Southeast Asian cinema
Cinema of Cambodia Cinema of Malaysia Cinema of Myanmar Cinema of the Philippines Cinema of Singapore Cinema of Thailand Cinema of Vietnam

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 film was then brought to Bangkok, where it was exhibited. 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. 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. 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. For every genre that Hollywood or other film industries offer, there is an example from Thailand that favourably compares. Image File history File links Please see the file description page for further information. ... Southeast Asian cinema refers to the film industry and films produced in, and/or by natives of, Southeast Asia. ... Cinema in Cambodia started in the 1950s, and by the 1960s the countrys film industry was experiencing a golden age, with many classic films being made and movie theaters throughout the country. ... The Malaysian cinema experience began in 1933 with the screening of Laila Majnun, a well-known Sanskrit play of two ill-fated lovers. ... The cinema of Myanmar has a long history that dates back to the colonial era. ... 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 moving pictures. ... After independence, in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, Singapore had no film industry, being more concerned with the bread-and-butter issues of economic nation-building. ... 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. ... It has been suggested that Film industry#History of film be merged into this article or section. ... His Majesty King Rama V of Siam, with his son, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajirunnahis (portrait in National History Museum, Bangkok) King Chulalongkorn the Great or Rama V (royal name: Phra Chula Chomklao Chaoyuhua; Thai script: พระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว) (September 20, 1853 - October 23, 1910) was the fifth king of the Chakri dynasty... 1897 (MDCCCXCVII) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Location within Switzerland The city of Berne (German   , French Berne , Italian Berna , Romansh Berna , Bernese German Bärn ), is the Bundesstadt (administrative capital) of Switzerland and the fourth most populous Swiss city (after Zürich, Geneva and Basel). ... The Bangkok Skytrain at sunset on Thanon Narathiwat Ratcha Nakharin with Empire Tower at the back. ... The Chakri dynasty have ruled Thailand since king Taksin was declared mad in 1782. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... 16 mm film was introduced by Eastman Kodak in 1923 as an inexpensive amateur alternative to the conventional 35 mm film format. ... ... Nonzee Nimibutr (Thai นนทรีย์ นิมิบุตร, born 1962 in Nonthaburi, Thailand) is a Thai film director, film producer and screenwriter. ... Thai director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, working on the set of his 2003 film, Last Life in the Universe. ... Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thai อภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐกุล, born July 16, 1970 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a Thai film director. ... Tony Jaa in an alternate poster for his break-out film, Ong-Bak. ...

The first Thai films

When Western films first came to Thailand they were called nang farang, after the nang drama (shadow puppet plays) that were a Thai traditional art. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Western World. ... Farang (in Thai: ฝรั่ง), sometimes pronounced falang, is the generic Thai word for a white foreigner. ... Nang drama is a form of shadow play found in Thailand. ... A shadow puppet is a puppet intended for performance at night or in a darkened interior space. ...

The first film produced in Thailand was made in 1922. Entitled Sam Poi Luang: Great Celebration in the North, the docudrama became a hit when it was released. The film was produced by the Royal State Railways Authority, whose main function was to promote travelling by train through the new media. 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The State Railway of Thailand (การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย) is the state-owned rail operator of Thailand. ...

1922 also saw the production of Nang Sao Suwan, or Miss Suwanna of Siam, a Hollywood co-production with the Royal State Railways that was directed and scripted by Henry MacRae. It premiered on June 22, 1923 in Bangkok at the Phathanakorn Cinematograph. Unfortunately, Miss Suwanna has been lost over the years. Miss Suwanna of Siam, or Nong Sao Suwan, was a 1923 romance film written and directed by Henry MacRae, set in Thailand (then Siam) and starring Thai actors. ... ... Henry Alexander MacRae (August 29, 1876-October 2, 1944) was a Canadian film director, producer and screenwriter during the silent era, working on many film serials for Universal Studios. ... June 22 is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 192 days remaining. ... 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ...

The first all-Thai feature was Chok Sorng Chan (Doubly Lucky), produced by the Wasuwat brothers' Bangkok Film Company in 1927 and directed by Manit Wasuwat (Thai: มานิต วสุวัต). That same year, another film company, Tai Phapphayon Thai Company, produced Mai Khit Loei (Unexpected). 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Seventeen films were made between 1927 and 1932, but only fragments have survived, such as a one-minute car chase from Chok Sorng Chan^[1] or a two- to three-minute boxing match from Khrai Di Khrai Dai (None But the Brave). 1932 (MCMXXXII) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link will take you to a full 1932 calendar). ...

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. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Chang: A Drama of the Wilderness (Famous Lasky Corp. ... Merian C. Cooper Merian Caldwell Cooper (October 24, 1893, Jacksonville, Florida, USA — April 21, 1973, San Diego, California, USA, died of cancer) was an American aviator, adventurer, movie actor, director, screenwriter and producer. ... Ernest B. Schoedsack (June 8, 1893 - December 23, 1979) is probably best remembered for being the co-director of the 1933 film, King Kong. ...

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. 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. 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... A sound film (or talkie) is a motion picture with synchronized sound, as opposed to a silent movie. ... A silent film is a film which has no accompanying soundtrack. ... Benshi (弁士 in Japanese) were performers who provided live narration for silent Japanese films. ...

The first Thai sound film was Long Thang (Gone Astray), produced by the Wasuwat brothers, and premiered on April 1, 1932. 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. It produced three to four films a year. April 1 is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 274 days remaining. ... 1932 (MCMXXXII) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link will take you to a full 1932 calendar). ... Bang Kapi (Thai บางกะปิ) is one of the 50 districts (Khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. ...

In 1933, Sri Krung made the first colour Thai film, Grandpa Som's Treasure (Pu Som Fao Sap). 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...

This period up until 1942 is regarded by scholars as the "Golden Age" for Thai film. 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ...

Among the hit films of this period was the 1938 musical, Klua Mia (Wife-phobia) by the Srikrung studio. It was shot on 35-mm colour stock. The stars were Chamras Suwapol 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. The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. ... 35 mm film frames. ...

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. Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... A dictatorship is a autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by a dictator. ... Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram (July 14, 1897–June 11, 1964) (Thai แปลก พิบูลสงคราม or ป. พิบูลสงคราม, lastname sometimes spelled Phibunsongkhram, Phibul Songkhram or Pibul Songgram) was Prime Minister and military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957. ... An Australian anti-conscription propaganda poster from World War One Propaganda is a specific type of message presentation directly aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviour of people, rather than impartially providing information. ... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix Nationalism is an ideology [1] that holds that a nation is the fundamental unit for human social life, and takes precedence over any other social and political principles. ...

Opposition politics found their way into film, too, with statesman Pridi Phanomyong producing King of the White Elephant, in 1940. 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. The film depicts the story of an ancient Siamese king who only goes to war after he's been attacked. Pridi Phanomyong Pridi Phanomyong (May 11, 1900 - May 2, 1983) was a Thai politician. ... 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

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. 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. In filmmaking, dubbing or looping is the process of recording or replacing voices for a motion picture. ...

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). (Redirected from 16 mm) 16mm film was initially created in the 1920s as an inexpensive amateur alternative to the conventional 35 mm film format. ... Monrak Transistor (Thai: มนต์รักทรานซิสเตอร์, English: Transistor Love Story) is a 2001 Thai film directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. ... This is a list of film-related events in 2000. ... Bangkok Loco (Thai: ทวารยังหวานอยู่ or Tawan young wan yoo) is a 2004 Thai comedy-musical-fantasy film directed by Pornchai Hongrattanaporn, written by Sompope Vejchapipat and starring Krissada Terrence. ... // Please note that these are the top grossing films that were first released in 2004; because they may have made most of their income in a later year, they may not be the top-grossing films for calendar year 2004. ...

Post-war years: The 16-mm era

A poster for the 1970 film, "Insee Thong", 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.

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. Image File history File links Inseethong. ... Image File history File links Inseethong. ... Mitr Chaibancha (Thai มิตร ชัยบัญชา, born January 28, 1934 in Phetchaburi, Thailand) was a Thai film actor who made 266 films from 1956 to 1970. ... The iconic Thai leading lady of the 1960s and 70s, Petchara Chaowarat. ... (Redirected from 16 mm) 16mm film was initially created in the 1920s as an inexpensive amateur alternative to the conventional 35 mm film format. ... 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. 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). ^[2] Action movies usually involve a fairly straightforward story of good guys versus bad guys, where most disputes are resolved by using physical force. ... Folklore is the ethnographic concept of the tales, legends, or superstitions current among a particular ethnic population, a part of the oral history of a particular culture. ...

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.

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. From 1947 until 1972, 16 mm was the industry standard for Thai film production. In filmmaking, dubbing or looping is the process of recording or replacing voices for a motion picture. ...

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. ...

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. 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 1955 Southeast Asian Film Festival in Tokyo, and 1961's Black Silk, the first Thai film in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival. Pioneering Thai filmmaker Rattana Pestonji was born in Bangkok in 1908 and died in 1970 as he was giving a speech to Thai government officials to urge support for the Thai film industry. ... Simulated 35 mm film with soundtracks _ The outermost strips (on either side) contain the SDDS soundtrack as an image of a digital signal. ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Tokyo , literally Eastern capital)   is the capital and one of the forty-seven prefectures of Japan. ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... One of the A festivals in Europe. ...

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. To pick up the slack, 150 Thai films were made in 1978 alone. Many of these films were low-grade action films and were derided by critics and scholars as "nam nao" or "stinking water". The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ...

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. 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. Chatrichalerm also made Hotel Angel (Thep Thida Rong Raem), about a young woman trapped into a life of prostitution. 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. Chatrichalerm Yukol on the set of The Legend of Suriyothai Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol (Thai หม่อมเจ้า ชาตรีเฉลิมยุคล, born November 29, 1942) is a Thai film director and screen writer. ... The Chakri dynasty have ruled Thailand since king Taksin was declared mad in 1782. ... A civil servant or public servant is a civilian career public sector employee working for a government department or agency. ... Thanom Kittikachorn Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn (August 11, 1912 -June 16, 2004, Thai ถนอม กิตติขจร) was a Thai military leader and former prime minister of Thailand. ... Prostitution has existed in Thailand for a long time. ... See also 1990s, the band The 1990s decade refers to the years from 1990 to 1999, inclusive, sometimes informally including popular culture from the late 1980s and shortly after the year 2000. ... The Legend of Suriyothai is a Thai film directed by Prince Chatri Chalerm Yukol of the Thai Royal Family. ... This is a list of film-related events in 2001. ...

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 also made Her Name is Boonrawd (1985), about prostitution around an American military airbase during the Vietnam War. 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. Vichit Kounavudhi (Thai วิจิตร คุณาวุฒิ , 1922-1997, born in Chachoengsao, Thailand) was a Thai film director and screen writer. ... A euphemism is an expression intended by the speaker to be less offensive, disturbing, or troubling to the listener than the word or phrase it replaces, or in the case of doublespeak to make it less troublesome for the speaker. ... Madame de Pompadour the mistress of King Louis XV of France. ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A sex worker in Germany. ... The armed forces of the United States of America consist of the United States Army United States Marine Corps United States Navy United States Air Force United States Coast Guard[1] The combined United States armed forces consists of 1. ... U-Tapao International Airport (IATA: UTP, ICAO: VTBU), also known as Utapao or U-Taphao, is one of the important international airports under supervision of the Royal Thai Navys Naval Air Division Commander. ... Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000... A hill tribe is any one of around twenty ethnic groups living in Northern Thailand. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... For other articles with similar names, see Isan (disambiguation). ...

Also in 1985, director Yuttana Mukdanasit made Pee Seua lae Dawkmai (Butterfly and Flower), highlighting hardships along the Southern Thailand border. 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. It won the Best Film award at the Hawaii International Film Festival. Southern Thailand is a distinct region of Thailand, connected with the Central region by the narrow Kra Isthmus. ... A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by... A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Turkish: Müslüman, Persian and Urdu: مسلمان, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of Islam. ... The Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is a film festival held in the US State of Hawaii. ...

The DVD cover for Wisit Sasanatieng's Tears of the Black Tiger.

Image File history File links Tearsposter. ... Image File history File links Tearsposter. ...

The Thai New Wave

By 1981, Hollywood studios were once again sending films to Thailand. Also, television (see also Media in Thailand) was a growing part of Thai culture. This was a low period for the Thai film industry, and by the mid-1990s, studio output was averaging about 10 films per year. 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Thailand has a well-developed media sector, especially by Southeast Asian standards. ... See also 1990s, the band The 1990s decade refers to the years from 1990 to 1999, inclusive, sometimes informally including popular culture from the late 1980s and shortly after the year 2000. ...

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 financial crisis that started in July 1997 in Thailand and affected currencies, stock markets, and other asset prices in several Asian countries, many considered East Asian Tigers. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... From the earliest days of the medium, television has been used as a vehicle for advertising in some countries. ... Nonzee Nimibutr (Thai นนทรีย์ นิมิบุตร, born 1962 in Nonthaburi, Thailand) is a Thai film director, film producer and screenwriter. ... Thai director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, working on the set of his 2003 film, Last Life in the Universe. ... Wisit Sasanatieng (Thai วิศิษฏ์ ศาสนเที่ยง, born April 25, 1964 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a Thai film director and screenwriter. ...

The first breakthrough was in 1997, with Nonzee's Dang Bireley's and Young Gangsters (2499 Antapan Krong Muang) and Pen-Ek's Fun Bar Karaoke, both edgy crime films that were hits with local audiences and on the international festival circuit. Dang Bireleys and Young Gangsters (Thai: 2499 อันธพาลครองเมือง or 2499 Antapan Krong Muang) is a 1997 film about young Thai gangsters in 1950s Thailand. ... Fun Bar Karaoke (Thai: or Fan ba karaoke, literally dream crazy karaoke) is a 1997 crime-comedy directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. ...

Nonzee's next film, the ghost story Nang Nak, was an even bigger success, earning 149.6 million baht - the highest grossing film at the time. Nang nak is a romantic tragic and horror film produced by Nonzee Nimibutr in 1999 through Buddy Film and Video Production Co. ... Thai banknotes and coins. ...

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. It was the first film to be included on the programme at the Cannes Film Festival. Tears of the Black Tiger (Fah talai jone) is a film made in Thailand in 2000. ... The Western is an American genre in literature and film. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969, inclusive. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

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 and Oxide Pang, twin-brother filmmakers born in 1965 in Hong Kong. ... Bangkok Dangerous is a 1999 crime film written and directed by the Pang Brothers. ... Poster for Dark Water J-Horror is a term used to refer to Japanese contributions to horror fiction in popular culture. ... The Eye also known as Seeing Ghosts (Chinese title: Jian Gui 見鬼) is an Asian horror film directed by Danny Pang and Oxide Pang. ...

Thai avant garde

Main article: Apichatpong Weerasethakul

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. Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thai อภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐกุล, born July 16, 1970 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a Thai film director. ... The cinema of Thailand has a history that stretches back to early days of filmmaking, when King Chulalongkorns 1897 visit to Berne, Switzerland was recorded by Francois-Henri Lavancy-Clarke. ...

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. 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. 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. Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thai อภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐกุล, born July 16, 1970 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a Thai film director. ... This is a list of film-related events in 2002. ... Blissfully Yours (Thai: สุดเสน่หา or Sud sanaeha) is a 2002 Thai romance film directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... This article is becoming very long. ... Tropical Malady (Thai: สัตว์ประหลาด or Sud pralad) is a 2004 Thai romance and psychological drama film directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul and produced by Fabrica. ...

Other indie directors to watch include Pramote Sangsorn, Thunska Pansittivorakul and Sompot Chidgasornpongse.

Censorship

Main article: Censorship in Thailand

The 1930 Film Act is still in effect today, and places all films, VCDs and DVDs under scrutiny of the Censorship Board prior to public release. Freedom of speech in Thailand is guaranteed in the articles 39, 40, 41 in the 1997 Constitution. ... 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link is to a full 1930 calendar). ... VCD can stand for: Video CD Voice command device Value Change Dump (IEEE 1364 Verilog) Value-Centered Design This page concerning a three-letter acronym or abbreviation is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

The first board of censors included both men and women and was drawn from the ranks of aristocracy, the civil service and the police. 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. Censorship is basically the editing, removing, or otherwise changing speech and other forms of human expression. ...

The National Police was responsible for screening films and videos until September 2005, when the government's Ministry of Culture took over the function. Every VCD and DVD sold for home viewing must bear a stamp that it has passed the Censorship Board. 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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. In other instances, violent acts might pass through uncut, but sex and nudity will get the snip. Nudity or nakedness is the state of wearing no clothing. ... Look up Sex in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Look up Smoking in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In chemistry, an alcohol is any organic compound in which a hydroxyl group (-OH) is bound to a carbon atom of an alkyl or substituted alkyl group. ... This article is about firearms and similar devices. ...

Before the digital age, scissors and petroleum jelly were the tools of the trade for censors. Today the offending images are blurred out electronically. The effect of pixelization is so pervasive that the practice has been satirised in at least one Thai film, 2004's action comedy, Jaew or M.A.I.D., as well as the zombie comedy, SARS Wars. A digital system is one that uses discrete numbers, especially binary numbers, or non-numeric symbols such as letters or icons, for input, processing, transmission, storage, or display, rather than a continuous spectrum of values (an analog system). ... Vaseline is a well-known brand of petrolatum (petroleum jelly) originally produced by Chesebrough-Ponds, which was purchased by Unilever in 1987. ... 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 lower resolution. ... // Please note that these are the top grossing films that were first released in 2004; because they may have made most of their income in a later year, they may not be the top-grossing films for calendar year 2004. ... SARS Wars (Thai: ขุนกระบี่ผีระบาด or Khun krabii hiiroh, also subtitled Bangkok Zombie Crisis) is a 2004 Thai horror-comedy in which people are infected with a fictional Type 4 strain of the SARS virus and are turned in zombies. ...

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.^[3] 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Genres

Tony Jaa in Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior.

Image File history File links Ong-Bak. ... Image File history File links Ong-Bak. ...

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, born January 28, 1934 in Phetchaburi, Thailand) was a Thai film actor who made 266 films from 1956 to 1970. ... Thai leading man Sombat Metanee has starred in more than 600 films, mostly in the 1960s and 70s. ...

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. 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. Martial arts film is a film genre that originated in the Pacific Rim. ... Tony Jaa in an alternate poster for his break-out film, Ong-Bak. ... Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003) is an action film from Thailand in the mold of old school Jackie Chan-styled kung-fu flicks. ... This article is about the 2005 Thai action film. ... Kerd ma lui (English title: Born to Fight) is a 2004 Thai action film directed by Panna Rittikrai. ... Thai actor Petchtai Wongkamlao, left, and director Panna Rittikrai attend ceremonies for the press screening of Tom-Yum-Goong on August 4, 2005 at Major Ratchayothin in Bangkok. ... A film that is released direct-to-video (also straight-to-video) is one which has been released to the public on home video formats first rather than first being released in movie theaters. ...

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 Thep Po-Ngam, in roles as bumbling hitmen. Killer Tattoo is a 2001 action-comedy film written and directed by Yuthlert Sippapak. ... Yuthlert Sippapak (Thai ยุทธเลิศ สิปปภาค, born November 8, 1966 in Loei, Thailand) is a Thai film director, screenwriter and producer. ... Mum Jokmok closed out a busy 2005 by starring in the comedy-horror film Ghost Variety. ...

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. Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... 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 screen, featuring some kind of story or plot (even if it is a very short one). ...

Sanae in turn influenced Payut Ngaokrachang, who made a 1955 short about a traffic cop called Haed Mahasajan. Payut went on to make Thailand's first and only cel-animated feature film, The Adventure of Sudsakorn, in 1979. The Adventure of Sud Sakorn is Thailands first (and only) cel-animated feature film. ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Adventure of Sudsakorn (Thai: สุดสาคร), also known as The Adventure of Sud Sakorn, Sudsakhorn Adventure or Soodsakorn, is the only Thai cel-animated feature film ever made. ... This page refers to the year 1979. ...

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 animation is the art of creating moving images via the use of computers. ...

In 2006, Thailand's first computer-animated feature film will be released, Khan Khluay, about King Naresuan the Great's war elephant. It is directed by Kompin Kemgunerd, on such Disney features as Atlantis: The Lost Empire and Tarzan and Blue Sky Studios' Ice Age. Although the work is being done on computers, Kompin has faced many of the same difficulties in funding and human resources that Payut faced. Khan Kluay (Thai: ก้านกล้วย; IPA: ) is a 2006 Thai computer-animated feature film set during Ayutthaya-era Siam about an elephant who wanders away from his mother and eventually becomes the war elephant for King Naresuan. ... King Naresuan the Great (1555 - April 25, 1605, also sometimes called Naret or the Black Prince, Thai สมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช) was king of Siam (today Thailand) from 1590 until his death in 1605. ... Walt Disney Feature Animation (WDFA) is the animation studio that makes up a key element of The Walt Disney Company. ... Milo trying to convince scholars of Atlantis existence. ... Tarzan is the thirty-seventh animated feature in the Disney animated features canon. ... Blue Sky Studios is an Academy Award winning computer animation studio which specializes in photo-realistic, high-resolution, computer-generated character animation. ... This article is about a film. ...

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). It starred comedian Lor Tork as a moneylender whose son falls in love with a debtor and ends up taking sides against his father. The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969, inclusive. ...

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 about a street hood who becomes a Buddhist monk. ... Pongsak Pongsuwan starred in one of 2005s biggest films at the Thai box office, Luang Phii Theng. ... A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by...

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. Thai director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, working on the set of his 2003 film, Last Life in the Universe. ... A crime film, in its most general sense, is a film that deals with crime, criminal justice and the darker side of human nature. ... Fun Bar Karaoke (Thai: or Fan ba karaoke, literally dream crazy karaoke) is a 1997 crime-comedy directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. ... Invisible Waves is a 2006 crime film by Thai director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, with screenplay by Prabda Yoon, cinematography by Christopher Doyle, and starring Tadanobu Asano - all people that Pen-Ek had worked with on his previous film, Last Life in the Universe. ...

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. New York Asian Film Festival is an worlds biggest international film festival paying tribute to filmmakers of Asian descent all around the world. ...

Another true-crime case about a cannibalistic serial killer in 1946 Bangkok was depicted in the 2004 film Zee-Oui. The Bangkok Skytrain at sunset on Thanon Narathiwat Ratcha Nakharin with Empire Tower at the back. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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

Image File history File linksMetadata The_Iron_Ladies_DVD_cover. ... Image File history File linksMetadata The_Iron_Ladies_DVD_cover. ...

Gay films

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 katoey the main characters. Kathoey working as Go-Go dancers in Bangkoks Nana Plaza. ... A transsexual (sometimes transexual) person establishes a permanent identity with the opposite gender to their assigned (usually at birth) sex. ... For a discussion of the history and current usage of the term transvestite, see transvestism. ... Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character or scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension. ... A stereotypical villain, common in early 20th century silent films, wears formal black clothes, exquisitely neat facial hair, and a maniacal demeanour. ...

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. It was a huge hit on the international festival circuit. The 2000 comedy spawned a sequel in 2003, Satree Lek 2. The Iron Ladies DVD cover. ... For other articles with similar names, see Gay (disambiguation). ...

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 (Thai สรพงษ์ ชาตรี) 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. Unlike The Iron Ladies, Beautiful Boxer was more serious in tone. Transgender is generally used as a catch-all umbrella term for a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups centered around the full or partial reversal of gender roles; however, compare other definitions below. ... Muay Thai (IPA: [/muai32 32/]; Thai: ) (Thai Boxing) is the Thai name for a form of hard martial art practiced in several Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Cambodia (where it is Pradal Serey), Malaysia (where it is known as Tomoi) and as a similar style in Myanmar (called Lethwei). ... Parinya Kiatbusaba or Parinya Charoenphol (born 1981), more popularly known as Nong Thoom, Nong Toom or Nong Tum, is probably the best-known kathoey (male-to-female transgendered person) in Thailand. ... Parinya Kiatbusaba or Parinya Charoenphol (born 1981), more popularly known as Nong Thoom, Nong Toom or Nong Tum, is probably the best-known kathoey (male-to-female transgendered person) in Thailand. ...

Even more serious is the 2003 film Tropical Malady, directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. It depicts a romance between a Thai army soldier and a local small-town boy. 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. The film won a jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Tropical Malady (Thai: สัตว์ประหลาด or Sud pralad) is a 2004 Thai romance and psychological drama film directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul and produced by Fabrica. ... Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thai อภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐกุล, born July 16, 1970 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a Thai film director. ... Folklore is the ethnographic concept of the tales, legends, or superstitions current among a particular ethnic population, a part of the oral history of a particular culture. ... The shaman is an intellectual and spiritual figure who is regarded as possessing power and influence on other peoples in the tribe and performs several functions, primarily that of a healer ( medicine man). The shaman provides medical care, and serves other community needs during crisis times, via supernatural means (means... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Apichatpong also co-directed the low-budget digital movie, The Adventure of Iron Pussy, with artist Michael Shaowanasai, who portrays a transvestite secret agent. 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. The Adventure of Iron Pussy (Thai: หัวใจทรนง or Hua jai tor ra nong) is a 2003 Thai musical-action-comedy film written and directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Michael Shaowanasai and starring Shaowanasai as the main protagonist – a transvestite Thai secret agent whose alter ego is a gay male 7-Eleven... Michael Shaowanasai is a Thai performance artist. ... The iconic Thai leading lady of the 1960s and 70s, Petchara Chaowarat. ...

In 2005, Thai film Rainbow Boys, depicting a contemporary gay relationship, saw a limited-release screening. 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. --~~--16:43, 14 October 2005 (UTC)~[[[[Media:The LÁst Song This may be the last thing that write for long Can you hear me smiling when i sing this song, for you and only you As I leave will you be someone to say good-bye As I leave...

The ultra-violent battle epic, Bang Rajan, depicts a true story from Thai history.

Image File history File links Bangrajan. ... Image File history File links Bangrajan. ... One of the more iconic images of the Bang Rajan battles is when one of the Thai leaders, Nai Thong Men, became drunk and furiously rode a water buffalo into battle against the Burmese. ...

Historical epics

Another staple of the Thai film industry, the biggest yet was 2003's The Legend of Suriyothai by Chatrichalerm Yukol. A followup epic is 2006's Naresuan, about 16th century ruler King Naresuan the Great. The Legend of Suriyothai is a Thai film directed by Prince Chatri Chalerm Yukol of the Thai Royal Family. ... Chatrichalerm Yukol on the set of The Legend of Suriyothai Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol (Thai หม่อมเจ้า ชาตรีเฉลิมยุคล, born November 29, 1942) is a Thai film director and screen writer. ... King Naresuan (Thai: ) is a 2006 Thai biographical historical drama film about King Naresuan the Great, who ruled Siam from 1590 until his death in 1605. ... King Naresuan the Great (1555 - April 25, 1605, also sometimes called Naret or the Black Prince, Thai สมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช) was king of Siam (today Thailand) from 1590 until his death in 1605. ...

Other epics in recent years include Bang Rajan by Thanit Jitnukul, who's made several other historical battle epics, including Sema: Warrior of Ayutthaya and Kun Pan: Legend of the Warlord. One of the more iconic images of the Bang Rajan battles is when one of the Thai leaders, Nai Thong Men, became drunk and furiously rode a water buffalo into battle against the Burmese. ... Tanit Jitnukul (Thai: ธนิตย์ จิตนุกูล, born in 1956 in Songkhla Province, Thailand) is a Thai film director, screenwriter and producer. ...

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 (Thai: or Hom rong) is a 2004 Thai musical-drama film. ... The Tin Mine (Thai title: Mahalai muang rae) is a 2005 film directed by Jira Maligool. ...

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. 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. Nonzee Nimibutr (Thai นนทรีย์ นิมิบุตร, born 1962 in Nonthaburi, Thailand) is a Thai film director, film producer and screenwriter. ... Nang nak is a romantic tragic and horror film produced by Nonzee Nimibutr in 1999 through Buddy Film and Video Production Co. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Old Farts by the Sometimes-United Nations. ... The Pang Brothers are Danny and Oxide Pang, twin-brother filmmakers born in 1965 in Hong Kong. ... The Eye also known as Seeing Ghosts (Chinese title: Jian Gui 見鬼) is an Asian horror film directed by Danny Pang and Oxide Pang. ... Three (Chinese title: 三更) is an international movie made up of three segments, released in 2002. ... Oxide Pang Chun, born in 1965 in Hong Kong, is a film director, screenwriter, editor and producer. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Shutter - is a 2005 Thailand horror film. ...

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 2 (Thai: ลองของ or Long khong) is a 2005 Thai horror film directed by Kongkiat Khomsiri, Art Thamthrakul, Yosapong Polsap, Putipong Saisikaew, Isara Nadee, Pasith Buranajan and Seree Pongniti (known collectively as the Ronin Team). It was released by Five Star Production. ...

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. There has even been a zombie movie, 2004's SARS Wars. Yuthlert Sippapak (Thai ยุทธเลิศ สิปปภาค, born November 8, 1966 in Loei, Thailand) is a Thai film director, screenwriter and producer. ... Buppah Rahtree (Thai: also Rahtree: Flower of the Night and Buppah Rahtree: Scent of the Night Flower) is a 2003 Thai comedy-horror film written and directed by Yuthlert Sippapak. ... Poster for the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival Box office at the Manulife Centre The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is widely considered to be one of the top film festivals in the world and is the premiere film festival in North America from which the Oscars race begins. ... Krasue Valentine (Thai: , also Ghost of Valentine) is a 2006 Thai romance-horror film written and directed by Yuthlert Sippapak. ... A participant in a Zombie Walk event in Calgary This article is about the living dead. ... SARS Wars (Thai: ขุนกระบี่ผีระบาด or Khun krabii hiiroh, also subtitled Bangkok Zombie Crisis) is a 2004 Thai horror-comedy in which people are infected with a fictional Type 4 strain of the SARS virus and are turned in zombies. ...

Monrak Transistor is a bittersweet story of a young man's two loves - a local girl in his rural village and singing luk thung.

Image File history File links Monrak. ... Image File history File links Monrak. ...

Musicals

The biggest hit musical was 1970's Mon Rak Lookthung (Magical Love in the Countryside), starring Mitr Chaibancha and Petchara Chaowarat. It was hugely popular, playing in cinemas for six months. Mitr Chaibancha (Thai มิตร ชัยบัญชา, born January 28, 1934 in Phetchaburi, Thailand) was a Thai film actor who made 266 films from 1956 to 1970. ... The iconic Thai leading lady of the 1960s and 70s, Petchara Chaowarat. ...

As a result, a whole genre of luk thung musicals, rhapsodizing Thailand's rural life in Isan was created. Another example was Dokdin Kanyamarn's 1971 musical comedy, Ai Tui (Mr. Tui), which starred Sombat Metanee and Petchara. Luk thung (Thai ลูกทุ่ง), literally child of the fields, is the most popular form of Thai country music. ... For other articles with similar names, see Isan (disambiguation). ... Thai leading man Sombat Metanee has starred in more than 600 films, mostly in the 1960s and 70s. ...

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. And in 2005, comedian-actor-director Petchtai Wongkamlao wrote, directed and starred in Yam Yasothon, a colourful homage to the 1970s musicals. It was one of top films at the Thai box office. Thai director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, working on the set of his 2003 film, Last Life in the Universe. ... Monrak Transistor (Thai: มนต์รักทรานซิสเตอร์, English: Transistor Love Story) is a 2001 Thai film directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. ... Suraphol Sombatcharoen (1930 - August 16, 1968) (Thai: สุรพล สมบัติเจริญ, also Surapon Sombatjalern) was a Thai luk thung singer. ... Mum Jokmok closed out a busy 2005 by starring in the comedy-horror film Ghost Variety. ... Yam Yasothon (2005) is a Thai film. ...

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. A poster for Plae Chow (The Old Scar), Cherd Songsris best-known film. ...

More recent examples include The Letter: Jod Mai Rak, in which tissues were actually handed out at the cinemas.

Childhood romance was a hit with 2003's Fan Chan, which was made by six directors. One of the six, Komgrit Treewimol, went on to make the college-age romance, Dear Dakanda, a hit in 2005. Fan Chan (Thai: แฟนฉัน, English: My Girl) is a 2003 Thai film offering a nostalgic look back at the childhood friendship of a boy and girl growing up in a small town in Thailand in the 1980s. ...

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. 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. Fake (Thai: เฟค โกหกทั้งเพ) is a 2003 Thai romance-drama film, directed by Thanakorn Pongsuwan. ...

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. Graceland, a film by Anocha Suwichakornpong, about an Elvis impersonator, was featured Cinefondation competition at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. 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. Thai short-film programs are also put together for the Bangkok International Film Festival and the World Film Festival of Bangkok. Short subject is an American film industry term that historically has referred to any film in the format of two reels, or approximately 20 minutes running time, or less. ... Elvis Impersonators An Elvis impersonator is someone who impersonates or copies Elvis Presley either as a hobby, career in entertainment or occasionally for fun. ... Poster for 2006 Cannes Film Festival, from the film In the Mood for Love by Wong Kar-wai. ... Ofiicial poster for the 2005 Bangkok International Film Festival The Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF) is one of the largest international film festivals in Asia, held yearly in Bangkok, Thailand, since 2003. ... The World Film Festival of Bangkok is an annual film festival held in October in Bangkok. ...

Festivals and awards

Film festivals

• Bangkok Film Festival – Held in 2002 and prior years.
• Bangkok International Film Festival – Held since 2003, has a competition in which the Golden Kinaree is bestowed.
• World Film Festival of Bangkok – Held since 2003, also has a competition.

For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Ofiicial poster for the 2005 Bangkok International Film Festival The Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF) is one of the largest international film festivals in Asia, held yearly in Bangkok, Thailand, since 2003. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The World Film Festival of Bangkok is an annual film festival held in October in Bangkok. ...

Film awards

• Thailand National Film Association Awards – Organised by the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand, the ceremony hands out the Subhanahongsa Awards.
• Bangkok Critics Assembly – Awards are chosen by a panel of around 20 members.
• Star Entertainment Award – Selected by the Thai media.

Key figures

Petchara Chaowarat was a popular Thai actress in the 1970s.

Image File history File links Petcharachaowarat. ... Image File history File links Petcharachaowarat. ... The iconic Thai leading lady of the 1960s and 70s, Petchara Chaowarat. ...

Actors

Main article: List of Thai actors

• Mitr Chaibancha – Legendary Thai leading man of the 1960s and '70s, died while filming a stunt.
• Sombat Metanee – Record-breaking Thai leading man from the 1960s and '70s.
• Tony Jaa – Contemporary Thai action star, known for his hard-hitting stuntwork in Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior and Tom-Yum-Goong.

Thai cinemas top leading man Mitr Chaibancha, in character as the masked crime fighter, Insee Daeng, the Red Eagle, one of his most famous roles. ... Mitr Chaibancha (Thai มิตร ชัยบัญชา, born January 28, 1934 in Phetchaburi, Thailand) was a Thai film actor who made 266 films from 1956 to 1970. ... Thai leading man Sombat Metanee has starred in more than 600 films, mostly in the 1960s and 70s. ... Tony Jaa in an alternate poster for his break-out film, Ong-Bak. ... Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003) is an action film from Thailand in the mold of old school Jackie Chan-styled kung-fu flicks. ... This article is about the 2005 Thai action film. ...

Actresses

Main article: List of Thai actresses

• Petchara Chaowarat – Iconic leading lady of Thai films in the 1960s and '70s.

Petchara Chaowarat was a popular Thai actress in the 1970s. ... The iconic Thai leading lady of the 1960s and 70s, Petchara Chaowarat. ...

Directors

Main article: List of Thai film directors

• Apichatpong Weerasethakul – Avant-garde director, won a jury prize at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival.
• Chatrichalerm Yukol – Veteran director, maker of The Legend of Suriyothai as well as socially conscious films from the 1970s to the '90s.
• Cherd Songsri – One of the first Thai directors to make films with international audiences in mind.
• Nonzee Nimibutr – Among the first directors in the late 1990s to re-energize the Thai film industry.
• Pen-Ek Ratanaruang – His films are frequently shown at major international film festivals.
• Rattana Pestonji – Pioneering director, was the first Thai director to have a films in an international competition.

Vichit Kounavudhi was a prominent Thai film director in the 1970s and 80s. ... Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thai อภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐกุล, born July 16, 1970 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a Thai film director. ... A work similar to Marcel Duchamps Fountain Avant garde (written avant-garde) is a French phrase, one of many French phrases used by English speakers. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Chatrichalerm Yukol on the set of The Legend of Suriyothai Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol (Thai หม่อมเจ้า ชาตรีเฉลิมยุคล, born November 29, 1942) is a Thai film director and screen writer. ... The Legend of Suriyothai is a Thai film directed by Prince Chatri Chalerm Yukol of the Thai Royal Family. ... A poster for Plae Chow (The Old Scar), Cherd Songsris best-known film. ... Nonzee Nimibutr (Thai นนทรีย์ นิมิบุตร, born 1962 in Nonthaburi, Thailand) is a Thai film director, film producer and screenwriter. ... Thai director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, working on the set of his 2003 film, Last Life in the Universe. ... Pioneering Thai filmmaker Rattana Pestonji was born in Bangkok in 1908 and died in 1970 as he was giving a speech to Thai government officials to urge support for the Thai film industry. ...

Producers

• Adirek Wattaleela – Often credited simply as "Uncle", he's the head of the now shuttered Film Bangkok production house, which was behind such hits as Bangkok Dangerous and Tears of the Black Tiger. He's also a director, screenwriter and comic actor.
• Duangkamol Limcharoen – Working with Nonzee Nimibutr and Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, she founded the Cinemasia production marque and helped foster a trend of pan-Asian film production in Thailand. She died in 2003.
• Somsak Techaratanaprasert – Chief executive of Sahamongkol Film International, he's been behind many hit films, including Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior.

Bangkok Dangerous is a 1999 crime film written and directed by the Pang Brothers. ... Tears of the Black Tiger (Fah talai jone) is a film made in Thailand in 2000. ... Nonzee Nimibutr (Thai นนทรีย์ นิมิบุตร, born 1962 in Nonthaburi, Thailand) is a Thai film director, film producer and screenwriter. ... Thai director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, working on the set of his 2003 film, Last Life in the Universe. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sahamongkol Film International Co. ... Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003) is an action film from Thailand in the mold of old school Jackie Chan-styled kung-fu flicks. ...

Screenwriters

• Prabda Yoon – Worked with Pen-Ek Ratanaruang on Last Life in the Universe and Invisible Waves.
• Kongdej Jaturanrasamee – Writer on such films as Tom-Yum-Goong and Noo Hin: The Movie.

Prabda Yoon (born in 1973 in Bangkok) is a Thai writer, novelist, magazine editor and screenwriter. ... Thai director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, working on the set of his 2003 film, Last Life in the Universe. ... Movie poster for Last Life in the Universe Last Life in the Universe (Ruang rak noi nid mahasan) is a 2003 Thai film directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. ... Invisible Waves is a 2006 crime film by Thai director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, with screenplay by Prabda Yoon, cinematography by Christopher Doyle, and starring Tadanobu Asano - all people that Pen-Ek had worked with on his previous film, Last Life in the Universe. ... This article is about the 2005 Thai action film. ...

Film editors

• Patamanadda Yukol – Worked with Chatrichalerm Yukol on The Legend of Suriyothai and Pen-Ek Ratanaruang on Fun Bar Karaoke, Monrak Transistor, Last Life in the Universe and Invisible Waves.
• Lee Chatametikool – Worked with Apichatpong Weerasethakul on Blissfully Yours and Tropical Malady.
• Max Tersch (also Lee Chatametikool) – Worked with Thanakorn Pongsuwan on Fake.

Chatrichalerm Yukol on the set of The Legend of Suriyothai Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol (Thai หม่อมเจ้า ชาตรีเฉลิมยุคล, born November 29, 1942) is a Thai film director and screen writer. ... The Legend of Suriyothai is a Thai film directed by Prince Chatri Chalerm Yukol of the Thai Royal Family. ... Thai director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, working on the set of his 2003 film, Last Life in the Universe. ... Fun Bar Karaoke (Thai: or Fan ba karaoke, literally dream crazy karaoke) is a 1997 crime-comedy directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. ... Monrak Transistor (Thai: มนต์รักทรานซิสเตอร์, English: Transistor Love Story) is a 2001 Thai film directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. ... Movie poster for Last Life in the Universe Last Life in the Universe (Ruang rak noi nid mahasan) is a 2003 Thai film directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. ... Invisible Waves is a 2006 crime film by Thai director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, with screenplay by Prabda Yoon, cinematography by Christopher Doyle, and starring Tadanobu Asano - all people that Pen-Ek had worked with on his previous film, Last Life in the Universe. ... Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thai อภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐกุล, born July 16, 1970 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a Thai film director. ... Blissfully Yours (Thai: สุดเสน่หา or Sud sanaeha) is a 2002 Thai romance film directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. ... Tropical Malady (Thai: สัตว์ประหลาด or Sud pralad) is a 2004 Thai romance and psychological drama film directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul and produced by Fabrica. ... Fake (Thai: เฟค โกหกทั้งเพ) is a 2003 Thai romance-drama film, directed by Thanakorn Pongsuwan. ...

Notable Thai films

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.

Main article: List of Thai films

• 1923 - Miss Suwanna of Siam, though a Hollywood co-production, it's generally regarded as the first Thai film.
• 1927 - Chok Sorng Chan (Double Luck), the first all-Thai production.
• 1940 - King of the White Elephant, an English-language historical epic with an anti-war message, produced by Pridi Phanomyong.
• 1954 - Santi-Weena, the first Thai film to be entered in overseas competition (1955 Southeast Asian Film Festival in Tokyo).
• 1961 - Black Silk, the first Thai film in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival.
• 1970 - Mon Rak Lookthung, starring Mitr Chaibancha and Petchara Chaowarat, was a hugely popular luk thung musical. It played in cinemas for six months.
• 1973 - Khao Chue Karn (Dr. Karn), directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol, it was nearly banned because of its controversial look at corruption in the Thai civil service.
• 1977 - Plae Chow (The Old Scar), directed by Cherd Songsri, it the most successful Thai film at the box office of its day; also a prize-winner at the Three Continents Festival in Nantes, France.
• 1979 - The Adventure of Sud Sakorn, the first full-length Thai animated cartoon feature, directed by Payut Ngaokrachang.
• 1985 - Pee Seua lae Dawkmai (Butterfly and Flower), an award-winning depiction of poverty along the Southern Thailand border, directed by Yuttana Mukdanasit.
• 2000 - Tears of the Black Tiger (Fah Talai Jone), directed by Wisit Sasanatieng, it was the first Thai film to be included in the Cannes Film Festival programme.
• 2001 - The Legend of Suriyothai, Chatrichalerm's epic was the biggest film ever made in the Thai film industry.
• 2002 - Blissfully Yours, directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, won the Un Certain Regard Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
• 2003 - Tropical Malady, by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, was awarded a jury prize in the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1400x1050, 1006 KB) Summary The Siam Theater in Siam Square, Bangkok, May 26, 2005. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1400x1050, 1006 KB) Summary The Siam Theater in Siam Square, Bangkok, May 26, 2005. ... Siam Square is a shopping and entertainment area in Bangkok, Thailand. ... The Tin Mine (Thai title: Mahalai muang rae) is a 2005 film directed by Jira Maligool. ... Jira Maligool (Thai จิระ มะลิกุล, born 1961) is a Thai film director, screenwriter and producer. ... The Oscar. ... This is an incomplete list of Thai films Kerd ma lui (aka Born to Fight) Last Life in the Universe (Ruang rak noi nid mahasan) The Legend of Suriyothai Nang Nak Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior Three (film) (three-part Korean/Thai/Hong Kong film) Tom-Yum-Goong The Tiger... 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Miss Suwanna of Siam, or Nong Sao Suwan, was a 1923 romance film written and directed by Henry MacRae, set in Thailand (then Siam) and starring Thai actors. ... ... 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... Pridi Phanomyong Pridi Phanomyong (May 11, 1900 - May 2, 1983) was a Thai politician. ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... One of the A festivals in Europe. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ... Mitr Chaibancha (Thai มิตร ชัยบัญชา, born January 28, 1934 in Phetchaburi, Thailand) was a Thai film actor who made 266 films from 1956 to 1970. ... The iconic Thai leading lady of the 1960s and 70s, Petchara Chaowarat. ... Luk thung (Thai ลูกทุ่ง), literally child of the fields, is the most popular form of Thai country music. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... Chatrichalerm Yukol on the set of The Legend of Suriyothai Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol (Thai หม่อมเจ้า ชาตรีเฉลิมยุคล, born November 29, 1942) is a Thai film director and screen writer. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... A poster for Plae Chow (The Old Scar), Cherd Songsris best-known film. ... Traditional city flag City coat of arms Motto: (Latin: Shall Neptune favour the traveller) Coordinates : , Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) Administration Département Loire-Atlantique (44) Région Pays-de-la-Loire Mayor Jean-Marc Ayrault (PS) (since 1989) Intercommunality Urban Community of Nantes City (commune) Characteristics Land Area 65. ... This page refers to the year 1979. ... The Adventure of Sudsakorn (Thai: สุดสาคร), also known as The Adventure of Sud Sakorn, Sudsakhorn Adventure or Soodsakorn, is the only Thai cel-animated feature film ever made. ... 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 screen, featuring some kind of story or plot (even if it is a very short one). ... The Adventure of Sud Sakorn is Thailands first (and only) cel-animated feature film. ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Southern Thailand is a distinct region of Thailand, connected with the Central region by the narrow Kra Isthmus. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... Tears of the Black Tiger (Fah talai jone) is a film made in Thailand in 2000. ... Tears of the Black Tiger (Fah talai jone) is a film made in Thailand in 2000. ... Wisit Sasanatieng (Thai วิศิษฏ์ ศาสนเที่ยง, born April 25, 1964 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a Thai film director and screenwriter. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... The Legend of Suriyothai is a Thai film directed by Prince Chatri Chalerm Yukol of the Thai Royal Family. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Blissfully Yours (Thai: สุดเสน่หา or Sud sanaeha) is a 2002 Thai romance film directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. ... Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thai อภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐกุล, born July 16, 1970 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a Thai film director. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Tropical Malady (Thai: สัตว์ประหลาด or Sud pralad) is a 2004 Thai romance and psychological drama film directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul and produced by Fabrica. ...

See also

Thailand Portal

• Asian cinema
• East Asian cinema
• Lakorn
• List of cinemas in Thailand
• List of films that use Thailand as a location
• List of Thailand's official entries to the Academy Awards
• Southeast Asian cinema
• World cinema

Image File history File links Portal. ... Asian cinema refers to the film industries and films produced in the continent of Asia. ... East Asian cinema (sometimes called Far Eastern cinema, Eastern cinema, Asian cinema or Oriental cinema) is a term used to refer to the film industry and films produced in, and/or by natives of, East Asia. ... Lakorn (Thai ละคร) is a Thai name for dramatic television serials. ... The Scala theater in Siam Square. ... The locations used in The Man with the Golden Gun, starring Christopher Lee and Roger Moore are now tourist attractions in Thailands Phang Nga Bay. ... The Oscar. ... Southeast Asian cinema refers to the film industry and films produced in, and/or by natives of, Southeast Asia. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Further reading

• Chaiworaporn, Anchalee (April 11, 2006)."New Thai Cinema". "Fipresci".
• Stephens, Chuck (May 30, 2003). "Songs and snake oil". The Guardian.
• Williamson, Robert (March 11, 2005). "Thai cinema: Sustainable development or imminent decline?". Thai Film Foundation.
• Pansittivorakul, Thunska (April 29, 2006). "A Conversation with the editors of Bioscope Magazine". Criticine.
• Pansittivorakul, Thunska (April 29, 2006). "A Conversation with Kong Rithdee". Criticine.

The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. ...

References

• Richardson, Thomas (1993), people.cornell.edu/pages/ter3/thaifilm/tftime.html, Thai Film Timeline (retrieved from cache October 15, 2005)
• Sukwong, Dome and Suwannapak, Sawasdi. A Century of Thai Cinema, Thames and Hudson, 2001. ISBN 0-500-97603-1
• Chaiworaporn, Anchalee. "A Brief History of Cinema in Thailand", FIPRESCI, updated April 11, 2006.
• Rithdee, Kong (2005) Fallen idols, Bangkok Post. Retrieved December 23, 2005.
• Fleshman, Erich (2005) A Brief History of Thai Cinema, Notes from Hollywood. Retrieved December 23, 2005.
• Boonyaketmala, Boonrak (January 23, 2006) "The rippling waves of new cinema", International Herald Tribune/ThaiDay. Retrieved March 17, 2006.

FIPRESCI (short for Fédération Internationale de la Presse Cinématographique), in English known as International Federation of Film Critics, comprised of the national organizations of professional film critics and film journalists from around the world for the promotion and development of film culture and for the safeguarding of... The Bangkok Post is one of three daily English-language newspapers published in Bangkok, Thailand. ... The International Herald Tribune (www. ...

Notes

1. ^ 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.
2. ^ "Good old days: Thai cinema has a long history", Bangkok Post retrieved August 9, 2006.
3. ^ Wattanasukchai, Sirinya (January 6, 2006) "Not in my house", International Herald Tribune/ThaiDay. Retrieved March 17, 2006.

The International Herald Tribune (www. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Thai film

• Thai films at the Internet Movie Database – Links to index of the Thai-language titles
• 24framespersecond For Asian, World, Cult, Horror movie news
• Thai Film Foundation – National Film Archive companion website.
• ThaiCinema.org – Thai and English news and reviews.
• MovieSeer – English and Thai movie listings and synopses.
• 2006 movie release schedule – At the Pantip.com portal; to navigate to different years, change the date in the URL.
• Chalermthai archives – Pantip.com's Thai movie synopses and photos.
• ThaiCinemix.com – Thai site, extensive poster and still-photo galleries.
• Deknang – Thai film forum.
• CinemaThai – English-language reviews and photo galleries
• Introduction to Thai movies – Images and English-language essays on Thai film
• Thai Cinema at Thai World View – Images and English-language content
• Thai film reviews at Hong Kong Cinema – View from the Brooklyn Bridge
• Criticine Thailand – Thailand page of Southeast Asian Cinema journal Criticine
• Bangkok Cinema Experience photo set at Flickr