Baddegama

Set in colonial Sri Lanka, this drama follows the struggles of a hunter named Silindu and his family in the village of Beddegama. The story focuses on their fight for survival against poverty, illness, and the oppressive nature of the British colonial system. As the family faces various hardships, the conflict reaches a peak when Silindu is accused of murder and put on trial. The plot is based on the 1913 novel The Village in the Jungle by Leonard Woolf.

The film was directed by Lester James Peries, who also co-wrote the screenplay with A.J. Gunawarda. Released in 1980, it is the second film in a chronological sequence of his works that includes Mangrove Island and Awaragira. The cast features Joe Abeywickrama as Silindu, Malini Fonseka as Punchi Menika, and Vijaya Kumaratunga as Babun. Other performers include Arthur C. Clarke as Leonard Sidney Woolf, Henry Jayasena as the Village Headsman, and Tony Ranasinghe as Fernando.

Audience reception is moderately positive, as shown by a 6.9 rating on IMDb based on 153 votes and a 6.6 rating on TMDB from 7 votes.