Bambaru Avith (The Wasps are Here) () is a 1978 Sri Lankan Sinhala drama film directed by Dharmasena Pathiraja and produced by director himself with Thilak Godamanne for Saranga Salaroo. It explores tradition and exploitation following the introduction of capitalism to a tiny fishing village and the subsequent clash between the local boss and the urban outsider.
Plot
In a fishing village, Anton Aiya is an exploiter who outwardly resembles and acts like a regular fisherman, but he exploits and feeds off the other fishermen. Into this setting arrives members of the urban entrepreneurial youth. They have adapted to Western Culture, dressing like Westerners and preferring Western music.
Conflict arises between Anton Aiya and Baby Mahattaya (Victor), a representative of the urban youth. A middle-class leftist Weerasena is also of this group. The arrival of these youths has clearly caused a social crisis requiring a solution and all Weerasena can do is stand on a platform and deliver a speech that no one listens to. He finally leaves for the city.
Cast
Joe Abeywickrema as Anton Aiya
Vijaya Kumaratunga as Victor, Baby Mahattaya
Malini Fonseka as Helen
Cyril Wickramage as Cyril
Wimal Kumara de Costa as Weerasena
Amarasiri Kalansuriya as Sanath
Daya Thennakoon as Francis
Ruby de Mel as Celestina, Helen's mother
Somasiri Dehipitiya as Seba
Vincent Vaas as Anton's friend
Daya Alwis as Church father
W. Jayasiri as Michael
S. H. Somapala as Christopher
Piyasena Ahangama as Navy officer
Music
Premasiri Khemadasa composed the music for the film. The two main songs are "Udumbara" and "Handunagathoth Oba Ma."
Critical reception
Steve Rose of The Guardian, in a 2021 review of a restored version of the film, gave it a score of 4/5 stars. He wrote: "this realist drama from 1978 is well worth the effort, not only because it is a landmark of Sri Lankan cinema... but also because it addresses universal socio-political themes with elegant simplicity." He concluded: "Despite the realist authenticity and political intent, there’s also a gentle sensuality to the story, with soft folk music and moments of tender romance. The characters are believably complex and conflicted, and the sandy, sun-bleached landscape is evocatively portrayed. It feels like a precious snapshot of a place and time rarely glimpsed."
Awards and nominations
Sri Lankan representative at 1978 Moscow International Film Festival
Screened at Mostra and Los Angeles Film Festivals
Presidential awards for the Best Film and Best Director - 1979
OCIC awards for Best Film and Best Director - 1979
Named the fourth Best Sri Lankan Film of the first 50 years by a Presidential council Featured in the Cannes Classics 2020 - 4K film and sound restoration was carried out by L’Immagine Ritrovata using the sole-surviving 35mm film positive.