Lester James Peries facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sri Lankabhimanya Lester James Peries
ලෙස්ටර් ජේම්ස් පීරිස්
Born	(1919-04-05)5 April 1919 Dehiwela, British Ceylon
Died	28 April 2018(2018-04-28) (aged 99) Colombo, Sri Lanka
Occupation	Film director, Film producer and Screenwriter
Years active	1949–2006
Spouse(s)	Sumitra Peries (1964–2018; his death)

Sri Lankabhimanya Lester James Peries was a famous Sri Lankan film director, writer, and producer. Many people call him the "father of Sri Lankan cinema." He made movies from 1949 to 2006. During this time, he worked on over 28 films, including short films and documentaries.

He became well-known for directing movies like Rekava, Gamperaliya, Nidhanaya, and Golu Hadawatha. His film Wekande Walauwa was the first Sri Lankan movie ever sent to the Academy Awards. Also, Nidhanaya was picked as one of the top 100 films of the century by a famous French film archive.

Peries' films often showed everyday Sri Lankan family life. They were usually set in villages and featured characters facing challenges. He helped create a true Sri Lankan style of filmmaking.

Early life

Lester James Peries was born on April 5, 1919. His birthplace was Dehiwela, which is near Colombo, in what was then called Ceylon. His father, Dr. James Francis Peries, studied medicine in Scotland. He even played cricket for a Scottish team.

Lester's mother, Ann Gertrude Winifred Jayasuria, was the first person to graduate from St. Bridget's Convent, Colombo. Lester had three siblings: Erica, Ivan, and Noel. His family was Roman Catholic and mostly spoke English at home. They also celebrated Christian traditions.

Lester's only connection to Sinhala culture was his grandmother. She spoke proper Sinhalese and did not always trust Western medicine. When Lester was eleven, his father gave him an 8mm Kodascope projector. He used it to watch silent movies by Charlie Chaplin.

At that time, Lester and his brother Ivan loved going to the cinema. They watched foreign film series that played day after day. Lester never acted in school plays. He did not expect to become a film director. This was because Ceylon did not have its own film industry back then.

He went to St Peter's College, Colombo, a Catholic school. But he left at age 17 to become a journalist. He first worked for the Daily News. He wrote for their arts section. In 1939, he joined The Times of Ceylon. He also reviewed books on Radio Ceylon for a short time.

Lester's first real experience with production was joining a theater group. It was called Drama Circle. This group put on modern English plays. Lester helped with everything except acting.

Time in England

In 1947, Lester went to England. His mother suggested he join his brother Ivan Peries, who was there on an art scholarship. While in England, Lester wrote a column for The Times. It was called "Letter on the Arts from England."

Filmmaking was very popular in the UK then. There were about 400 amateur film clubs. Lester's love for cinema grew stronger. He met another Sri Lankan, Hereward Jansz, who also loved films. They decided to make a film together.

Their first short film, 'Soliloquy' (1949), won an award. It was for showing the best technical skills. They made three more experimental films after that.

In 1952, Lester was asked to interview the new head of the Government Film Unit of Ceylon. This person, Mr. Keene, knew about Lester's talent. He had been on a jury that gave Lester an amateur film award. Mr. Keene suggested Lester return to Ceylon. He thought Lester should start a career in filmmaking there.

Lester joined the Government Film Unit as Mr. Keene's assistant. He helped with documentaries like Heritage of Lanka. He also directed his own documentaries. These included Conquest in the Dry Zone and Be Safe or Be Sorry.

In 1955, Lester left the Government Film Unit. He wanted to start his own company, Chitra Lanka Limited. He planned to make Sinhala films. Only one film, Rekava, was made. His close friends from the Government Film Unit, William Blake and Titus de Silva, joined him. They worked together on many films.

Career

In 1956, Lester made his first big national film, Rekava. It was a story about village life. This film was nominated for a major award at the 1957 Cannes Film Festival. With Rekava, he changed Ceylonese cinema. He gave it a unique Sri Lankan identity. It was also the first Ceylonese movie filmed outdoors.

Even though Rekava was praised around the world, it did not make much money. After that, he made many award-winning films. Gamperaliya (1964) won the Golden Peacock award in India. Nidhanaya (1970) was chosen as the best film of the first 50 years of Sri Lankan cinema. It was also listed among the top 100 films of the century.

His film Wekande Walauwa (2002) received the UNESCO Fellini award. It was also Sri Lanka's first movie submitted for the Academy Awards. Lester James Peries directed over 28 feature films in his career.

Personal life

Lester met his wife, Sumitra, in Paris. She is also a film director. They got married in 1964. Lester's brother was the artist Ivan Peries.

Lester James Peries passed away on April 29, 2018. He was 99 years old.

Filmography

Short films

• Be Safe or Be Sorry - 16 min, 1955
• Conquest in the Dry Zone - 14 min, 1954
• Soliloquy - 12 min, 1951
• Farewell to Childhood - 14 min, 1950
• A Sinhalese Dance - 08 min, 1950

Awards and recognition

Lester James Peries received many important awards for his work:

• Cannes International Film Festival – "Fellini Gold Medal" in 2003 for his amazing film career.
• Sri Lankabhimanya – The highest award a civilian can receive in Sri Lanka (2007).
• Lifetime Achievement Award at the 31st International Film Festival of India (2000).
• Commandeur (commander) in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) from the French government (1997).
• Diploma of Honour at the Venice Film Festival for "Conquest in the Dry Zone" (1954).
• The Mini Cinema Cup for his short film "Soliloquy" (1951).
• Amateur Cine World Silver Plaque for "Farewell to Childhood" (1950).
• A national stamp was made in his honor on April 5, 2002.
• A type of orchid was named "Ascocenda Lester Peries" on March 11, 2004.
• April 5th was named "National Artist Day" in Sri Lanka.

The Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation

The Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation started on June 9, 2011. This foundation helps develop and promote Sri Lankan cinema. It also supports people who work in the film industry.

The foundation aims to encourage cinema and related arts for children and young adults. It also works to preserve all the films and writings of Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries. This includes their scripts, books, photos, and old film equipment. The foundation also helps create archives for other Sri Lankan filmmakers' works.

The foundation is based at the Peries' home. It organizes many events each year to celebrate past and present Sri Lankan films.

The "Lester James Peries Film Archive"

Lester James Peries always wanted a proper film archive in Sri Lanka. This archive would help protect the history of Sri Lankan films. On his 95th birthday, April 5, 2014, his wish came true. The National Film Corporation officially opened the "Lester James Peries Film Archives." This happened at the request of President Mahinda Rajapakse. The opening was followed by an exhibition of photos from Dr. Peries' life and work.

Literature and records

Lester James Peries wrote about twenty books. Some well-known ones are LJP Life and Works and Lester by Lester.

The Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation also produced a music CD. It has 21 songs from Peries' films. Some of his films have been restored and put on DVD.

See also

• Sumitra Peries
• Ivan Peries