‘NFC CREATING CRISIS IN FILM INDUSTRY’
Jayasri Emathithuma film producer Janitha Marasinghe is alleging that arbitrary actions taken by the National Film Corporation is creating a huge damage and loss to film producers like him and also to the film-going public in general. At a time when our film industry is undergoing a bad patch, this allegation against the Film Corporation comes as a shock to many. “I released my film on September 11 but we never got a single cinema in the Rithma circuit handled by the National Film Corporation. Following the film distribution crisis they have decided to discontinue ties with CEL and go solo. Cinema halls of Rithma (NFC) are requesting to screen my film but the NFC has blocked it and is not giving it to theatres for the 10% revenue they insist. “As a film producer I believe this is a huge injustice meted out to Sinhala movie goers. NFC should encourage producers, exhibitors and help take films to a wider audience. But they are now doing the opposite by discouraging film stakeholders. They are only worried about their revenue and profits. “We originally planned an April release with CEL with which we had a good working relationship. We screened the trailers in the CEL and NFC Rithma circuits. Rithma and CEL worked in harmony for years. But unfortunately after the April 21 Easter Sunday attack, we had to change minds and reschedule the release for an indefinite date. The friction between the NFC and film circuits continued. Then due to a court decision NFC got film distribution rights. NFC wanted to release my film. I gave it to them in June. On July 1, the NFC chairperson called me for a meeting. She wanted me to give a quick release. They promised as many halls as possible. Then Vijayaba Kollaya was also planning a mega release. Earlier Vijayaba Kollaya had planned an August 15 release. If it was August 15, I was ready to release my film. NFC Chairperson called Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne in my presence and confirmed the release date as August 1. If so I told them that I have no playing time with less than 3 weeks screening period. So I said I will wait for a release after Vijayaba Kollaya. Finally, distribution powers changed hands again on July 18 and I was given an early September release with CEL and NFC Rithma circuit. But unfortunately NFC refused to give me any of its halls to screen my film, because they apparently wanted to cut off ties with CEL with which they had worked for several years. I am thankful to CEL Managing Director G. Pathmaraj and all officials for their support to producers like me and the local film industry in general. But I am sad about the attitude of the National Film Corporation,” he said.