The News Paper
ද නිවුස් පේපර්
Sarath Kothalawala
Kumara Thirimadura
Sarath Kothalawala
Kumara Thirimadura
Bandula Gunawardane
Ravindra Guruge
H.D. Premasiri
Sarath Kothalawala
Kumara Thirimadura
Gihan Fernando
Dharmapriya Dias
Chandana Jayasinghe
Rukmal Nirosh
Gayathri Khemadasa
EAP Theaters
2 July 2020
103 minutes
Sinhala
A special screening of the film was held at the Savoy Premier Hall in Wellawatte on 29 June 2020. A special screening will be held on the 24 July 2020 at 4 pm at the Wilmax Cinema Hall in Anuradhapura. A special screening and dialogue of the film was held on the 3 September 2020 at the Savoy Premiere (Roxy) Cinema Hall, Wellawatte.
Story
Guna is a kind hearted man who lives a righteous life with his mother without burdening the country. Their lives are turned upside down by misinformation published on a newspaper. Guna and his family members are branded as terrorists by the villagers who read the newspaper. The villagers deciding to take the law into their own hands break Guna's limbs, sets fire to his house and drives his family out of the village. After this incident Guna is relegated to a homemade wheel chair and lives a poverty stricken life. Amongst the villagers he is only supported by his friend Luvis.
One day, Guna comes across a piece of a newspaper article at a market stall declaring that his brother was unjustly blamed for the bombing of an army bus. He shows the article to his mother and other villagers in an attempt to clear their family's name from unjust accusations and hatred. However, the villagers and village council mock Guna because the newspaper article lacks a title. Following his mother's advice, Guna decides to take the story to Colombo with the goal of getting it published on the front page.During their journey, Guna and Luvis face numerous obstacles as every newspaper they visit refuses to correct the false news. Meanwhile, a young journalist named Tharushi assists them along the way. In a turn of events, Luvis lands in jail after slapping the editor-in-chief, Senarath Iddamalgoda, of a particular newspaper company.
After getting bail, they again go to the newspaper company where Tharushi works, where they are told to get police clearance if they want their story published. Guna and Luvis come across a roberry and helps the Police to catch the robber. Afterwards the news spreads quickly to the gang leader, who starts a plan to frame and kill Guna and Luvis. Meanwhile, under the pressure of the Police chief, the newspaper editor agrees to publish the corrected story about Guna's brother. On their return journey back to their village, Guna is too slow and misses Luvis to catch the train at the Fort Station. Guna tells Luvis, that he will catch the next train. So Luvis gets on to the train headed back to the village. At the station Guna stumbles across an envelope packed with drugs, whilst Guna innocently tries to find the owner of the envelope he is shot and killed presumably by a gang member with the envelope still in his hand. When Luvis returns to the village, he comes across the dead body of Guna's mother, so he buries the body placing the corrected paper article on top of the grave. The next day, the headline of the newspaper cites a death of a drug dealer at the Fort, which was actually the death of innocent Guna.
Cinematography
The cinematography of The Newspaper plays a crucial role in setting the tone of the film. The use of natural lighting and realistic camera angles enhances the authenticity of the story. The cinematographer effectively captures the emotional depth of the characters, using close-ups to highlight their struggles and moral dilemmas. Wide-angle shots establish the social and political landscape in which the film unfolds, creating a visually compelling narrative.
Editing
The editing of The Newspaper is seamless, maintaining a steady pace that keeps the audience engaged. Transitions between scenes are smooth, with well-timed cuts that build tension and drama. Flashbacks and parallel storytelling techniques are used effectively to provide background on the characters and their situations. The editing ensures that the film flows naturally without unnecessary delays, making it impactful and emotionally engaging.
Acting Performances
Each actor brings a unique strength to the film, making the performances one of its standout aspects.
Signs and Codes
The film effectively uses semiotic elements to convey deeper meanings.
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Newspapers serve as a symbol of truth and manipulation, highlighting the power and consequences of media.
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Lighting and Color Tones: Darker tones emphasize the grim reality of the characters, while brighter tones are used sparingly to represent hope and justice.
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Body Language and Facial Expressions: The characters’ non-verbal cues add to the storytelling, conveying emotions like guilt, fear, and determination.
Conclusion
The Newspaper is a compelling film that sheds light on the ethical dilemmas surrounding journalism and justice. With its strong cinematography, precise editing, and outstanding performances, the movie successfully engages the audience while prompting critical discussions about truth and media influence. The use of semiotic elements enhances the narrative, making it a thought-provoking and socially relevant film in contemporary Sri Lankan cinema.
