American Beauty (1999 film) "American Beauty" to the fledgling DreamWorks studio, which bought the script for $250,000, outbidding several other production bodies. DreamWorks financed the $15 million production and served as its North American distributor. "American Beauty" marked theater director Mendes' film debut; courted after his successful productions of the musicals "Oliver!" and "Cabaret", Mendes was only given the job after 20 others were considered and several A-list directors turned down the opportunity. Spacey was Mendes' first choice for the role of Lester, though DreamWorks urged him to consider better-known actors; similarly, the studio suggested several actors for the role of Carolyn until Mendes
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