A cinematographer is a wizard. A master of illusion. He makes you see what he wants you to see. It is all about imagination. You know it is a film, and you know that they are just actors and actresses. But the cinematographer defies logic and reason. For the duration of the film you imagine that it is real. You enter into a sort of ‘pact’ with the cinematographer. The plot is so good, the actors and actresses so brilliant, but to create that magic, you need the cinematographer.
Donald Karunarathne was one such master of illusion. This Sri Lankan won 19 best cinematographer awards. We are told that it is a record yet to be equaled. In 2017 he was honoured by the President’s Lifetime Award.
He was a part of classics like Ahas Gawwa (1974), Ahasin Polawata (1978), Karumakkarayo (1980), Ganga Addara (1980), Kaliyugaya (1981), Dadayama (1983), Sagara Jalaya Madi Handuwa (1988), Golumuhude Kunatuwak (1991), Pon Mani (1993) (Tamil), Sakkarang (2016).
But what was it that made him such a legend? He was undoubtedly talented. All Cinematographers are able to use the camera to capture movement on film in the most dynamic way. And Karunarathne was someone who perfected this art in the films he worked in. Some say that all great cinematographers have a ‘sixth sense’. But this so called ‘sixth sense’, may in reality be simply a combination of experience and commitment.
He worked with every leading director of his generation. Was he at the right place at the right time? Possibly. Donald Karunarathne is no longer with us. But according to Somasiri Munasinghe, his chance meeting with Director Mike Wilson, set him on the path to greatness in film. This chance meeting proved to be a godsend. These directors had a vision. Karunarathne was the man who took a dream and turned it into a reality.
Donald Karunarathne has passed away at the age of 77 in Los Angeles, United States. The Daily News spoke to some of his colleagues in film, who shared with us what the legend Donald Karunarathne meant to them and what he meant to cinema.
Sri Lankan filmmaker, Boodee Keerthisena, met Donald Karunarathne in 1988-1989, at the height of the insurgency.
“There was this screenplay written by Kamal Addararachchi called ‘Redeem’. It was about the uprising of the university students and the whole background of what was going on in the country. I was looking for a cinematographer who could work with this. Then some of my friends advised me to meet Donald Karunarathne. At that time, he was already a legend and famous. He had worked with some of the biggest names in the industry,” said Keerthisena.
His first impression of Karunarathne, was that the great Cinematographer was a very simple man. But he was worried that Karunarathne would turn him down when he told him (Karunarathne) that this was a project with a small budget. Fortunately, Karunarathne agreed to be a part of the project. He told Keerthisena that he would love to do it.
“I asked him what kind of salary he expected, thinking he was a giant and he would quote a large figure. But Karunarathne said – ‘oh whatever you can afford!’. I was like WOW! So working with Donald was an amazing experience. He was a rebel at that time already. He wanted to do things that others would not do. And I was just like him. I was really amazed. We had a wonderful relationship and it was easy for us to work with each other. He was a teacher to me as well. He would never say no. In general, he would never say no to any shot. He would say – ‘let’s try and do this, this way or that way’. He would always take everything positively and try to do it. He was filled with so much energy and boundless enthusiasm, which was really great. He is undoubtedly a great influence on cinematographers of future generations. He understood the film language very well. At the age of 72, to me he was like someone in his early 40’s! He was so energetic! Of course everyone has differences when they work together. But he is a legend in local cinema. He was a very radical cinematographer when I met him. He was the most creative cinematographer I have ever met. I have wonderful memories of him. He would go beyond the call of duty,” explained Keerthisena.
Actor Ravindra Randeniya, says that working with Donald Karunarathne was a magnificent experience. He points out that Karunarathne’s immense talent and experience combined with his great sensitivity for the theme of the film, as he sees it through his lens, made his contribution add great value to every film he handled as the Director of Photography.
“There’s so much about him to remember. He was a man passionately committed to his profession. He had an unforgettable smile that eternally adorned his face, he had a great sense of humour and a most amicable personality. He was loved by all in the industry. He was just unique. He was simply unforgettable,” said Randeniya.
Randeniya went onto explain that Karunarathne was a pillar of strength for the discerning Sri Lankan film maker. He was the Director of Photography most sought after by the best of Sri Lankan film Directors, from Dr. Lester Peries, Sumithra Peries, Wasantha Obeysekera and Dharmasena Pathiraja.
Karunarathne has handled the camera in 61 outstanding movies and won the Best Cameraman Award over 20 times. His 60- year contribution is sufficient just to get a glimpse of what he meant to Sri Lankan Cinema. Karunarathne was invaluable and can never be replaced!
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