Thai Film Funding In The Balance

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Film funding in the balance

By PARINYAPORN PAJEE

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Indie filmmakers cry foul as a large chunk of the support they've been waiting for looks likely to go to just one movie

Independent filmmakers are once again up in arms about government funding but this time their anger is not because of a lack of support, but rather how the fledgling support is likely to be distributed.

If the Culture Ministry decides, as seems likely, to grant half the Bt200 million film fund it has set aside to the epic "The Legend of King Naresuan", they feel it risks setting a dangerous precedent for state aid that's been awaited for more decades than they can remember.

"It's the first time the government has paid attention to the movie business and look at how it's panning out," says director Apichatpong Weerasethakul, who along with artist and director Manit Srivanichaphum and other filmmakers, is protesting the plan. "How will we feel when we talk about that support in the next 10 or 20 years - ashamed or full of pride?"

The ministry's plan would grant a large amount to only one movie leaving 48 projects to share the remaining Bt100 million. In all, 295 projects had been submitted, leaving 246 unsupported.

"I hope that they will consider our proposal to think again before giving the money to the "Naresuan" project," he says.

"If the film board insists on going ahead, we may seek justice in court," adds Manit who submitted his new movie project to the fund but was turned down.

Apichatpong's latest film, "Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives", has been granted Bt3.5 million of the Culture Ministry's budget. The film has been selected for the main competition of the Cannes International Film Festival, which started yesterday and runs through May 23.

When the ministry first announced the funding project earlier this year, filmmakers were delighted. The happiness was short-lived. When they discovered where the bulk of the money was going, they lodged a protest and, after discussions, the ministry agreed to reconsider its decision. The final proposal is scheduled for presentation to the National Film Board for approval on May 20.

"Naresuan" has also received Bt330 in funding from the Ministry of Commerce. That makes the proposal to hand over another Bt100 million in government support for the film industry even harder to swallow.

"If the government set a separate special budget for 'Naresuan', it would be more acceptable. It would still be criticised but to a lesser degree as at least it wouldn't be competing with the other 295 projects submitted for support," says Apichatpong.

The filmmakers are also questioning the transparency of the funding regulations, pointing out that there are irregularities in the way both the recipients and the rejected parties have been treated.

"We need to discuss the direction of funding standards. The current regulations are unclear as are the judging criteria," says Apichatpong, who has experience in landing funding from other countries to complete his previous projects.

He says guidelines for the regulations should be categorised, with clear budget allocations for every process like script developing, production, editing and post-production.

Such a process would also be useful to the ministry in evaluating submissions, as it allow the subcommittee to allocate budgets based on actual costs.

Subcommittee member, critic Kittisak Suwannaphokin, says he was impressed by the layout of the proposal presented by Apichatpong to the ministry.

"The problem is that the public doesn't know our working details so they are suspicious about transparency," he says.

The funding, he explains, is part of the Thai Khem Khang (Strong Thailand) "creative economy" stimulus package, so projects that are considered to have economic value have priority. "Naresuan", for example, is expected to return Bt50 million to the fund from box-office revenue. In the meantime, many projects have been approved without the "return" condition, such as Apichatpong's Cannes entry.

Another committee member stresses that all 48 projects have been selected with transparency. However after the "Naresuan" conflict, some filmmakers question ask if studios should be sharing the cake with independent or non-studio filmmakers.

But both Apichatpong and Kittisak feel that everyone should have opportunity to submit applications for the funding.

"Many films won't have the potential for profit but the government still gets some benefit, such as owning the distribution rights, part of the income and, above all, the development of moviemaking in the country," says Apichatpong.

Kittisak adds that as most Thai independent films are attached to the studio system, the funding should focus on the project rather than the owner.

He cites "E-Nang Ei"("White Buffalo") as a case in point. The project has received non-conditional funding of Bt5.2 million even though it's under the umbrella of leading studio Sahamongkol Film International.

The project won a script contest a few years ago and Sahamongkol wanted support from the ministry to make the film, which is about Thai women in the Northeast who marry farang.

It's not the typical action, comedy or horror movie Sahamongkol makes, but studio boss Somsak Techaratanaprasert thought it had a good story even though he had doubts about its box-office potential.

Another of the filmmakers' peeves is that those selected to approve funding hail from different government offices and may not be qualified to judge submissions.

"I think the committee should at least have one qualification - a good comprehension of film because they have to read the proposal, the script and the filming process. Without that knowledge, how can they be fair in their judgement," says Apichatpong.

In the meantime, he's refusing to take the Bt3.5 million he's been granted.

"Of course, I've already spent far more than that on the film so the money would be useful. But let's see what the ministry will do first," he says.

A FEW OF THE FUNDED MOVIE PROJECTS

Project title Director/Studio Requested Approved

"The Legend of King Naresuan" (Parts III and IV) MC Chatrichalerm Yukol Bt480 million Bt100 million*

"Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives" Apichatpong Weerasethakul Bt3.5 million Bt3.5 million**

"Fon Tok Khuen Fah" Pen-ek Ratanaruang Bt20 million Bt8 million**

"E-Nang Ei" ("White Buffalo") Baa-Ram-Ewe Bt5.2 million Bt5.2 million**

"Khon Khon" (script development) Sombat Techaratanaprasert Bt580,000 Bt580,000**

"Mor Sang" Banjong Kosulwat Bt7.7 million Bt2.7 million*

"Dao Kanong" Anocha Suwichakornpong Bt1.5 million Bt1.5 million**

"Sai Num Look Phuying" ("A River's Tale") Ruthaiwan Wongsirasawas Bt1.2 million Bt1.2 million*

"Khon Khon" Sarunyoo Wongkrajang Bt8 million Bt8 million**

* WITH CONDITIONS ** FREELY FUNDED

-- The Nation 2010-05-13

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[yesdavy]

Perhaps, these local filmmakers need to consult Juthamas Siriwan and get a handle on how tea money works in this industry.

[SomTumTiger]

They are correct. This film should not be receiving such a large percentage of government support. The Government countered that "we will receive half of the ticket revenue", or something to that effect. If it is a venture project, It should come out of a different budget. Yet another reason the "Ministry of Culture" is the most "mis-named" ministry in existence.