Wasps are Here/ බඹරු ඇවිත් (1978)

බඹරු ඇවිත්/ WASPS ARE HERE (1978) - Sri Lanka
Dir: Dharmasena Pathiraja

My Rating - 4/5

Vijaya Kumaranatunga is a true 'Star', an Icon in Sri Lankan cinema, and whatever more, deserves every similar freaking title he got. An Incredible, speechless persona that I have rarely seen even in Hollywood. Young Clint Eastwood in Westerns paints a close image.

Screenshot from My laptop

About the film, it was almost perfect until the third act. Screenplay is sexy, amazing characterization, Top notch Acting from everyone, direction was also pitch perfect in every moment, except those love proposals. Don't know if we were this bad getting at it out always. I would've really loved it if there wasn't any "I love you" at all.

But for me, the third act was an ultimate failure. It was so interesting to see all the building up, the sheer beauty of all of it. But when the story was pointing towards somewhat of a climax, the director was obsessed with delivering a message, which didn't even come out as he would've expected. Made a mess of the ending, which the filmmaker barely managed to get away with the beautiful cinematography. Ending shot is genius, but the way it reached there in the end was somewhat sloppy in my opinion.

Background music is by Premasiri Khemadasa, and you just know how wonderful it is when it's all stuck in your head after watching, although I did feel like was overused at times. Cinematography is astonishing, and the film is a must watch solely because of that aspect. I mean, you've gotta see how the cinematographer grabs the Sri Lankan culture onto the lens. We don't see that kind of skill now, Believe me.

4750 hours spent on restoring the existed critical condition copy was worth every second of it. It's an insanely gorgeous print. No words can thank enough for this absolute marvel of a work.

IMDb Rating - 8.3