THAILAND’S status as a film-making hub has taken a major leap forward with the release of “Mother of the Bride”, a mushy 90-minute Netflix production that was panned by critics but hit 27 million views in the first four days.

 

Mr. Bill Heinecke, chairman of Minor Hotels group, operator of the Anantara Layan Phuket Resort and the Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, where the film was shot in its entirety, knows exactly why. “When you are watching two wars around the world, (this film) certainly has a good feeling.”

 

Featuring for the first time Heinecke himself in a five-second scene with the lead actress Brooke Shields, the film saw both hotels being half taken over by the stars and the top crew during the filming in April 2023. Heinecke said it didn’t cost him a cent. In fact, the film-makers paid for their board and lodge. The film was eligible for subsidy from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport’s film unit which reimburses 20% of the costs of movies made in Thailand upon presentation of supporting VATable receipts and payments.

 

 

“When you see how this benefits Thailand, it’s well worth it,” Heinecke says. In addition to the jobs created for hundreds of Thai supporting staff, and the experience they gained, the film has attracted a viewership that could cross 100 million. “This is a 90-minute commercial for Thailand. You don’t get many other opportunities like this. It shows the benefit of the ‘Soft Power’ strategy. It is a double-win for Thailand and Phuket.”

 

TOP image released by Netflix shows Chad Michael Murray and Brooke Shields in a scene from “Mother of the Bride.” Photo: Sasidis Sasisakulporn/Netflix via AP and published by Yahoo!News

 

 

Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-05-18

 

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You would think that soft power loses efficacy when you keep telling people you're using soft power on them, the art of seduction should be subtle.

 

 

 

 

Also, you can tell the hotel guy is super excited about being in a movie, congratulations guy, but calm down mr hollywood.

 

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

a mushy 90-minute Netflix production

 

Welcome to Thailand. Hub of mushy films.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

THAILAND’S status as a film-making hub has taken a major leap forward with the release of “Mother of the Bride”, a mushy 90-minute Netflix production that was panned by critics but hit 27 million views in the first four days.

 

I wonder how many viewers made it through the entire film?

 

 

Serious why is Thailand so proud of this film?  It's absolutely garbage I tuned out after 20 minutes.  Thais should hang thier heads in shame for making this and stop bragging about it.

Edited May 19, 20242 yr by Thechook