festival. It also received multiple awards at the Sri Lanka Film Critics' Forum.</p><p>The following year, Vithanage directed "Purahanda Kaluwara" (Death on a Full Moon Day), produced by NHK (Japanese Broadcasting Corporation). Despite facing initial censorship challenges, the film went on to win the Grand Prix at the Amiens Film Festival and became one of the most commercially successful films in Sri Lanka. In the same year, he also directed "Pawuru Walalu" (Walls Within), which earned Nita Fernando the Best Actress Award at the Singapore International Film Festival.</p><p>1998-2012:
In 2003, Vithanage completed his fifth film, "Ira Madiyama" (August Sun), which received critical acclaim and won numerous international awards. It became a prominent entry in the world festival circuit.</p><p>In 2008, Vithanage co-produced the successful film "Machan," a comedy directed by Uberto Pasolini. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival and won multiple international awards. The same year, Vithanage's sixth feature film, "Akasa Kusum" (Flowers of the Sky), premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and received widespread international recognition.</p><p>In 2012, his seventh feature film, "Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka" (With You, Without You), had its world premiere at the Montreal International Film Festival. The film, adapted from a novella by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, garnered critical acclaim and won several international awards.</p><p>2013-2017:
In 2013, Vithanage founded the 'Prasanna Vithanage Academy of Acting' in Sri Lanka to nurture aspiring acting students.</p><p>In 2015, he directed his first documentary feature, "Usaviya Nihandai" (Silence in the Courts), which delved into issues of social justice in Sri Lanka. The film faced initial challenges and was temporarily banned but eventually had a successful theatrical run.</p><p>2018:
In 2018, Prasanna Vithanage embarked on his dream project, "Gaadi - Children of the Sun." The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and later had its European premiere at the Rotterdam International Film Festival.</p><p>Personal Life:
Born in Panadura, a suburb outside Colombo, Sri Lanka, Prasanna Vithanage attended D. S. Senanayake College, a prestigious national school, for his secondary education. In 1991, he married actress Damayanthi Fonseka, who is the younger sister of renowned actress Malini Fonseka, a prominent figure in Sinhala Cinema.</p></div></div></div>