Valentine’s Day debut for Asoka Handagama’s Alborada

Friday, 11 February 2022 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Asoka Handagama

Asoka Handagama’s latest film Alborada (The Dawning of the Day) will be in cinemas from 14 February, Valentine’s Day.

The cinemas include PVR (One Galle Face), Scope CCC, Kandy CC, Amity Lite, Vista Lite, Cinemas of Ceylon Theatres and cinemas in the NFC Circuit.

The film Alborada drew the attention of international critics and audiences when it had its world premiere at the 34th Tokyo International Film Festival. The film is based on an incident that took place in Ceylon in 1929-31 when the Chilean poet known as the ‘poet of love’, Pablo Neruda served as the honorary consul of Chile.

After reading a review of Alborada published in El Mastrodor, the most widely read Chilean online magazine, world renowned writer Isabel Allende had commented to the reviewer Eda Cleary, a socio-political writer.

“Fascinating what you say about the film and its analysis of the toxicity of patriarchy, which is now finally being challenged. The ultimate goal of feminism is to replace patriarchy with a more just, egalitarian and kinder civilisation. I think it’s important to take the idols down from their pedestals, because they are flawed people, as we all are, but you can’t cancel their work. If we are going to destroy the work of poets, because they were sinners, we should also destroy the work of scientists, politicians, generals, inventors, musicians and so on. There would be nothing left,” said Isable Allende.

The principal cast of Alborada includes veteran foreign and local actors; Luis J. Romero (Spain) Anne-Sollene Hatte (French), Rithika Kodithuwakku, Dominic Kellar, Malcolm Machado, Nimaya Harris, Samantha Balasooriya, Adam Smyth, Thusitha Laknath and Kaushalya Mendis.

Other creative crew is comprised of Channa Deshapriya (DOP), Ravindra Guruge (Edit), Bimal Dushmantha (Production Design), Dinindu Jagoda (Colorist), Chathra Weeraman (VFX), Samarasiri Kandanage (Makeup), Piyathissa Akuramboda (Wardrobe) and Ajith Kumareasiri and Namini Panchala (Music).

Production staff is led by Iranthi Abeysinghe (Line Producer), Manjula Perera (Production Manager) and Vathees Warunan (Assistant Director).

The film is co-produced by Kumudini Haputhanthri, Chandu Haputhanthri, and Chandri Haputhanthri. For Sarasavi Cineroo, Alborada is produced by H.D. Premasiri.

A special discount of 20% from Sarasavi Bookshop, will be provided to those who watch Alborada within the first 10 days from the release in any of the cinemas.