Sujewa Ekanayake premeired his feature "Date Number One" Saturday night in the DC, the City of Love. Chuck Tryon of the Chutry Experiment has an excellent review. (he beat us to it, dang it) However, we do have an interview with Sujewa we did a couple of months back and will run our own review very soon. In the meantime, get to know Sujewa. We're sure you will dig'em.

What led you into filmmaking? Say, as opposed to painting or punk rock?

Sujewa:   Awareness of mortality: yes, it's true, I may die one day.  So, "what awesome challenging (& legal) thing can I do (holding up liquor stores is out, not legal) during my time on earth?" was the Q I asked myself.  I had always been creative & a thinker, and had a good sales skillz & entrepreneurial bent (this was when I was taking a look at myself at 18), and Spike Lee was getting well known for his indie filmmaking activities, & I liked the movies in general, and I wanted to have a positive impact on the world, so I decided to become a filmmaker.  Indie filmmaking was the most accessible path to that goal.  And now DIY filmmaking is the most accessible path, as far as I am concerned, for that goal.  So I do that.  I also draw, maybe I'll paint one day.  I am pretty sure I'll start a indie/punk band one day.  Got an accordion that I am itchin' to play.

- Did you grow up in DC? If so, has it shaped your creativity or 'mindset', aesthetic?

Sujewa: I was born in Sri Lanka.  Moved to America at 12.  Maryland from 12 on.  Then I moved to DC proper around 19 or 20 years of age.  Lived in DC for about 6 years.  Now I live just outside of DC, in Kensington, MD.

The following things have heavily affected my mindset/creativity/aesthetic: 1.  The ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, 2.  The wars & the violence in Sri Lanka, 3.  The love-hate relationship developing countries have w/ the West, 4.  Buddhism (not a Buddhist, was raised in that faith, but now I use some of their useful ideas in my thinking), 5.  DC punk rock: Fugazi, The Nation of Ulysses, etc., 6.  Jim Jarmusch movies, Spike Lee movies, Rick Schmidt books, Hal Hartley movies.  7. Hot women.  That's just a few things off the top of my head.

- Give us some folks and work (film, music, books, art,) that have inspired you.

Sujewa: Some people: Spike Lee, Jim Jarmusch, Tom Waits, Ian MacKaye, Ian Svenonius, Rick Schmidt, Ani DiFranco, Mark Andersen, Jon Moritsugu, Sarah Jacobson, Todd Verow.  Some work:  Mystery Train, In On The Kill Taker, Jitterbug Perfume, The Unbelievable Truth, On The Road, Plays Pretty For Baby, She's Gotta Have It, Amelie, Northern Exposure, Nighthawks At The Diner, We Real Cool, Invisible Man, Drugstore Cowboy.

- How did "DNO" come about?

Sujewa: In an earlier movie I made, "Wild Diner", there was a date scene, possibly one of the most enjoyable scenes in that movie.  That got me thinking about doing a whole movie about a series of dates.  Then I wrote the script & shot the movie.

- Can you talk about the casting process abit?

Sujewa:  Posted Actors Wanted signs on the web & elsewhere.  Had an audition, 2 days long, saw about 40-50 actors.  Had them read a couple of pages from the script, selected actors that I thought would do a good job & would be easy to work w/ (of course I was wrong on a couple of those selections:), all in all it worked out very well in the end).

- What is your first priority when you make a film? Writing, directing, casting, editing   etc?

Sujewa: Every single item that makes up the movie is important for me.  Ultimately you have to deliver an excellent product/work of art/entertainment to the paying audience member.

- What has been the most challenging aspect of making the film?

Sujewa: I've had to master new technology (XL1s cam, Final Cut Express), so that slowed things down a bit.  Other then that, making a feature is a major commitment, I have at times been frustrated with the long period of production that a feature requires, but in general I am cool w/ it.  Making a good movie is hard work & a lot of work.  But for me it is definitely worth it.

-  You are one of the spear headers of the Indie DIYD? Can you talk about the genesis idea, your   expectations, etc. abit?

Sujewa: DIYD = Do It Yourself Distribution, for anyone who doesn't read our blogs daily :)  I was inspired by punk rock.  When I was in film school in Chicago I saw an album by a band called Fear (i think that was the name, early Dave Grohl band) and it was put out by a then unknown to me DC label called Dischord - that was my introduction to the punk DIY world.  I really don't have any special expectations besides seeing me do a good job making the movie available to interested customers.  And staying at least slightly profitable on the business aspect of things, no "living in the red" man :)

- In addition to making features, blogging, writing manifestos, DIYD, and God knows what else, how in the hell do you have enough hours in the day?

Sujewa: I have a flexible dayjob @ a bookstore that is a 15 min walk from my house, & a relatively simple life (no kids yet :).  I know people who have families & multiple jobs & still make art/do business, so it is possible to do, I guess you just have to be disciplined about how you use your time & resources.  Filmmaking & related activities are as important as eating or sex to me, so I make time for those things.

Thanks Sujewa. We really look forward to the film.