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Southeast Asian cinema
The Siam cinema in Siam Square with The Tin Mine by Jira Maligool on its marquee on May 26, 2005. The Tin Mine was Thailand's entry for Best Foreign Language Oscar.
The Siam cinema in Siam Square with The Tin Mine by Jira Maligool on its marquee on May 26, 2005. Southeast Asian cinema refers to the Film industry and films produced in and/or by natives of Southeast Asia. The Cinema of Burma (or Myanmar has a long history dating back to the 1910s Cinema in Cambodia began in the 1950s and many films were being screened in theaters throughout the country by the 1960s which are regarded as the "golden age" The cinema of Indonesia has a long history but at present is a small struggling industry The cinema of Malaysia revolves around a small Film industry that dates back to the 1930s The cinema of the Philippines has a history that can be traced back to the early days of Filmmaking in 1897, when a theater owner named Pertierra screened imported Despite having a flourishing Chinese and Malay film industry in the 1950s and 1960s Singapore 's film industry declined after independence in 1965 The cinema of Vietnam has a history that goes back to the 1920s and has largedly been shaped by wars that have been fought in the country from the 1940s to the 1970s Cinemas in Thailand are popular venues for entertainment Especially in Bangkok, the Movie theaters tend to be multiplex facilities offering many other forms Siam Square is a shopping and entertainment area in Bangkok, Thailand. The Tin Mine (มหา’ลัย เหมืองแร่ or Maha'lai muang rae) is a 2005 Thai biographical Drama film Jira Maligool ( Thai จิระ มะลิกุล born 1961 is a Thai Film director, Screenwriter and producer. The Tin Mine was Thailand's entry for Best Foreign Language Oscar.

The cinema of Thailand has a history that stretches back to early days of filmmaking, when King Chulalongkorn's 1897 visit to Berne, Switzerland was recorded by Francois-Henri Lavancy-Clarke. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj The history of film spans over a hundred years from the latter part of the 19th century to the beginning of the 21st century. Chulalongkorn ( Rama V) (royal name Phra Chula Chomklao Chaoyuhua; พระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว Year 1897 ( MDCCCXCVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common The city of Berne or Bern (, Berne, Berna, Romansh: Berna, Bernese German: Bärn) is the Bundesstadt ( Federal Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation The film was then brought to Bangkok, where it was exhibited. Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (krūŋtʰêːp máhǎːnákʰɔn) or Krung Thep ( for short is the Capital, largest This sparked more interest in film by the Thai Royal Family and local businessmen, who brought in filmmaking equipment and started to exhibit foreign films. The Chakri dynasty has ruled Thailand since the founding of the Ratthanakosin era in 1782 following the end of Taksin of Thonburi 's reign when the By the 1920s, a local film industry was started and in the 1930s, the Thai film industry had its first "golden age", with a number of studios producing films. The years after the Second World War saw a resurgence of the industry, which used 16 mm film to produce hundreds of films, many of them hard-driving action films. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Competition from Hollywood brought the Thai industry to a low point in the 1980s and '90s, but by the end of the '90s, Thailand had its "new wave", with such directors as Nonzee Nimibutr, Pen-Ek Ratanaruang and Apichatpong Weerasethakul as well as action hero Tony Jaa being celebrated at film festivals around the world. Nonzee Nimibutr ( Thai นนทรีย์ นิมิบุตร born in 1962 in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand) is a Thai Film director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (เป็นเอก รัตนเรือง born March 8, 1962 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a Thai Film Panom Yeerum (พนม ยีรัมย์ pʰanom jiːrɑm born on February 5, 1976 in Surin province Isaan Thailand better known in the West For every genre that Hollywood or other film industries offer, there is an example from Thailand that favourably compares.

Contents

History

The first Thai films

Auguste and Louis Lumière had a film exhibition that toured in Southeast Asia in 1897, and on June 9, 1897, “the wonderful Parisian cinematograph” was screened in Bangkok, and is the first known film screening in Thailand. Events 53 - Roman Emperor Nero marries Claudia Octavia 62 - Claudia Octavia commits Year 1897 ( MDCCCXCVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (krūŋtʰêːp máhǎːnákʰɔn) or Krung Thep ( for short is the Capital, largest [1]

That same year, the film of the visit to Europe by King Chulalongkorn was brought back to Thailand, along with camera equipment acquired by the king's brother, Prince Sanbassatra. Chulalongkorn ( Rama V) (royal name Phra Chula Chomklao Chaoyuhua; พระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว The prince, considered "the father of Thai cinema", made many films and his work was shown commercially. [2]

Japanese businessmen opened the first permanent cinema, the Japanese Cinematograph, in 1905. Japanese films were so popular that nang yipun became the generic term for all moving pictures. European and American films were called nang farang (after the nang drama (shadow puppet plays) that were a Thai traditional art). Farang (in Thai: ฝรั่ง sometimes pronounced falang, is the generic Thai word for a foreigner of European ancestry Nang yai is a form of shadow play found in Thailand. It is now confined almost exclusively to the southern part of the country Shadow play (Chinese 皮影戏 pi ying xi or shadow puppetry is an ancient form of Storytelling and Entertainment using opaque often articulated figures [3]

Under another member of the royal family, Prince Kambeangbejr, the Topical Film Service of the State Railway of Thailand was set up. The State Railway of Thailand ( Thai: การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย is the state-owned rail operator of Thailand. The service produced many promotional documentaries for the railroad and other government agencies and became an important training ground for many filmmakers. [4] One of the early works produced was Sam Poi Luang: Great Celebration in the North (Thai: สามปอยหลวง), a docudrama that became a hit when it was released in 1940. The Thai Alphabet (อักษรไทย àksŏn thai) is used to write the Thai language and other minority languages in Thailand [5]

A still photo from Miss Suwanna of Siam, one of the first Thai films.
A still photo from Miss Suwanna of Siam, one of the first Thai films.

Another of the first Thai films was Nang Sao Suwan, or Miss Suwanna of Siam, a Hollywood co-production with the Topical Film Service that was directed and scripted by Henry MacRae. Miss Suwanna of Siam, or Nang Sao Suwan, was a 1923 Romance film written and directed by Henry MacRae, set in Thailand Henry Alexander MacRae ( August 29, 1876 - October 2, 1944) was a Canadian Film director, producer and Screenwriter It premiered on June 22, 1923 in Bangkok at the Phathanakorn Cinematograph. Events 217 BC - Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV of Egypt defeats Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom. Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Unfortunately, Miss Suwanna has been lost over the years. [6]

The first all-Thai feature was Chok Sorng Chan (Double Luck), produced by the Wasuwat brothers' Bangkok Film Company in 1927 and directed by Manit Wasuwat (Thai: มานิต วสุวัต). Year 1927 ( MCMXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Thai Alphabet (อักษรไทย àksŏn thai) is used to write the Thai language and other minority languages in Thailand That same year, another film company, Tai Phapphayon Thai Company, produced Mai Khit Loei (Unexpected). [5]

Seventeen films were made between 1927 and 1932, but only fragments have survived, such as a one-minute car chase from Chok Sorng Chan[7] or a two- to three-minute boxing match from Khrai Di Khrai Dai (None But the Brave). Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. [8]

Hollywood would also make other movies in Siam during this time, including the documentary, Chang, by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, about a poor farmer struggling to carve out a living in the jungle. Documentary film is a broad category of visual expression that is based on the attempt in one fashion or another to " Document " reality Chang A Drama of the Wilderness ( 1927) is a Documentary film about a poor farmer in Siam ( Thailand) and his daily struggle for survival in the Merian Caldwell Cooper ( October 24, 1893, Jacksonville Florida, USA &mdash April 21, 1973, San Diego California Ernest Beaumont Schoedsack ( June 8, 1893 - December 23, 1979) was an American Motion picture Cinematographer [9] In making the film, they were assisted by Prince Yugala Dighambara, grandfather of modern-day filmmaker Chatrichalerm Yukol. His Serene Highness Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol (หม่อมเจ้าชาตรีเฉลิม ยุคล born November 29, 1942) is a

Robert Kerr, who served as assistant director to Henry MacRae on Miss Suwanna returned to Siam in 1928 to direct his own film, The White Rose. It was shown in Bangkok in September 1928.

The Golden Age

By 1928, the first "talkies" were being imported, providing some heavy competition for the silent Thai films. Year 1928 ( MCMXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A sound film is a motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image as opposed to a Silent film. In the tradition of the benshi in Japan, local cinemas had entertaining narrators to introduce the films as well as traditional Thai orchestras that were often as big an audience pleaser as the films themselves, and but within two or three years, silent movies had given way to the talkies. Benshi (弁士 in Japanese) or Katsudō-Benshi (活動弁士 were Japanese performers who provided live narration for Silent films

The first Thai sound film was Long Thang (Gone Astray), produced by the Wasuwat brothers, and premiered on April 1, 1932. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. Considered an ideological film in the period of political reform, the film proved a big success and led to the building of the Sri Krung Talkie Film Company in Bang Kapi. Bang Kapi (บางกะปิ is one of the 50 districts ( Khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. [10] It produced three to four films a year.

In 1933, Sri Krung made the first colour Thai film, Grandpa Som's Treasure (Pu Som Fao Sap). Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

This period up until 1942 is regarded by scholars as the "Golden Age" for Thai film. Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Among the hit films of this period was the 1938 musical, Klua Mia (Wife-phobia) by the Srikrung studio. The musical film is a Film genre in which several Songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative It was shot on 35-mm colour stock. 35 mm film is the basic Film gauge most commonly used for both still Photography and Motion pictures, and remains relatively unchanged since its The stars were Chamras Suwakhon and Manee Sumonnat, the first Thai actors to be recognized as movie stars by having their names painted on their chairs while filming at the studio. [11]

As the Second World War loomed, and the country being led by a dictatorship under Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram film companies were pressed into service to make propaganda films to whip up nationalism. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including A dictatorship is usually defined as an autocratic Form of government in which the Government is ruled by a Dictator. Field Marshal Luang Plaek Pibulsonggram ( Thai: แปลก พิบูลสงคราม or ป Propaganda is a concerted set of messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of large numbers of people The term nationalism can refer to an Ideology, a sentiment, a form of Culture, or a Social movement that focuses on the Nation

Opposition politics found their way into film, too, with statesman Pridi Phanomyong producing King of the White Elephant, in 1940. Luang Pridi Phanomyong, (born Nai Pridi Phanomyong ปรีดี พนมยงค์ 陳嘉祥 or 陳璋茂 May 11, 1900 – The King of the White Elephant (พระเจ้าช้างเผือก or Prajao Changpeuk; RTGS: Phrachao Chang Phueak is a 1940 Thai Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. With all the dialogue in English, Pridi hoped to send a message to the outside world that he was unhappy with the militaristic direction his country was taking. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States The film depicts the story of an ancient Siamese king who only goes to war after he's been attacked.

Film dubbing

The advent of sound raised another problem for cinemas in Thailand: the language of the talkies. Soon a dubbing method developed in which a dubber would provide a simultaneous translation of the dialogue by speaking Thai into a microphone at the back of the theater. In filmmaking, dubbing or looping is the process of recording or replacing voices for a Motion picture. Thai (th ภาษาไทย, transcription: phasa thai, transliteration:; pʰāːsǎːtʰāj is the national and The first Thai dubber was Sin Sibunruang, or "Tit Khiaw", who had worked for Siam Film Company and was the editor of the company's film magazine. Tit Khiaw and other talented dubbers became stars in their own right. They would perform all the roles in the films, both male and female, as well as such sound effects as animal noises, cars and gunfire.

Also, there were film companies that could not afford to make sound films, and would make films with the intention that they would be dubbed at screenings by live performers reading from a script. These dubbed films proved as popular as the talkies, especially if the dubber was well known.

Due to the extensive use of 16 mm film in the 1970s, the technique has lasted up until recent years, especially for outdoor screenings of films at temple fairs in rural areas. Examples of a dubber at work can be seen in contemporary Thai films, Monrak Transistor (2000) and Bangkok Loco (2004). Monrak Transistor ( Thai: มนต์รักทรานซิสเตอร์ English: Transistor Love Story)is a The year 2000 in film involved some significant events Events Top grossing films Please note that following the tradition of the Bangkok Loco ( Thai: ทวารยังหวานอยู่ or Tawan young wan yoo) is a 2004 Thai comedy - musical The year 2004 in film involved some significant events Major releases of sequels took place

Post-war years: The 16-mm era

A poster for the 1970 film, Insee tong, in which Mitr Chaibancha died while filming the helicopter stunt. His co-star in the film, and scores of others, was leading lady Petchara Chaowarat.
A poster for the 1970 film, Insee tong, in which Mitr Chaibancha died while filming the helicopter stunt. Insee tong (อินทรีทอง or Golden Eagle) is a 1970 Thai Action film starring Mitr Chaibancha and Petchara Chaowarat Mitr Chaibancha ( Thai มิตร ชัยบัญชา January 28, 1934 in Phetchaburi, Thailand - October 8, His co-star in the film, and scores of others, was leading lady Petchara Chaowarat. Petchara Chaowarat ( Thai: เพชรา เชาวราษฎร์ born January 19, 1943, in Rayong Province, Thailand) is

After the end of the Second World War, filmmaking got under way again in Thailand using surplus 16 mm black-and-white stock from wartime newsreel production. A newsreel is a Documentary film that is regularly released in a public presentation place containing filmed News stories

At least two Thai films were produced in 1946. One was an action film, Chai Chatree (Brave Men), directed by journalist-turned-filmmaker Chalerm Sawetanant. Action movies are a Film genre where action sequences such as fights, Shootouts Stunts Car chases or explosions either take precedence The screenplay was by writer Malai Chupinij, who would go on to script other films of the era, including Chao Fah Din Salai (Till Death Do Us Part). The other film noted by the National Film Archive for 1946 was an adaptation of a folktale, Chon Kawao (The Village of Chon Kawao). History The concept of folklore developed as part of the 19th century ideology of Romantic nationalism, leading to the reshaping of oral traditions to serve modern ideological [12]

The post-war boom in filmmaking really took off, however, with the use of 16-mm colour-reversal film, which was easy to obtain and make films with. The vividly coloured films were popular with audiences as well, prompting dozens of new filmmakers to enter the business. [13]

Similar to the dubbing of films during the pre-war years, some of these films used dubbers to provide dialogue and sound effects as the film was running, further adding to the entertainment value of the movies. In filmmaking, dubbing or looping is the process of recording or replacing voices for a Motion picture. From 1947 until 1972, 16 mm was the industry standard for Thai film production. [13]

The first hit of the era was 1949's Suparb Burut Sua Thai (Thai Gentlemen Fighters), which outgrossed Hollywood films at the local box office. That success prompted more enthusiasm for filmmaking, giving rise to the second "golden age" of Thai cinema. [14]

Move toward 35 mm

At the height of the 16-mm era, cinematographer and director Rattana Pestonji sought to use 35 mm film and generally improve the artistic quality of Thai films. Rattana Pestonji (รัตน์ เปสตันยี May 22, 1908 - August 17, 1970) was a Thai Film director, producer 35 mm film is the basic Film gauge most commonly used for both still Photography and Motion pictures, and remains relatively unchanged since its Most of his films are regarded today as masterpieces, including Santi-Weena, which was the first Thai film to be entered into international competition, at the 1954 Asia Pacific Film Festival in Tokyo, and 1961's Black Silk, the first Thai film in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival. The Asia Pacific Film Festival, first held in 1954 is Film festival held annually in an Asian country designated by the Board of Directors of the Federation of Motion officially, is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and located on the eastern side of the main island Honshū. Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Black Silk (แพรดำ or Prae dum) is a 1961 Thai Crime drama film written and directed by Rattana Pestonji. The Berlin International Film Festival, also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading Film festivals and most reputable media events held in Berlin

Though Rattana made relatively few films, he worked tirelessly to promote the industry, and died in 1970 as he was to make a speech to government officials about setting up a national film agency.

The 1970s and '80s

Thailand saw an explosion of locally produced films during the 1970s after the Thai government imposed a heavy tax on imported films in 1977, which led to a boycott of Thailand by Hollywood studios. This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays To pick up the slack, 150 Thai films were made in 1978 alone. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) Many of these films were low-grade action films and were derided by critics and scholars as "nam nao" or "stinking water".

But socially conscious films were being made as well, especially by Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol, a US-educated filmmaker and member of the Thai Royal Family, whose own family had been involved with filmmaking since the industry started in Thailand. His Serene Highness Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol (หม่อมเจ้าชาตรีเฉลิม ยุคล born November 29, 1942) is a The Chakri dynasty has ruled Thailand since the founding of the Ratthanakosin era in 1782 following the end of Taksin of Thonburi 's reign when the Among Chatrichalerm's films during the 1970s was Khao Chue Karn (Dr. Karn), which addressed corruption in the Thai civil service and was nearly banned by the military-dominated regime of Thanom Kittikachorn. See also Bureaucrat The term civil service has two distinct meanings Branch of governmental service in which individuals are hired on the basis Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn ( August 11, 1912 - June 16, 2004, Thai ถนอม กิตติขจร Chatrichalerm also made Hotel Angel (Thep Thida Rong Raem), about a young woman trapped into a life of prostitution. Prostitution in Thailand first was mentioned in the West in reports by European sailors visiting what was then called Siam as early as the 16th and 17th centuries He made dozens of films along these socially conscious lines through the 1990s, working up to his lavish historical epic, The Legend of Suriyothai in 2001. The 1990s collectively refers to the years between and including 1990 and 1999 The Legend of Suriyothai is a Thai film directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol, telling the history of Queen Suriyothai, who died in a battle in 1548 The year 2001 in film involved some significant events (For more about non-English films check sources in those languages

Another filmmaker active during this time was Vichit Kounavudhi, who made his share of action films as well as more socially conscious works like First Wife, about the custom of men taking "second wives" or "mia noi" – a euphemism for mistress. Vichit Kounavudhi ( Thai: วิจิตร คุณาวุฒิ, 1922-1997 born in Chachoengsao, Thailand) was a Thai Film director A euphemism is a substitution of an agreeable or less offensive expression in place of one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the listener or in the case of doublespeak A mistress is a man's long term female Sexual partner and companion who is not married to him especially used when the man is married to another woman Vichit also made Her Name is Boonrawd (1985), about prostitution around an American military airbase during the Vietnam War. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Prostitution is the act of performing Sexual activity in exchange for Money. The United States Armed Forces are the overall unified military forces of the United States For the military use of the facility see U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield U-Tapao International Airport, also spelled Utapao and The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia Vichit's best known works are two semi-documentary films, Mountain People (Khon Phukao), an adventure tale about a young hill-tribe couple, and Look Isan (Son of the Northeast), about a family of subsistence farmers in 1930s Isan. Hill tribe is a term used in Thailand for all of the various tribal peoples who migrated from China and Tibet over the past few centuries The 1930s were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression. Isan ( Isan /อีสาน also written as Isaan Isarn Issan or Esarn is the northeast region of Thailand.

Also in 1985, director Euthana Mukdasanit made Pee Seua lae Dawkmai (Butterfly and Flower), highlighting hardships along the Southern Thailand border. Euthana Mukdasanit (ยุทธนา มุกดาสนิท born May 25, 1952) is a Thai Film director and Screenwriter. Southern Thailand is a distinct region of Thailand, connected with the Central region by the narrow Kra Isthmus. Not only did the film help expose urban Thais to regional poverty, the film broke new ground in its portrayal of a Buddhist-Muslim relationship. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion It won the Best Film award at the Hawaii International Film Festival. The Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF is a Film festival held in the U

The 2000 film, Tears of the Black Tiger, was an homage to the Thai action films of the 1970s.
The 2000 film, Tears of the Black Tiger, was an homage to the Thai action films of the 1970s.

The Thai New Wave

By 1981, Hollywood studios were once again sending films to Thailand. Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Also, television (see also Media in Thailand) was a growing part of Thai culture. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic Thailand has a well-developed media sector especially by Southeast Asian standards This was a low period for the Thai film industry, and by the mid-1990s, studio output was averaging about 10 films per year. The 1990s collectively refers to the years between and including 1990 and 1999 [15]

In the wake of the Asian financial crisis in 1997, three directors of television commercials – Nonzee Nimibutr, Pen-Ek Ratanaruang and Wisit Sasanatieng – were thinking that films needed to be more artistic to attract investors and audiences. The Asian Financial Crisis was a period of Financial crisis that gripped much of Asia beginning in July 1997 and raised fears of a worldwide economic meltdown ( Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar A television advertisement or television commercial (often just commercial or advert (US or ad (UK is a span of television programming produced Nonzee Nimibutr ( Thai นนทรีย์ นิมิบุตร born in 1962 in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand) is a Thai Film director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (เป็นเอก รัตนเรือง born March 8, 1962 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a Thai Film Wisit Sasanatieng ( Thai วิศิษฏ์ ศาสนเที่ยง born April 25, 1964 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a

The first breakthrough was in 1997, with Nonzee's crime drama, Dang Bireley's and Young Gangsters (2499 Antapan Krong Muang), which earned a record box office take of more than 75 million baht. Dang Bireley's and Young Gangsters ( Thai: 2499 อันธพาลครองเมือง or 2499 Antapan Krong Muang) is a 1997 crime Also in 1997, Pen-Ek's crime comedy, Fun Bar Karaoke, was selected to play at the Berlin Film Festival – the first time in twenty years that Thai cinema had had any kind of an international presence. Fun Bar Karaoke (ฝันบ้าคาราโอเกะ or Fan ba karaoke, literally "dream crazy karaoke" is a 1997 crime The Berlin International Film Festival, also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading Film festivals and most reputable media events held in Berlin [15]

Nonzee's next film, the ghost story Nang Nak, was an even bigger success, earning 149. Nang Nak (นางนาก is a romantic tragedy and horror film directed by Nonzee Nimibutr in 1999 through Buddy Film and Video Production Co 6 million baht – the highest grossing film at the time.

Wisit, who wrote screenplays for Dang Bireley's and Nang Nak, broke out with Tears of the Black Tiger, a super-stylised western homage to the Thai action films of the 1960s and '70s. Tears of the Black Tiger (ฟ้าทะลายโจร or Fah talai jone, literally "the heavens strike the thief" is a 2000 The Western is a fiction Genre seen in Film, Television, Radio, Literature, Painting and other Visual arts. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 It was the first film to be included on the programme at the Cannes Film Festival. The Cannes Film Festival (le Festival de Cannes founded in 1946 is one of the world's oldest most influential and prestigious Film festivals alongside Venice,

There were also the Pang Brothers from Hong Kong, who came to Thailand to make stylish movies, starting with Bangkok Dangerous and the nod to J-Horror, The Eye. The Pang Brothers are Danny Pang Fat ( and Oxide Pang Chun ( twin-brother Screenwriters and Film directors born in 1965 in Hong Hong Kong ( officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is a territory located on China 's south coast on the Pearl River Delta, and borders Bangkok Dangerous (เพชรฆาตเงียบ อันตราย is a 1999 Crime film written and directed by The Pang Brothers J-Horror is a term used to refer to Japanese contributions to Horror fiction in popular culture The Eye ( also known as Seeing Ghosts) is a 2002 East Asian Horror film directed by The Pang Brothers.

According to some scholars the 1997 financial crisis also influenced Thai movies in another way. One example is Bang Rajan from 2000 by Thanit Jitnukul which is based on an old Thai tale about how a small village succeeded in resisting a huge foreign. The village of Bang Rachan was historically located north of Ayutthaya, the old capital of Siam and the predecessor state to modern Thailand. Tanit Jitnukul ( Thai: ธนิตย์ จิตนุกูล born in 1956 in Songkhla Province, Thailand) is a Thai film director The analogy is quite straightforward with Thailand as the small village and the international monetary market as the foreign enemy.

Thai independent film

With the New Wave directors achieving commercial and artistic success, a new crop of filmmakers has grown up outside the traditional and often restrictive Thai studio system to create experimental short films and features. The cinema of Thailand has a history that stretches back to early days of filmmaking, when King Chulalongkorn 's 1897 visit to Berne,

The leader of this indie movement is Apichatpong Weerasethakul, whose 2002 feature Blissfully Yours won the Un Certain Regard Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The year 2002 in film involved some significant events The first significant releases of sequels took place between Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Blissfully Yours ( Thai: สุดเสน่หา or Sud sanaeha) is a 2002 Thai Romance film directed by Un Certain Regard (lit A Certain Glance fig A certain outlook is a section of the Cannes Film Festival 's Official Selection The Cannes Film Festival (le Festival de Cannes founded in 1946 is one of the world's oldest most influential and prestigious Film festivals alongside Venice, Featuring a risque sex scene involving a Burmese man and a Thai woman in the jungle, the movie received only limited screenings in Thailand and a Thai-released DVD of the film was censored. The Bamar ( bəmà lùmjó also called Burman) are the dominant Ethnic group of Burma, constituting approximately 68% (30000000 of the population The Thai (or Tai) are the main ethnic group of Thailand and are part of the larger Tai ethnolinguistic peoples found in Thailand and adjacent countries DVD (also known as " Digital Versatile Disc " or " Digital Video Disc " - see Etymology)is Apichatpong's next film, Tropical Malady, featuring a gay romance between an army soldier and a young country boy, was a jury-prize winner at Cannes, and it, too, only received limited screenings in Thailand. Tropical Malady ( Thai: สัตว์ประหลาด or Sud pralad; RTGS: Satpralat is a 2004 Thai

Other indie directors include Aditya Assarat, Anocha Suwichakornpong, Pimpaka Toweera (One Night Husband), Pramote Sangsorn, Thunska Pansittivorakul and Sompot Chidgasornpongse. Aditya Assarat (born 1972 is a Thai independent Film director, Screenwriter, producer and Cinematographer. One Night Husband (คืนไร้เงา or Kuen rai ngao) is a 2003 Thai Thriller film directed by Pimpaka Towira Thunska Pansittivorakul (ธัญสก พันสิทธิวรกุล born October 22, 1973, is a Thai independent Film director

Censorship

Main article: Censorship in Thailand
See also: Motion picture ratings system in Thailand

All films, VCDs and DVDs are placed under scrutiny of the Censorship Board prior to public release, as stipulated by the Film Act of 1930, which remains in effect as of 2007. Freedom of speech in Thailand was guaranteed in the articles 39 40 41 in the 1997 Constitution. A motion picture rating system categorizes films with regard to suitability for audiences in terms of issues such as sex violence substance abuse profanity impudence or other types Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

The first board of censors included both men and women and was drawn from the ranks of aristocracy, the civil service and the police. Censorship is the suppression of speech or deletion of communicative material which may be considered objectionable harmful or sensitive as determined by a censor Each film passed by the censors had to include a stamp on each reel, and each item of printed advertising had to contain the stamp, too. The National Police was responsible for screening films and videos until September 2005, when the government's Ministry of Culture took over the function. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Every VCD and DVD sold for home viewing must bear a stamp that it has passed the Censorship Board.

On some VCDs and DVDs produced in Thailand, the censors sometimes take a hard line against depictions of nudity, sex, smoking, the presence of alcohol and guns being pointed at people, images that are forbidden on broadcast television. Nudity is the state of wearing no Clothing. The term' "nudity" can also occasionally be used to refer to wearing significantly less clothing than expected An organism's sex is defined by the gametes it produces males produce male gametes (spermatozoa or Sperm) while females produce female gametes (ova or Egg cells; individual Tobacco Smoking is the inhalation of smoke from burned dried or cured leaves of the Tobacco plant most often in the form of a Cigarette. In Chemistry, an alcohol is any Organic compound in which a Hydroxyl group ( - O[[hydrogen H]]) is bound to a Carbon A gun is a particular Weapon that propels Projectiles The projectile is generally fired through a hollow tube known as the gun's barrel. In other instances, violent acts might pass through uncut, but sex and nudity will be edited out.

Before the digital age, scissors and petroleum jelly were the tools of the trade for censors. A digital system uses discrete (discontinuous values usually but not always Symbolized Numerically (hence called "digital" to represent information for Petroleum jelly, petrolatum or soft paraffin is a Semi-solid mixture of Hydrocarbons (with Carbon numbers mainly higher than 25 Today the offending images are blurred out electronically. The effect of pixelization is so pervasive that the practice has been satirised in films, including 2004's action comedy, Jaew or M. Pixelization is a video- and image-editing technique where an image or part of it is blurred by displaying part or all of it at a markedly lower resolution The year 2004 in film involved some significant events Major releases of sequels took place A. I. D. , as well as the zombie comedy, SARS Wars. zombie is a reanimated human corpse Stories of zombies originated in the Afro-Caribbean spiritual belief system of Vodou, which told of the people being controlled SARS Wars ( Thai: ขุนกระบี่ผีระบาด or Khun krabii hiiroh, also subtitled Bangkok Zombie Crisis) is

Imported DVDs are generally not altered by the Thai authorities, though the Ministry of Culture's watchdogs do ban items, or at least strongly encourage retailers to not carry them. From the time the Ministry of Culture took over the censorship board until March 2006, about 40 VCD or DVD titles were banned, though a list of the banned items was not made available. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. [16]

In 2007, the independent film, Syndromes and a Century was to undergo cuts before public release in Thailand. Syndromes and a Century (แสงศตวรรษ or saeng satawăːt, literally Light of the Century) is a 2006 Thai Drama The censors objected to depictions of a Buddhist monk playing guitar, a physician kissing his girlfriend, some doctors drinking whisky in a hospital conference room and some monks playing with a remote-control flying saucer. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Director Apichatpong Weerasethakul would not make the cuts and withdrew his film from release in Thailand. It had previously screened in other countries uncut. [17]

After the controversy over Syndromes and a Century, the Free Thai Cinema Movement started to gain momentum in late April 2007. A petition signed by artists and scholars was submitted to the National Legislative Assembly, which was considering a new motion picture ratings system. This article describes the legislature of Thailand that existed prior to the military Coup d'etat of September 19, 2006. A motion picture rating system categorizes films with regard to suitability for audiences in terms of issues such as sex violence substance abuse profanity impudence or other types The proposed system, passed by the military-appointed National Legislative Assembly proved controversial as well, as it would not imposes ratings structure but also keeps censorship in place. The Council for National Security ( CNS) formerly known in English as the Council for Democratic Reform or previous name is the Council for Democratic Reform under This article describes the legislature of Thailand that existed prior to the military Coup d'etat of September 19, 2006. [18]

Genres

Action

Action films are a predominant genre of Thai film. During the 1960s and '70s, when Mitr Chaibancha and Sombat Metanee were the leading action heroes, hundreds of hard-hitting, explosive features were made. Mitr Chaibancha ( Thai มิตร ชัยบัญชา January 28, 1934 in Phetchaburi, Thailand - October 8, Sombat Metanee (สมบัติ เมทะนี born June 26, 1937 in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand) is a Thai Actor

In recent years, the martial arts films starring Tony Jaa, Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior and Tom-Yum-Goong, have put Thai action films on the international map. For other uses see Martial arts (disambiguation Martial arts film is a Film genre that originated in the Pacific Rim. Panom Yeerum (พนม ยีรัมย์ pʰanom jiːrɑm born on February 5, 1976 in Surin province Isaan Thailand better known in the West Ong-Bak Muay Thai Warrior (องค์บาก oŋbaːk also known in the United States as Ong-Bak The Thai Warrior is a 2003 Tom-Yum-Goong ( Thai: ต้มยำกุ้ง tôm jɑm kûŋ distributed as Warrior King in the UK as The Protector Kerd ma lui (Born to Fight) is in the same vein, and gives more exposure to action choreographer Panna Rittikrai, who toiled for decades making low-budget, direct-to-video action films featuring dangerous stunt choreography. Born to Fight ( Kerd ma lui) is a 2004 Thai Action film directed by Panna Rittikrai. Panna Rittikrai (born 1961 in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand) is a Thai Martial arts action choreographer, Film director

The culture of Thailand's B-movie stuntmen is further examined in the 2005 documentary, Crying Tigers, by Santi Taepanich.

Action comedies have also proven to be popular, including 2001's Killer Tattoo by Yuthlert Sippapak, who cast well-known Thai comedians, including Petchtai Wongkamlao and Suthep Po-ngam, in roles as bumbling hitmen. Killer Tattoo ( Thai: มือปืนโลก/พระ/จัน is a 2001 Thai action - Comedy film written and directed by Yuthlert Sippapak (ยุทธเลิศ สิปปภาค born November 8, 1966 in Loei, Thailand) is a Thai Film director Petchtai Wongkamlao, (เพ็ชรทาย วงศ์คำเหลา petɕʰtaːj woŋkʰɑmlaw born 1963 Yasothon Province, Thailand) is a Thai Suthep Po-ngam ( Thai: สุเทพ โพธิ์งาม also Thep Po-ngam is a Thai Comedian, Actor, Film director and

Animation

Thai animation got underway after the Second World War, when artist Sanae Klaikluen was asked by the Thai government to make a short animated cartoon that instructed Thai citizens to wear hats and farmers to wear boots. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including An animated cartoon is a short hand-drawn (or made with computers to look similar to something hand-drawn Film for the cinema, Television or computer

Sanae in turn influenced Payut Ngaokrachang, who made a 1955 short about a traffic cop called Haed Mahasajan. Payut Ngaokrachang (ปยุต เงากระจ่าง born April 1, 1929) is a Thai Cartoonist and Animator. Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) Payut went on to make Thailand's first and only cel-animated feature film, The Adventure of Sudsakorn, in 1979. The Adventure of Sudsakorn ( สุดสาคร, also The Adventure of Sud Sakorn, Sudsakhorn Adventure or Soodsakorn) is a Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar)

Because of the labour-intensive work involved with animation, it was cheaper for studios to make live-action films, so animation was eschewed. But in recent years, Thailand's technology community has sought to make the country a hub for computer animation, with many animated television shows, commercials and video games being created in Thailand. Computer-generated imagery Computer animation is the art of creating moving images with the use of Computers It is a subfield of Computer graphics

In 2006, Thailand's first computer-animated feature film was released, Khan Khluay, about King Naresuan the Great's war elephant. Khan Kluay ( Thai: ก้านกล้วย kankluːaj is a 2006 Thai computer-animated feature film set during Ayutthaya Naresuan ( 1555, April 25 - 1605 also sometimes called Naret or the Black Prince or Sanpet II, สมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช It is directed by Kompin Kemgunerd, on such Disney features as Atlantis: The Lost Empire and Tarzan and Blue Sky Studios' Ice Age. Walt Disney Animation Studios (as Walt Disney Feature Animation is a key element of The Walt Disney Company, and the oldest existing Animation studio in the world Atlantis The Lost Empire is the 40th Disney Animated feature produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Tarzan is a 1999 Animated feature film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures on June 18, Blue Sky Studios is a CGI animation studio which specializes in photo-realistic high-resolution computer-generated character animation and rendering Ice Age is a feature-length computer-animated Film created by Blue Sky Studios and released by 20th Century Fox in 2002 Although the work is being done on computers, Kompin has faced many of the same difficulties in funding and human resources that Payut faced.

Comedies

No matter what the genre of Thai film, most films – be they action, horror or romantic dramas, have some element of comedy.

One of the classic comedies from the 1960s is called Ngern Ngern Ngern (Money, Money, Money). The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 It starred comedian Mitr Chaibancha and Petchara Chaowarat in a story about the nephew of an unscrupulous moneylender who takes sides with a group of debtors against his uncle. Mitr Chaibancha ( Thai มิตร ชัยบัญชา January 28, 1934 in Phetchaburi, Thailand - October 8, Petchara Chaowarat ( Thai: เพชรา เชาวราษฎร์ born January 19, 1943, in Rayong Province, Thailand) is The remake of the film was done in the 1980s.

In 2005, the comedy Luang phii theng (The Holy Man) starring comedian Pongsak Pongsuwan as a street hood who poses as a Buddhist monk, was one of the top films at the domestic box office. The Holy Man ( Thai: หลวงพี่เท่ง or Luang Phii Teng) is a 2005 Thai Comedy film. Pongsak Pongsuwan (พงศ์ศักดิ์ พงษ์สุวรรณ born April 7, 1966) is a Thai Comedian and Actor Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices

Crime

Most of the films by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang have been crime films, from his debut feature 1997's Fun Bar Karaoke to 2006's Invisible Waves. Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (เป็นเอก รัตนเรือง born March 8, 1962 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a Thai Film A crime film, in the most general sense is a Film that involves various aspects Crime and the Criminal justice system Fun Bar Karaoke (ฝันบ้าคาราโอเกะ or Fan ba karaoke, literally "dream crazy karaoke" is a 1997 crime Invisible Waves (คำพิพากษาของมหาสมุทร is a 2006 Crime film by Thai director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang

A true-crime film, 2003's Macabre Case of Prom Pirom (Keunbab prompiram) by veteran director Manop Udomdej, about a 1977 murder-rape of a young woman in a rural village was controversial because the village where the case took place did not want the incident revisited. The film played at many overseas festivals, including the New York Asian Film Festival. The New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF was first held in 2002 growing out of the previous year's New York Korean Film Festival (which had in turn grown out of two year's

Another true-crime case about a cannibalistic serial killer in 1946 Bangkok was depicted in the 2004 film Zee-Oui. Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (krūŋtʰêːp máhǎːnákʰɔn) or Krung Thep ( for short is the Capital, largest "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again "

The Iron Ladies became a cult hit on the international film festival circuit.
The Iron Ladies became a cult hit on the international film festival circuit.

Gay films

Main article: Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender-related films of Thailand

Kathoey (transsexual/transvestite) or gays are often featured as comic relief or villains in mainstream Thai films, but there have been a number of films that make gays and kathoey the main characters. Transsexuals Transvestites and gays in Thai films are often portrayed as Comic relief or Villains The characterisations Transsexualism is a condition in which a person identifies with a physical Sex different from the one with which they were born This article deals with the history of the word 'transvestite' Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character or scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work often to relieve tension Transvestites and gays are also known as "tdoot", a term borrowed from the film "Tootsie" with Dustin Hoffman.

One of the first was Youngyooth Thongkonthun's Iron Ladies, or Satree lek, based on a true story about a transsexual/transvestite gay men's volleyball team that won a national championship in 1996. The Iron Ladies ( Thai: สตรีเหล็ก or Satree lek) is a Thai Comedy film from the year 2000. In the English language, gay is an Adjective that in modern usage refers to Homosexuality. It was a huge hit on the international festival circuit. The 2000 comedy spawned a sequel in 2003, The Iron Ladies 2 (Satree lek 2).

More loosely based on a true incident was the 2002 film Saving Private Tootsie, which tells the story of a group of gay and kathoey entertainers who are lost in rebel-held jungle territory after their plane crashes . A squad from the Thai army, led by a gruff, homophobic sergeant played by veteran actor Sorapong Chatree, goes to the rescue. Sorapong Chatree (สรพงษ์ ชาตรี born December 8, 1950 in Ayutthaya Province) is a Thai film Actor.

And the life of transgendered Muay Thai champion Parinya Kiatbusaba (or Nong Tum) is related in 2003's Beautiful Boxer, directed by Ekachai Uekorngtham. Transgender (trænzˈdʒɛndɚ from ( Latin) derivatives Muay Thai ( IPA: /muɑɪtʰɑɪ/ muāitʰāi มวยไทย lit Parinya Kiatbusaba or Parinya Charoenphol (born 1981 more popularly known as Nong Thoom, Nong Toom or Nong Tum (น้องตุ้ม Ekachai Uekrongtham ( Thai: เอกชัย เอื้อครองธรรม Chinese: 吕翼谋 is a Thai theatre and film director Unlike The Iron Ladies, Beautiful Boxer was less comedic in tone.

The 2003 film Tropical Malady, directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, depicts a romance between a Thai army soldier and a local small-town boy. Tropical Malady ( Thai: สัตว์ประหลาด or Sud pralad; RTGS: Satpralat is a 2004 Thai The narrative of the film then abruptly shifts in the middle to relate a folk tale about a tiger shaman, with the soldier alone in the jungle, haunted by the tiger-shaman's spirit. History The concept of folklore developed as part of the 19th century ideology of Romantic nationalism, leading to the reshaping of oral traditions to serve modern ideological The film won a jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The Cannes Film Festival (le Festival de Cannes founded in 1946 is one of the world's oldest most influential and prestigious Film festivals alongside Venice,

Apichatpong also co-directed the low-budget digital movie, The Adventure of Iron Pussy, with artist Michael Shaowanasai, who portrays a transvestite secret agent. The Adventure of Iron Pussy ( Thai: หัวใจทรนง or Hua jai tor ra nong) is a 2003 Thai musical - action Michael Shaowanasai, (ไมเคิล เชาวนาศัย born in 1964 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a Thai artist and actor who lives A musical, the movie also was an homage and a parody of the Thai films of the 1960s and '70s, with Shaowansai basing his character on the actress Petchara Chaowarat. Petchara Chaowarat ( Thai: เพชรา เชาวราษฎร์ born January 19, 1943, in Rayong Province, Thailand) is

In 2005, Thai film Rainbow Boys, depicting a contemporary gay relationship, produced by Vitaya Saeng-aroon, saw a limited-release screening. Vitaya also produced the comedy-drama Club M2, set in a gay sauna. [19] And in 2006 there was The Last Song, a remake of a 1985 Thai film about a transsexual cabaret dancer and her struggle to find acceptance and true love.

Me ... Myself (Thai: ขอให้รักจงเจริญ or Kaw hai rak jong jaroen) is a 2007 Thai romantic drama film written and directed by actor-singer Pongpat Wachirabunjong. Me. Myself (ขอให้รักจงเจริญ or Khaw hai rak jong jaroen) is a 2007 Thai romantic Drama film Thai (th ภาษาไทย, transcription: phasa thai, transliteration:; pʰāːsǎːtʰāj is the national and In the film, Ananda Everingham stars as a male dancer in a transvestite cabaret who must must re-find himself after being struck by a car and suffering from amnesia. Ananda Everingham ( Thai: th อนันดา เอเวอริ่งแฮม born 31 May 1982 in Thailand) is a Thai film actor and model Amnesia (from Greek) is a condition in which Memory is disturbed

Another 2007 film, Bangkok Love Story, directed by Poj Arnon, was critically hailed as a departure from the stereotyped view of homosexuals as transvestites and transsexuals. Bangkok Love Story (เพื่อนกูรักมึงว่ะ or pêuan. Poj Arnon (พจน์ อานนท์ is a Thai Film director. Gay Thai independent film producer similarly praised the film, saying director Poj Arnon was "brave enough to shake society up". Poj Arnon (พจน์ อานนท์ is a Thai Film director.

The ultra-violent battle epic, Bang Rajan, depicts a true story from Thai history.
The ultra-violent battle epic, Bang Rajan, depicts a true story from Thai history. The village of Bang Rachan was historically located north of Ayutthaya, the old capital of Siam and the predecessor state to modern Thailand.

Historical epics

Another staple of the Thai film industry, among the biggest was 2003's The Legend of Suriyothai by Chatrichalerm Yukol, who had done research for many years to write the screenplay. The Legend of Suriyothai is a Thai film directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol, telling the history of Queen Suriyothai, who died in a battle in 1548 His Serene Highness Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol (หม่อมเจ้าชาตรีเฉลิม ยุคล born November 29, 1942) is a With a huge budget, support from the royal family and the cooperation across the nation's film industry, this film is considered a true "national film". [20] A followup epic is 2007's King Naresuan, about 16th century ruler King Naresuan the Great, which topped the budget for Suriyothai, and was shown in two parts. The Legend of King Naresuan (ตำนานสมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช Tamnan Somdej Phra Naresuan) is a two-part 2007 Naresuan ( 1555, April 25 - 1605 also sometimes called Naret or the Black Prince or Sanpet II, สมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช

Other epics include Bang Rajan by Thanit Jitnukul, who has made several other historical battle epics, including Sema: Warrior of Ayutthaya and Kun Pan: Legend of the Warlord. Bang Rajan (บางระจัน is a 2000 Thai historical Drama film depicting the battles of the Siamese village of Bang Tanit Jitnukul ( Thai: ธนิตย์ จิตนุกูล born in 1956 in Songkhla Province, Thailand) is a Thai film director

More recent history is depicted in The Overture, covering the life of a palace musician from the late 1800s to the 1940s, and The Tin Mine, set at a mine in southern Thailand in the 1950s. The Overture (โหมโรง or Hom rong is a 2004 Thai musical - Drama film. The Tin Mine (มหา’ลัย เหมืองแร่ or Maha'lai muang rae) is a 2005 Thai biographical Drama film

Horror

Nonzee Nimibutr's Nang Nak in 1999 was a ghost story that had actually been depicted dozens of times throughout the history of Thai cinema and television. Nonzee Nimibutr ( Thai นนทรีย์ นิมิบุตร born in 1962 in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand) is a Thai Film director Nang Nak (นางนาก is a romantic tragedy and horror film directed by Nonzee Nimibutr in 1999 through Buddy Film and Video Production Co Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) But it gave rise to a new crop of Thai horror and suspense films, including the Pang Brothers' The Eye, Nonzee's pan-Asian compilation Three, Bangkok Haunted, directed by Pisuth Praesaeng-Iam and Oxide Pang and the 2004 box-office smash Shutter by Banjong Pisonthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom. The Pang Brothers are Danny Pang Fat ( and Oxide Pang Chun ( twin-brother Screenwriters and Film directors born in 1965 in Hong The Eye ( also known as Seeing Ghosts) is a 2002 East Asian Horror film directed by The Pang Brothers. Three (Chinese title 三更 is a 2002 international Asian Horror film collaboration consisting of three segments by three directors Bangkok Haunted (ผีสามบาท is a 2001 Thai Horror film compilation directed by Oxide Pang and Pisut Praesangeam. Pisut Praesangeam (พิสุทธิ์ แพร่แสงเอี่ยม also Pisuth Praesaeng-Iam is a Thai actor Film director, Film producer The Pang Brothers are Danny Pang Fat ( and Oxide Pang Chun ( twin-brother Screenwriters and Film directors born in 1965 in Hong "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Shutter ( Thai: ชัตเตอร์ กดติดวิญญาณ is a 2004 horror thai film starring Ananda Everingham, Bangjong Pisanthanakun (บรรจง ปิสัญธนะกูล is Thai Film director and Screenwriter. Parkpoom Wongpoom (ภาคภูมิ วงศ์ภูมิ is a Thai Film director and Screenwriter.

Examples of slasher movies include Art of the Devil and a 2005 sequel (Long khong), as well as Scared and Narok (Hell), also in 2005. Art of the Devil (คนเล่นของ or Khon len khong) is a 2004 Thai Horror film directed by Tanit Jitnukul Art of the Devil 2 ( Thai: ลองของ or Long khong) is a 2005 Thai Horror film directed by Kongkiat

The horror genre also has spawned a number of genre-blending horror comedies, most notably the films of Yuthlert Sippapak, Buppah Rahtree (featured at the Toronto International Film Festival) and a sequel, and Krasue Valentine. Yuthlert Sippapak (ยุทธเลิศ สิปปภาค born November 8, 1966 in Loei, Thailand) is a Thai Film director Buppah Rahtree (บุปผาราตรี also Rahtree Flower of the Night and Buppah Rahtree Scent of the Night Flower) is a 2003 The Toronto International Film Festival ( TIFF) is a publicly-attended Film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada Krasue Valentine (กระสือวาเลนไทน์ also Ghost of Valentine) is a 2006 Thai romance - Horror film There has even been a zombie movie, 2004's SARS Wars. zombie is a reanimated human corpse Stories of zombies originated in the Afro-Caribbean spiritual belief system of Vodou, which told of the people being controlled SARS Wars ( Thai: ขุนกระบี่ผีระบาด or Khun krabii hiiroh, also subtitled Bangkok Zombie Crisis) is


Musicals

The biggest hit musical was 1970's Monrak luk thung (Magical Love in the Countryside), starring Mitr Chaibancha and Petchara Chaowarat. Monrak luk thung (มนต์รักลูกทุ่ง or Magical Love in the Countryside or Wonder of Luk Thung) is a 1970 musical - Mitr Chaibancha ( Thai มิตร ชัยบัญชา January 28, 1934 in Phetchaburi, Thailand - October 8, Petchara Chaowarat ( Thai: เพชรา เชาวราษฎร์ born January 19, 1943, in Rayong Province, Thailand) is It was hugely popular, playing in cinemas for six months.

As a result, a whole genre of luk thung musicals, rhapsodizing Thailand's rural life in Isan was created. Luk Thung (ลูกทุ่ง lit "child/children of the fields" refers to the most popular form of a style of music found in Thailand Isan ( Isan /อีสาน also written as Isaan Isarn Issan or Esarn is the northeast region of Thailand. Another example was Dokdin Kanyamarn's 1971 musical comedy, Ai Tui (Mr. Tui), which starred Sombat Metanee and Petchara. Sombat Metanee (สมบัติ เมทะนี born June 26, 1937 in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand) is a Thai Actor

In 2001 there were two movies that celebrated luk thung, the singing-contest comedy Monpleng Luk Thung FM (Hoedown Showdown) and Pen-Ek Ratanaruang's, Monrak Transistor, which paid tribute to the music of Suraphol Sombatcharoen. Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (เป็นเอก รัตนเรือง born March 8, 1962 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a Thai Film Monrak Transistor ( Thai: มนต์รักทรานซิสเตอร์ English: Transistor Love Story)is a Suraphol Sombatcharoen ( 1930 - August 16, 1968) ( Thai: สุรพล สมบัติเจริญ also Surapon Sombatjalern And in 2005, comedian-actor-director Petchtai Wongkamlao wrote, directed and starred in Yam Yasothon, a colourful homage to the 1970s musicals. Petchtai Wongkamlao, (เพ็ชรทาย วงศ์คำเหลา petɕʰtaːj woŋkʰɑmlaw born 1963 Yasothon Province, Thailand) is a Thai Yam Yasothon ( Thai: แหยม ยโสธร English title Hello Yasothon) is a 2005 Thai musical Romantic comedy It was one of top films at the Thai box office.

Romance

Weepy, sentimental romance stories are audience favourites. Historically, Cherd Songsri's 1970s film Plae Chow (The Old Scar) is a classic tale of star-crossed lovers, and was one of the first Thai films to be a success internationally. Cherd Songsri ( Thai: เชิด ทรงศรี September 20, 1931 – May 21, 2006) was a Thai Film director Plae Chow (แผลเก่า literally Old Scar) is a 1977 Thai romance - Drama film directed by Cherd Songsri

During the 1980s, Baan Sai Thong based on the novel Kor Surangkanang was a popular hit. [21] More recent examples include The Letter: Jod Mai Rak, in which tissues were actually handed out at the cinemas. The Letter (เดอะเลตเตอร์ จดหมายรัก or Jod mai rak, literally "love letter" is a 2004 romantic

Childhood romance was a hit with 2003's Fan Chan, which was made by six directors. Fan Chan ( Thai: แฟนฉัน English: My Girl) is a 2003 Thai Romantic comedy film offering a nostalgic One of the six, Komgrit Treewimol, went on to make the college-age romance, Dear Dakanda, a hit in 2005.

Teen

As a genre, teen films arose in the 1970s, with director Piak Poster's Wai Ounlawon, about a young man whose courtship of a teenaged girl puts him at odds with the girl's irascible father. That young couple, portrayed by the original actors, were revisited 30 years later as embattled parents in the 2005 sequel, Wai Ounlawon 4 (Oops . . . There's Dad).

Music was an important component of the teen films, with a musical interlude featured prominently in the film and a soundtrack album that would be a popular hit. This was the case with both Wai Ounlawon and its recent sequel.

Another noteworthy film of this genre is Fake, which was the debut film by Thanakorn Pongsuwan. Fake ( Thai: เฟค โกหกทั้งเพ is a 2003 Thai romance - drama film directed by Thanakorn Pongsuwan The film's modern, visual style offers a sharp-focus snapshot of the city of Bangkok and a plausible account of the mating game in its current forms.

Short films

Main article: List of Thai short films

In the burgeoning independent film movement, many short films are being produced and featured in festivals. Short subject is a format description originally coined in the North American Film industry in the early period of cinema. Graceland, a film by Anocha Suwichakornpong, about an Elvis impersonator, was featured in the Cinéfondation competition at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. An Elvis impersonator is someone who impersonates or copies famed American musician Elvis Presley, either as a Hobby, a Career in Entertainment La Cinéfondation is a foundation under the aegis of the Cannes Film Festival, created to inspire and support the next generation of international filmmakers The 2006 Cannes Film Festival ran from May 17, 2006 to May 28, 2006. It was the first Thai short film selected at Cannes. Short-film festivals in Thailand include the Thai Short Film and Video Festival by the Thai Film Foundation and the Fat Film Festival by Fat Radio. The Thai Short Film and Video Festival (เทศกาลภาพยนตร์สั้น is an annual Film festival held in Bangkok, Thailand, devoted Thai short-film programs are also put together for the Bangkok International Film Festival and the World Film Festival of Bangkok. The Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF is an international Film festival held annually in Bangkok, Thailand, since 2003 The World Film Festival of Bangkok ( Thai:เทศกาลภาพยนตร์โลกแห่งกรุงเทพฯ is an annual international Film festival

Pen-ek Ratanaruang's Twelve Twenty (30 min) was made as part of the Digital Short Films by Three Filmmakers project for the 2006 Jeonju International Film Festival. Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (เป็นเอก รัตนเรือง born March 8, 1962 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a Thai Film The Jeonju International Film Festival ( JIFF, Korean: 전주국제영화제 Hanja: 全州國際映畵祭 has been held annually since 2000 in The Jeonju International Film Festival ( JIFF, Korean: 전주국제영화제 Hanja: 全州國際映畵祭 has been held annually since 2000 in The film stars Ananda Everingham, has an appearance by American bilingual actor Erich Fleshman, and was shot by Christopher Doyle. Ananda Everingham ( Thai: th อนันดา เอเวอริ่งแฮม born 31 May 1982 in Thailand) is a Thai film actor and model Christopher Doyle ( born May 2, 1952) is a highly acclaimed Cannes Technical Grand Prize - Golden Osella - four-time The short film is shot in a minimalist style and slowly moves along the encounters of a man and a woman on a long-haul flight, where they spend the next 12 hours and 20 minutes reading, drinking, eating and watching movies and sleeping by each other's side without talking.

In 2007 , Digital Forum by Thai Film Foundation ,Festival for a digital long-film

Festivals and awards

Film festivals

See also: List of film festivals in Thailand

The Thai Short Film and Video Festival was first held in 1997. This is a list of Film festivals in Asia. Cambodia China Hong Kong India Indonesia The Thai Short Film and Video Festival (เทศกาลภาพยนตร์สั้น is an annual Film festival held in Bangkok, Thailand, devoted The Bangkok Film Festival was started in 1998, and was eventually supplanted by the Bangkok International Film Festival, which started in 2002 and is organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF is an international Film festival held annually in Bangkok, Thailand, since 2003 The World Film Festival of Bangkok, sponsored by the Nation Multimedia Group, began in 2003, and it is held annually in October. The World Film Festival of Bangkok ( Thai:เทศกาลภาพยนตร์โลกแห่งกรุงเทพฯ is an annual international Film festival Nation Multimedia Group Public Company Limited (บริษัท เนชั่น มัลติมีเดีย กรุ๊ป จำกัด (มหาชน is a media

In 2007, Digital Forum was begun in Bangkok as an outgrowth of the Thai Short Film and Video Festival, to showcase feature-length independent digital-video productions. Also in 2007, the inaugural Phuket Film Festival was held.

Film awards

The first film awards in Thailand were the "Golden Doll" awards given by Tukata Tong magazine. The awards were first given in 1957. The statuette at first was a Thai classical dancer and later it was modelled after Phra Suratsawadi, the Thai-Hindu god of art. Thai dance (รำไทย Ram Thai or th ระบำ Rabam) is the main Dramatic art form of Thailand. Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. King Bhumibol Adulyadej handed out the awards in 1965 and '66. Bhumibol Adulyadej (ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช pʰuːmipʰon adunjadeːt Royal Institute: Phumiphon Adunyadet;) (born Monday 5 December 1927 The Tukata Tong awards were discontinued after eight years due to organizational problems, but were revived in 1974 by the Association of Entertainment News Journalists of Thailand.

The Thailand National Film Association Awards are organised by the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand. The Thailand National Film Association Awards is a Thai film industry ceremony held annually by the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand The name of the award is the Subhanahongsa Award.

There is also the Bangkok Critics Assembly, which gives awards chosen by a panel of around 20 members, the Starpics Awards, given by Starpics magazine and the Kom Chad Luek Awards, given by Kom Chad Luek newspaper. Kom Chad Luek ( คมชัดลึก) is a mass-circulation Thai -language daily Newspaper launched in 2001 and published in Bangkok

Key figures

Petchara Chaowarat was a popular Thai actress in the 1970s.
Petchara Chaowarat was a popular Thai actress in the 1970s. Petchara Chaowarat ( Thai: เพชรา เชาวราษฎร์ born January 19, 1943, in Rayong Province, Thailand) is

Actors

Main article: List of Thai actors

Actresses

Main article: List of Thai actresses

Directors

Main article: List of Thai film directors

Producers

At the press preview in Thailand for Tom Yum Goong, from left, action choreographer Panna Rittikrai, director Prachya Pinkaew, producer Somsak Techaratanaprasert and actor-martial artist Tony Jaa.
At the press preview in Thailand for Tom Yum Goong, from left, action choreographer Panna Rittikrai, director Prachya Pinkaew, producer Somsak Techaratanaprasert and actor-martial artist Tony Jaa. Tom-Yum-Goong ( Thai: ต้มยำกุ้ง tôm jɑm kûŋ distributed as Warrior King in the UK as The Protector

Screenwriters

Film editors

Notable Thai films

Cinema of Thailand
List of Thai films
LGBT films
Actors
Actresses
Film directors
Cinemas in Thailand
Films shot in Thailand
See also: List of Thai submissions for Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film

See also

Life in
Thailand
Cuisine
Culture
Dance
Puppet
Instruments
Demographics
Economy
Education
Film
Holidays
Languages
Literature
Media
Monarchy
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Politics
Religion
Society
Sport
edit box

Further reading

References

Notes

  1. ^ Anchalee Chaiworaporn, The Birth of Film Screening in Thailand, Thai film foundation
  2. ^ Prince Sanbassart (Prince Thongthamthawanwong) - The Father of Thai Filmmaking., Thai film foundation
  3. ^ (Thai) History of Thai film (ประวัติภาพยนตร์ไทย) ,Rimping foundation
  4. ^ Edmondson, Ray (September 2003). East of the Sun, West of Moon: A Region in Memory (PDF). Introductory essay for the “Memory of the World” film series, as published in the catalogue of the Giornate del Cinema Muto, Sacile, Italy. South East Asia Pacific Audio Visual Archive. Retrieved on 2007-08-25. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1248 - The Dutch city of Ommen receives city rights and fortification rights from Otto III the
  5. ^ a b (Thai) The rise of Thai cinemas (ความรุ่งโรจน์ ของอุตสาหกรรมภาพยนตร์ยุคบุคเบิก)
  6. ^ Kong Rithdee, Historical inspiration Thai film foundation
  7. ^ The one-minute fragment was exhibited in 2006 in Paris during the "Tout a Fait Thai 2006: The Thai Culture Festival in France" (Rithdee, Kong. October 13, 2006. "Screen test", Bangkok Post, Real Time, Page R1.
  8. ^ (Thai) Manit Wasuwat ,Thai film foundation
  9. ^ Jeffrey M. Anderson, Chang (1927)
  10. ^ (Thai) History of Thai films part 4 ,Thainationalfilm. com
  11. ^ Natee, Kritya (translator) and Himes, Robert (editor). January 1, 2004. "Manee Sumonnaj (The Shining Star)", Thai Film Foundation.
  12. ^ "Good old days: Thai cinema has a long history", Bangkok Post retrieved August 9, 2006.
  13. ^ a b (Thai)Thai films in 16-mm era ,Thai film foundation
  14. ^ (Thai)History of Thai films part 10 ,Thainationalfilm. com
  15. ^ a b Robert Williamson, Thai cinema: sustainable development or imminent decline? ,Thai film foundation
  16. ^ Wattanasukchai, Sirinya (January 6, 2006) "Not in my house", ThaiDay. Retrieved March 17, 2006.
  17. ^ Rithdee, Kong. Thai director cancels film's local release, Bangkok Post (retrieved April 12, 2007).
  18. ^ Rithdee, Kong. December 20, 2007. Thailand passes controversial film act, Variety (magazine); retrieved 2007-12-21
  19. ^ The real pride in being gay, The Nation (Thailand); retrieved 2007-11-17
  20. ^ Chalida Uabumrungjit, Coming of Age of New Thai Cinema Thai film foundation
  21. ^ "Thai govt pins border hopes on soaps", The Nation (retrieved January 2, 2007.

External links


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