THE OFFICIAL WEB PROMO![CENTER]](http://[CENTER][url]http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/589/sanathmain.jpg[/url][/CENTER])
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Director's Note
“This story would have happened or could happen at any place, in any country, at anytime to any human being. The human mind is inconsistent and ephemeral, nothing is enduring or permanent which is the reality of this story.”
Sanath Gunatilake, Director
Why I selected a short story of Emile Zola?
The film Once upon a time is based on the short story Pour Une Nuit d’Amour written by Emile Zola (1840-1902), a French novelist, critic and political activist who was the most prominent French novelist of the late 19th century.
I have chosen this short story, not merely because it was written by a great writer, known for his masterpieces like Germinal, Nana, The Beast in Man, Drunkard, but because of the universal nature of the theme behind in this story : I think this same story or a similar story could take place or could have taken place at any time anywhere in the world.
This story transcends space and time because there is something common to the nature of all human beings living in this world.
I feel that the human nature represented in this work symbolizes those characteristics that are commonly accepted as human weaknesses or human qualities. In other words, I believe that this story constitutes a true reflection of humanity. Emile Zola’s very realistic approach to the philosophy of life inspired me to bring this story to the screen.
I was also impressed by Emile Zola’s strong personality and his genuine belief that truth will eventually triumph. This led me to make this cinematic adaptation of one of his powerful narratives : the famous essay he wrote in 1898 - I accuse! is an illustration of his frankness. His criticism of the Government the forces, the officers and the clergy resulted in Zola gaining recognition as a major figure in the political liberalization of France. This article unraveled the profound corruption that lay at the very core of French political and military life. He proved in this article that one day the truth will come out. Zola dien in 1902. Nevertheless, it was not until around 1950 that the real value and complexity of Zola’s literary work began to be appreciated. This fact also made a great impact in my mind.
Media Director : Buddhi9077,(FRED)
uba mewa dhanne hodhata inna apiwa naraka lamai karanna nedha 
