American Beauty (1999 film) inserted later on to show the low point that Carolyn and Lester's relationship had reached. Spacey and Bening worked to create a sense of the love that Lester and Carolyn once had for one another; for example, the scene in which Lester almost seduces Carolyn after the pair argues over Lester's buying a car was originally "strictly contentious". Principal photography lasted about 50 days from December 14, 1998, to February 1999. "American Beauty" was filmed on soundstages at the Warner Bros. backlot in Burbank, California, and at Hancock Park and Brentwood in Los Angeles. The aerial shots at the beginning
Lester James Peries birthday, his request was granted when the National film corporation ceremoniously opened the "Lester James Peries Film Archives" at the request of His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapakse. The event was followed by a photographic exhibition of Dr. Peries' life and works. Peries has written approximately twenty books. The most-well known of them are "LJP Life and Works" (Prof. A. J. Gunawardene), "Lester by Lester" (as told to Kumar de Silva) and "Lester" (Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne). A music CD was produced by The Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation containing 21 songs from Peries' films. Some of Peries' films have