Prasanna Vithan

Some Lesser Known Facts About Prasanna Vithanage

• In the 1980s, he began his career as a theatre director.

  

• In 1986, he translated and directed Bernard Shaw’s play ‘Arms and the Man’ into Sinhala.

• In 1991, he translated and directed Dario Fo’s play ‘Trumpets and Raspberries.’

• In 1992, he began working as a filmmaker. During this time, he also started teaching and training young people in filmmaking.

• After writing, producing, and directing the film Pura Handa Kaluwara in 1997, he went on to make several other films, such as Ira Madiyama (2003), Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka (2012), Thundenek (2018), and Paradise (2023).

  

• In 2006, he returned to the theatre. He combined two short plays by Dario Fo into a popular Sinhala play called ‘Horu Samaga Heluwen,’ which was performed 150 times across Sri Lanka.

• In 2008, he also produced ‘Machan,’ an international co-production by Uberto Pasolini, which was well received upon its debut at the Venice International Film Festival.

• After that, many people started recognising him as one of the best and most important filmmakers in South Asia.

• He makes films on social, political, and cultural issues. His films have won lots of awards in Sri Lanka and around the world.

• Many film critics often praise his films for their innovative storytelling techniques.

• He has worked with the Indian film industry for many years. Since 2008, all his films have been co-produced with India.

  

• He is known for advocating against censorship laws in Sri Lanka.

• In 2015, his documentary film, Silence in the Courts, was first banned. After a legal fight, it became the first documentary to be shown in cinemas in Sri Lanka. The film was screened at many international film festivals before its release in Sri Lanka.

• He teaches cinema and runs masterclasses for young filmmakers in South Asia.

• Prasanna Vithanage works as a human rights and peace activist.