Film Budgets Are Not Going To The Right Productions: Thai Opinion

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Film budgets are not going to the right productions

The Nation

If Thailand's film industry is ever to gain international recognition, the government should start to closely examine which types of movie get official funding support

The Culture Ministry's recent submission of the film "Kon Khon", a major box-office flop, to the Academy Awards has generated hot debate about the criteria and suitability of Thai films destined for the Oscar nominations process.

While this well-intentioned move is an avenue for Thai filmmakers to gain recognition overseas, our culture officials need to listen not only to a certain group of well-connected, influential film-industry figures but also to struggling independent filmmakers, in order to breathe new life into a scene that is in dire need of funding and brilliant creativity.

Thailand has been sending films to the Academy Awards since 1984. The selection has ranged from highly regarded social-problem dramas to independent art films and others that were sponsored by the government via the Culture Ministry.

No Thai film has ever landed an Oscar nomination, but it's generally agreed among ministry officials that an annual submission from Thailand, even without the chance of winning anything, stands Thai filmmakers in good stead. This is good for Thailand's international profile, they seem to believe.

What remains at issue is state funding. Last year there was so much fuss about the way a special fund for Thai film production was allocated by ministry officials - and not all the money ended up in the pockets of filmmakers who needed it.

Out of last year's fund of Bt200 million to support film production, the subcommittee allocated Bt160 million for feature films, Bt10 million for shorts, documentaries, experimental and non-current films, Bt10 million for series and television dramas, Bt10 million for games and Bt10 million for animation.

The Culture Ministry reassured filmmakers that the allocation would be administered justly and fairly. But many independent filmmakers were unhappy with the fact that up to Bt100 million was allocated for one high-profile film while films that won international awards had received little or no support from the government.

It remains uncertain whether there will be another special film fund.

"Kon Khon", which was partially funded by the government's Thai Khem Kang (Strong Thailand) initiative, tells the story of duelling khon (masked dance) troupes that staged competing performances of the Ramakien, Thailand's version of India's classic Ramayana, in the 1960s. Love triangles and betrayals are thrown in to add drama to the story and set up a religious message about karma.

With the endorsement of the Culture Ministry, the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand selected "Kon Khon" for submission to the Academy Awards, saying the movie is "unique to Thailand and promotes the Kingdom's arts and culture".

Some critics insist that this film is not good enough to represent Thailand, and say that Oscar-winning films don't necessarily need to be representative of national identity or age-old culture.

Directed by actor-turned-filmmaker and People's Alliance for Democracy activist Saranyoo Wongkrachang, the film was a flop at the box office, opening in a wide release over the weekend of August 25-28 and earning less than Bt8 million as of September 18, according to Box Office Mojo.

So far, none of Thailand's selections for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film have ever made the shortlist of nominees, not even last year's selection of the Cannes-winning "Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives" by Apichatpong Weerasethapong.

It's hoped that proper state funding of quality Thai film production will help improve the outlook of the Thai movie industry.

-- The Nation 2011-10-06

[MaxYakov]

It's hoped that proper state funding of quality Thai film production will help improve the outlook of the Thai movie industry.

Hope and Change ...

[MaxYakov]

I have an idea! Let's keep this thread entirely, substantially anyway, on-topic and nominate our own favorite Thai movies. My nomination is Werewolf in Bangkok 2004. Even though it didn't get a great IMDB score, I thought Debbie Bazoo did a great job as a comic foil, but it was an amusing spoof. Fortunately, it was subtitled in English on True Films Asia.

Note: Links are underlined (except this one).

[unanimosity]

100M baht? That is about 3 billion baht short of what one feature film costs to produce in America, and not an expensive one at that. Here's an idea. How about having a film festival in Thailand and see if it is possible to win an award there. Get the Greens to promote it and give kickbacks to the TAT governor so they will get arrested and sent to jail while the success of the Thai film is guaranteed by tea money and the TAT governor is a respected protagonist for paving her way to freedom with Green's farang money. This is looking like a script in the making and it could go on to show the trickle down effect of jet-ski operators, predatory ladies, and tuk-tuk drivers taking lessons from the governor and MPs (Mafioso in Parliament) on how to extort foreigners.

[wintermute]

The reason why the latest film releases have been crap is because the people in charge stifle creativity and only allow their friends, relatives, etc.. to be in the film business. The most talented end up getting financing outside of Thailand.

[kartman]

The reason why the latest film releases have been crap is because the people in charge stifle creativity and only allow their friends, relatives, etc.. to be in the film business. The most talented end up getting financing outside of Thailand.

Do you mean that short bald bloke whose face i seem to see on every new film poster he must make them in shifts.

[wintermute]

The reason why the latest film releases have been crap is because the people in charge stifle creativity and only allow their friends, relatives, etc.. to be in the film business. The most talented end up getting financing outside of Thailand.

Do you mean that short bald bloke whose face i seem to see on every new film poster he must make them in shifts.

You mean Petchtai Wongkamlao right?

I think that guy is actually legit and came up in show biz the hard way. On the other hand a lot of the soap stars you see and the "new" actors are actually sons and daughters of the wealthy elite. The own the industry and media and just put their family in front of the camera.

[EvilDrSomkid]

I have actually seen Kon Khon. It's not too bad, but not real good either. Met the director briefly, too. Tall guy.

Just like in every industry in this country, there is skimming of the top and nepotism. Gee, what a surprise.

I'd say 30 to 40% of the 200 mil goes into certain peoples pockets.

The Kon Khon director, P'Tua, played in Suriyothai. One of the female leads in Kon Khon plays young Suriyothai (and her daughter).

[animatic]

Besides the nepotism and ego stroking of HiSo's in the industry, the culture ministers are never chosen because they have any understanding of actual culture, and cultural shifts and resonances, but because they are conservative and fight innovation and change to the historical IMAGE of the culture the old crowd remember it as,. And they actively fight any portrail of current Thailand under age 30 that exists, because it doesn't fit their 'rose colored' memories.

The real Thailand is overflowing with great stories that would enchant the world, but that is exactly what the 'ministerial powers that be' do NOT want the world to see. Don't let reality counteract Tourism of Thailand's carefully made hagiography to the olden days.

[Soutpeel]

At least this article didnt mention Thailand becoming a hub for regional film making or that they have a master plan to get an Oscar nomination...