5. Anantha Rathriya (1995)

Alternative title: Dark Night Of The Soul

Language: Sinhala

Director: Prasanna Vithanage

Running time: 87 mins

Starring: Swarna Mallawarachchi, Ravindra Randeniya

Adapted from a novel by Leo Tolstoy, Anantha Rathriya is an examination of the tortuous nature of a man's scruples. A young man seduces and impregnates his aunt's servant maid and refuses to help her. Twenty-five years later he has to sit on a jury when the woman, now a prostitute, is brought before the court on a murder charge. As the case is being judged, the man is wracked with guilt, remorse, despair and a burning desire to rectify his mistake of years ago. The multi-award winning film showcases the talent of director Prasanna Vithanage and his total ease with the medium.