05).Film Analysis (Sinhala / Tamil / Any genre))

Paththini (පත්තිනි) is a 2016 Sri Lankan Sinhala language epic - drama film written and directed by Sunil Ariyarathna and produced by Dr. Milina Sumathipala ,co -produced by Jagath Sumathipala and Thilanga Sumathipala on behalf of Sumathi films.

• Directed by - Sunil Ariyarathne
• Written by - Sunil Ariyarathne

                        Ilanga Ariyarathne

• Starring - Pooja Umashankar

                    Uddika Premarathna

                     Ravindra Randeniya

                    Lucky Dias

                    Aruni Rajapaksha

• Cinematography - Channa Deshapriya

• Edited by - Tissa Surendra
• Music by - Rohana Weerasinghe

• Production Company - Sumathi films

• Release date - 5 may 2016

• Running Time - 120 minutes

• Language - Sinhala 

The cinematic work, that premiered, in the presence of a discriminating assemblage of film enthusiasts, was, indeed a movie creation that, without even the shadow of a doubt, elevates Sri Lankan cinema tradition, to an exalted stature.

Paththini - the film that premiered, eliciting a joyous surprise from the privileged audience, is the creation of the experienced and erudite Director Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne, who is presently a combat – hardened warrior in the battle-field of Sri Lankan Cinema.

This time around, the Director, in his quest for a telling and impactful story-line, has settled for a highly sensitive thematic entity.

He builds his film on Paththini, the female folk-deity, who is at the core of a mass-cult, that is deeply entrenched in the collective ethos of the generality of people in this land.

• Themes

 

"Paththini" explores several themes deeply rooted in Sri Lankan culture and societal values. Some of the central themes include;

1. Devotion and Sacrifice: The film delves into themes of devotion and self-sacrifice, reflecting the Hindu goddess Paththini's attributes. It portrays the characters’ dedication to religious beliefs and personal sacrifices made for family and community.

Ex; Kannagi protecting his land.

2. Cultural and Religious Beliefs: The film highlights the significance of cultural and religious practices in shaping characters' lives. It explores how these beliefs influence their actions and decisions.

Ex; Madhavi's inclination towards Buddhism despite being of a different religion.

The monk of manimekala spread the Dhamma and she invited Kannagi to practice the Dhamma.

3. Social Status and Class: The film examines the impact of social status and class on individuals' lives and relationships. It often contrasts the lives of the privileged and the less fortunate, addressing issues of inequality and social hierarchy.

4. Family and Relationships: At its core, "Paththini" focuses on familial bonds and relationships. It portrays the dynamics within families and the conflicts and resolutions that arise from these relationships.

Ex;  Rejecting proposals from other men and waiting until Kannagi Kovalan returns .

Characters

 There are many characters of in this film .but kannagi (paththini) is a main role in this film .

kannagi

She is a beautiful woman who lives by protecting her love and respect for her master.

A good wife who works together with her loving partner to improve his life and save him.The injustice done to her by her husband did not remain in her mind because of her infinite love for him.

KovalanKovalan is a business man. He is married to Kannagi and is a loving husband who spends time happily.

But one who is blinded by lust .A person who has lost all his wealth and power because of lust.

madhavi,manimekala,in other characters of in this film.

Direction 

Director Sunil Ariyaratne, delved creatively into a multi-hued treasure-trove of indigenous myths, legends, fables, folk-tales, royal lore and historical episodes, to pick out his present thematic gem – the Paththini legend, which has continued to be a living and throbbing presence in Sri Lanka’s age-old folk-belief system.In the recent past there has been a highly conspicuous trend among film Directors, to mine the past or to explore folk lore, to come up with cinematic themes that will attract viewers in vast throngs.

Music (sound track)

• Paththini Devi        -praneeth Abeyasund-Nanda Malani
• Sudo Sudu            -Sunil Ariyarathna        - kasun kalhara / Uresha Ravihari
• Ran Hasun lolwana - Sunil Ariyarathna -Nirosha Virajini
• Punchi samanali     - Sunil Ariyarathne - Nirosha Virajini
• Sansare                    - Sunil Ariyarathna -Amarasiri Peiris 

Camera angles 

1. Close-Ups:  These are used to capture the emotional expressions of the characters, especially during key dramatic moments. This helps in creating a connection between the audience and the characters.

2. Wide Shots:  These shots establish the setting and provide context for the scenes. They are particularly useful in scenes that involve the surroundings and the socio-cultural setting of the film.

3. Medium Shots:  These are often used for dialogue scenes, focusing on interactions between characters while still showing some of the environment.

4. High Angles:  Used to portray vulnerability or inferiority of characters. They can also give a broader view of the setting.

5. Low Angles:  These create a sense of power or dominance, making characters appear more imposing or authoritative.

6. Over-the-Shoulder Shots:  Common in dialogue scenes to show the perspective of one character while focusing on the other, creating a sense of intimacy and involvement in the conversation.

The film's camera work helps convey the thematic elements and emotional depth, aligning with its narrative and cultural context.

lighting 

The lighting in "Paththini" plays a significant role in shaping the film’s mood and atmosphere.

1. Natural Lighting:  Much of the film relies on natural lighting to maintain an authentic and realistic look. This is particularly effective in outdoor scenes and helps to ground the film in its rural Sri Lankan setting.

2. Soft Lighting:  Soft lighting is often used to create a gentle and intimate atmosphere, especially in scenes involving personal or emotional moments. It helps in highlighting the characters' expressions and interactions without harsh shadows.

3. High Contrast Lighting:  In some dramatic or intense scenes, high contrast lighting might be employed to emphasize conflict or tension. This can create stark shadows and highlights that enhance the emotional impact.

4. Ambient Lighting:  The use of ambient light, which mimics the natural light sources present in the setting (like lamps or sunlight), contributes to the film’s realism and helps in integrating the lighting seamlessly with the environment.

5. Symbolic Lighting:  At times, lighting is used symbolically to reflect characters' states of mind or thematic elements of the film. For instance, brighter lighting might be used to depict moments of clarity or hope, while darker lighting could symbolize conflict or despair.

Visual Style

The visual style of "Paththini" is instrumental in conveying its narrative and emotional depth.

1. Naturalism:  The film employs a naturalistic style, using natural lighting and real-world settings to create an authentic portrayal of rural Sri Lankan life. This approach enhances the film’s realism and connects viewers to the characters and their environment.

2. Cultural Aesthetics:  The visual style incorporates elements of Sri Lankan culture, including traditional attire, local landscapes, and cultural practices. This adds to the film’s authenticity and helps in representing the socio-cultural context accurately.

3. Emotional Focus:  Close-ups and medium shots are frequently used to highlight characters’ emotions and interactions, drawing the audience’s attention to personal and emotional aspects of the story.

4. Symbolic Use of Space:  The film often uses spatial arrangements to reflect themes and character relationships. For example, the positioning of characters within the frame can symbolize their social status, isolation, or relationships.

Summary

 

Kanngi (pooja) born in the Chola Kingdom ,one of the three kingdoms in south india around 1500 years ago ,is happily married to Kovalan (Uddika) a millionaire .Kovalan attends the crowing ceremony of tge Chola dancing queen princess Madhavi (Aruni).Pleased with he performance the king wants Madhavi to indicate. whom she would pick to become her husband from among the wealth male guest present .She selects Kovalan.Spellbound by Madhavi 's beauty and her  dancing skills ,Kovalan too like Madhavi .The happy marriage crashes.Kovalan spend all his wealth on Madhavi .