Ho Gaana Pokuna Explained

Ho Gana Pokuna
හෝ ගානා පොකුණ
Screenplay:Indika Ferdinando
Director:Indika Ferdinando
Music:Dinesh Subasinghe
Cinematography:Channa Deshapriya
Studio:Next Frame Studio & Production
Distributor:Sunil T Films
Runtime:119 minutes
Country:Sri Lanka
Language:Sinhala

Ho Gana Pokuna (The Singing Pond) (Sinhala; Sinhalese: '''හෝ ගානා පොකුණ''') is a 2015 Sri Lankan children's musical drama film written and directed by Indika Ferdinando.[1] [2] It depicts a teacher in a remote village, Uma (Anasuya Subasinghe), teaching her students to focus on something they have never seen before.[3]

The film was awarded the Teacher's Choice Prize at the 31st Chicago International Children's Film Festival,[4] Best Feature Film at the 38th Lucas International Children's Festival,[5] [6] and the City of Zlin Award at the 55th Zlín Film Festival.[7] It had its world premiere at the Shanghai International Film Festival and was designated as the official selection at the Hanoi International Film Festival.[5] [8] [9]

Plot

A new teacher, Uma (Anasuya Subasinghe), arrives at a school with her first appointment in a remote village near Dambulla in Sri Lanka. The school has few students, with only the principal (Lucian Bulathsinghala) and Uma as the teacher. With the help of Uma the pupils gradually start to dream of bigger things than they ever imagined.

One day Upuli, a blind girl, shares her unseen dream with school friends Sukiri and Ukkun. It gradually becomes the dream throughout the village. The children and Uma encounter perils in their venture to realise this dream. The children of the school start to focus on something they have never seen before. This target gives rise to a small revolution.[10]

Film crew

The movie was directed by Indika Ferdinando. It was produced by Kusumsiri Liyanarachi, Yashodara Sarachchandra, Dayananda Liyanarachi, Shyama Athukorala, Bimal Fernando, Nirosha Fernando, and Geetha Muthumala. Principal photography was undertaken by Channa Deshapriya and editing by Thissa Surendra.[11]

Cast

Child actors

Musical score

The film's score and songs were composed and conducted by Dinesh Subasinghe.[13] [14] Vocals for the theme song, "Rata Pena Kiri Haawa", were provided by Thrishala Wijethunga with background vocals by Dewmini Fernando, Dinith Ridhmika, Banuka Senivirathna and Nishami Naizara.[15]

Sound track

The sound track of the movie was released on M Entertainment music. The musical score has been admired by the Hanoi film jury and Chicago media journalists. The soundtrack was recorded by Rajeewa Jayawickrama and finalised by Shashika Ruwan Maarasinghe in Chennai.[16] [17] [18]

Awards and nominations

International Awards

[19]

width=5%YearFilm FestivalCountryCategoryResult
201531st Chicago International Children's Film FestivalU.S.Special Jury award (Teacher's Choice) [20]
201555th Zlín Film FestivalCzech RepublicCity of Zlin Award,[21] [22] [23]
201538th Lucas International Children's Film FestivalGermanyBest Feature film award
2016SAARC Film FestivalSAARC countries
  • Best Screenplay-Indika Ferdinando *Best Editor-Tissa Surendra[24]

Awards in Sri Lankan Film Festivals

4th Derana Sunsilk Film Awards 2016

[25] Ho Gana Pokuna movie has got nine nominations & won six awards at the 4th Derana Sunsilk Film Awards 2016 at Nelum pokuna Thearter on 14 May 2016[26]

CategoryArtistResult
Best Original ScoreDinesh Subasinghe
Best Supporting ActorJayalath Manoratne
Most Popular Film SongDinesh Subasinghe
Best DirectionIndika Ferdinando
Best Screen PlayIndika Ferdinando
Best Art DirectorManjula Ayagama
Best Actor in a Negative RoleDayadeva Edirisinghe
Best Actress in a Supporting RoleJayani Senanayake
Best Movie & Most Popular MovieIndika Ferdinando,Kusum Siri Liyanarachi,Yashodara Sarathchandra,Sunil T Fernando,Bimal Fernando& Ananda Liyanarachi

Jury Awards

2nd Hiru Golden Film Awards 2016

[27]

CategoryArtistResult
Most Popular Film SongDinesh Subasinghe
Best EditingTissa Surendra
Best Sound DesigningSasika Ruwan Marasinghe
Best Comic RoleJayalath Manoratne
Best Original ScoreDinesh Subasinghe
Best Movie SongDinesh Subasinghe
Most Popular Child StarThishakya Kumarathunga
Most Promising directorIndika Ferdinando
Best Negative RoleDaya Deva Edhirisinghe
Best Screen PlayIndika Ferdinando
Best MovieIndika Ferdinando,Kusum Siri Liyanarachi,Yashodara Sarathchandra,Sunil T Fernando,Bimal Fernando& Ananda Liyanarachi

Jury Awards

36th SIGNIS Awards (OCIC) 2016

CategoryArtistResult
Best EditingTissa Surendra
Best Sound DesigningSasika Ruwan Marasinghe
Best Original ScoreDinesh Subasinghe
Best Supporting RoleJayalath Manoratne
Best Supporting RoleDayadeva Edirisinghe
Best ActressAnasuya Subasinghe
Best DirectorIndika Ferdinando
Best Screen PlayIndika Ferdinando
Best MovieIndika Ferdinando,Kusum Siri Liyanarachi,Yashodara Sarathchandra,Sunil T Fernando,Bimal Fernando& Ananda Liyanarachi

Jury Awards

33rd Sarasaviya Awards

[28]

CategoryArtistResult
Most Promising ActressAnasuya Subasinghe
Best Supporting ActorJayalath Manoratne
Best Original ScoreDinesh Subasinghe
Best lyricistindika Ferdinando,Kusumsiri Liyanarachi
Best CinematographyChanna Deshapriya
Best Sound DesigningSasika Ruwan Marasinghe
Best DirectorIndika Ferdinando
Best Screen PlayIndika Ferdinando
Best MovieIndika Ferdinando,Kusum Siri Liyanarachi,Yashodara Sarathchandra,Sunil T Fernando,Bimal Fernando& Ananda Liyanarachi

Presidential Film Awards 2017

[29]

CategoryArtistResult
Best Art directorManjula Ayagama
Best Film SongDinesh Subasinghe
Best Original ScoreDinesh Subasinghe
Best Supporting ActorJayalath Manoratne
best Upcoming ActressAnasuya Subasinghe

Box office

The film completed 100 days[30] and went up to 147 days until the release date of movie Paththini. It was a huge box office success in Sri Lanka and won the Highest Grossing movie Award at the 4th Derana Sunsilk Film Festival. The film was recorded as the first Sri Lankan movie to be released in Blu-Ray technology.[31]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sri Lankan Screened Films . Sarasaviya . 11 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161027023822/http://sarasaviya.lk/2016/10/20/?fn=sa16102020 . 27 October 2016 . dead .
  2. Web site: Ho Gana Pokuna: Inspiring and inspirational . Sundayobserver.lk . 2016-02-21 . 2016-05-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160221133618/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2016/02/21/spe-the-04.asp . 21 February 2016 . live .
  3. Web site: එන්න හීන දකින්න. Sarasaviya. 3 October 2016.
  4. Web site: 31st Chicago International Children's Film Festival. Facets. 20 January 2016.
  5. Web site: Laurels. Next Frame Studio. 20 January 2016.
  6. Web site: The LUCAS Awards. Deutsches Film museum. 20 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160128223336/http://www.lucas-filmfestival.de/en/about-lucas/prizes-competition/. 28 January 2016. dead.
  7. Web site: About film - 56th ZLIN FILM FESTIVAL - International film festival for children and youth. Emersion Software. Zlinfest.cz. 7 June 2015. 27 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150627111716/http://www.zlinfest.cz/en/film-detail?id=5535. dead.
  8. Web site: The Singing Pond . Haniff.vn . 13 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402102321/http://haniff.vn/en/tin-tuc/13-chua-phan-loai/228-the-singing-pond.html . 2 April 2015 . dead .
  9. Web site: 'The Singing pond' creates international ripples | The Sunday Times Sri Lanka . Sundaytimes.lk . 2015-10-25 . 2016-05-23.
  10. Web site: A refreshing movie, a tribute to teachers | The Sunday Times Sri Lanka . Sundaytimes.lk . 2015-12-13 . 2016-05-23.
  11. Web site: Cast & Crew . Hogaanapokuna.com . 2016-05-23.
  12. Web site: Anusaya in Ho Gaana Pokuna . Sarasaviya . 11 March 2017.
  13. Web site: Music of Ho Gaana Pokuna . Sarasaviya . 11 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180825144835/http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2016/02/11/?fn=sa1602118 . 25 August 2018 . dead .
  14. Web site: Ruwini Jayawardana . A rebel's music | Daily News Online : Sri Lanka's National News . Dailynews.lk . 27 November 2013 . 9 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150518150311/http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=features%2Frebel-s-music . 18 May 2015 . dead .
  15. Web site: Dinesh's global tempo .
  16. News: Susitha R. . Fernando. 3 February 2011. A Musical Revival in Lankan cinema. The Sunday Times. 3 February 2016.
  17. Web site: 'Ho Gana Pokuna' ::: Dailymirror.lk ::: Breaking News . Dailymirror.lk . 2016-05-23.
  18. Web site: Ho Gaana Pokuna plot . Sarasaviya . 11 March 2017.
  19. Web site: Next Frame Studio :: Director.
  20. Web site: Arts.
  21. Web site: 'The Singing pond' creates international ripples | the Sunday Times Sri Lanka.
  22. Web site: About film - 62nd ZLIN FILM FESTIVAL 2022 - international film festival for children and youth. 7 June 2015. 27 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150627111716/http://www.zlinfest.cz/en/film-detail?id=5535. dead.
  23. Web site: Awards at Zlin . filmfesthamburg.de . 11 March 2017 . 5 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160405083956/http://dev.filmfesthamburg.de/en/programm/Film/25001/Ho_Gaana_Pokuna . dead .
  24. Web site: Winners – SAARC Film Festival 2016 |. 20 June 2016. 6 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190506043835/http://saarcculture.org/2016/06/07/winners-saarc-film-festival-2016/. dead.
  25. Web site: Glowing accolades for Ho Gaana Pokuna . 22 August 2016 . 5 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160605052545/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2016/06/05/jun03.asp . live .
  26. Web site: The Glamour and Splendour at the Derana Sunsilk Film Awards 2016 – Beautiful you . Beautifulu.lk . 2016-05-23 . 3 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160603090312/http://beautifulu.lk/lifestyle/the-glamour-and-splendour-at-the-derana-sunsilk-film-awards-2016/ . dead .
  27. Web site: Hiru Golden Film Awards 2016 with Lux . 13 September 2016 . 27 September 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160927081332/http://www.hirugoldenfilmawards.hirutv.lk/award-winners.html . dead .
  28. Web site: The 33rd Sarasaviya Film Awards 2016 culminates with : A star-studded night. 17 December 2016.
  29. Web site: Presidential Film Awards - 2015 - National Film Corporation.
  30. Web site: 'Ho Gana Pokuna' passes 100th day | the Sunday Times Sri Lanka.
  31. Web site: Ho Gaana Pokuna in Blu-ray . Sarasaviya . 11 March 2017.