Phuket Film Festival, Jungceylon, Opened With Party

[NBT TV Phuket]

Special - Phuket Film Festival, Jungceylon, Opening Gala party

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=215062

There is another interesting festival and a first for Phuket happening this week. That is the Phuket Film Festival at SF Cinemas, Jungceylon, Patong. Our special report captured the atmosphere at the Opening Gala party:

It’s the first time that a truly comprehensive film festival is being held in Phuket, and on Saturday evening, the Gala Opening was staged at Jungceylon, Patong with extravagant shows and several leading foreign directors and many Thai movie stars, producers and VIPs. The gala party started in earnest, with so much glitz, glamour, girls, guys and gaiety. It was hard to know where to look and find out who was who, with a lot of competition amongst the many paparazzi, both Thai and foreign press, who turned up in their masses especially from Bangkok. Amongst all the flashing cameras, fountains of floodlights, fanfare of music, fabulous food, and flowing drinks, we got some comments from some of the participants and attendees: Lights Camera Action:

1. Peter Donnelly, director ‘Sand Dancer’ 2. ‘Kae’ Chollada Mekratri, Thai model & actress, 3. Chairat Sukhaban, Patong Deputy Mayor 4. Wansadej Thavornsuk, Deputy Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand 5. Oscar Aibar, Director ‘Dance Machine’.

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Interview - Scott Rosenberg, Director & Organiser of the Phuket Film Festival

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=215061

Interview with Scott Rosenberg, Director & Organiser of the Phuket Film Festival, after many months if not years of planning, so before everyone rolled down the obligatory red carpet, we asked him first, if everything at the brand new SF Cinemas in Jungceylon, Patong, was ready for the festival films to finally roll: …… www.PhuketFilmFestival.com

Festival on until Saturday, 27October, at SF Cinema, Jungceylon, Patong; Some highlights: 22 Oct: Filipino Films; 26 Oct: Alternative Lifestyle movies; 27 Oct: 4pm: World Premiere 6 short films by HM King of Cambodia Norodom Sihanouk; 27 Oct: 6pm ‘Last Stop for Paul’ ; 27 Oct: 8pm ‘Across the Universe’.

from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) 8.30am + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket & Phuket Cable TV Channel 1 at 7, 10.30 or 11pm, Monday 22 October 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com

[NBT TV Phuket]

Special Report - UNESCO presented Fellini Silver Medal to Thai National Film Archive at Phuket Film Festival

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=215074

A small but important ceremony took place last Sunday during the Phuket Film Festival at the new SF Cinema in Jungceylon centre in Patong. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO representative, Dr Susanne Ornager, presented its Fellini Silver Medal to the Thai National Film Archive through Culture Minister Khaisri Sri-aroon for its restoration work, especially on the historic film ‘The King of the White Elephant’. Dr Susanne stressed the importance of preserving national audio-visual heritage. “Film is essential and part of the memory of the world, needs preservation and access to all. If you do not preserve, there is no access to anything.” The restoration work began three years ago with the support of Kodak, & Thomson Technicolor, represented by Dr Dusit Kannond: “The King of White Elephant is an example of heritage, produced by the late Pridi Banomyong in 1941.”

The King of the White Elephant was shot on 35mm film in black and white, and it took staff 2,000 hours in a labour of love to preserve and improve its sound and visual quality. Dr Dome Sukvong, of the National Film Archive, explained how hard but worthwhile it was for Thai staff: “How important for the NFA to save like a museum or library but instead of books we collect films, and then preserve for Thais to preserve this as well as we can.” The artifact movie is in English with Thai actors speaking English dialogue, and was intended to send a message about Siamese patriotism to an international audience during the 2nd world war, which was enough to amaze Scott Rosenberg, organizer of the Phuket Film Festival, to show it in a special performance: “Surprisingly and amazingly they all speak English in a Thai movie, probably the first and one of very few where English is used as dialogue.” (Quote from movie:) “Your Majesty has not yet observed the custom of taking 365 wives…Isn’t that too many? How does he manage it? Very clever man.”

The modern audience at Jungceylon’s SF cinema were treated to not only its original humour but the sight of ancient landmarks in Bangkok & Ayudyha: They could also see & hear the before and after effects of that hard work of restoration. This was truly a valuable work of art and a memorable moment for the 1st Phuket Film Festival to begin by looking back to the past, and show what can be restored from old forgotten film cans. (With thanks to Capital TV for sharing footage)

From Special Report for Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) 8.30am + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket & Phuket Cable TV Channel 1 at 7, 10.30 or 11pm, Wednesday 24th October 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com