Who Likes Thai Films?

[greedisgood]

Went to see the flick also Not bad for a Thai movie. wonder how the director ended up in LOS ?

http://www.pbar.info/index.html

Last Weekend  one of the movies that I saw at the New York Asian Film Festival was the U.S. Premiere of "P", which in Thai means I guess means  " Ghost "....

It was the only Thai Language film picked to show at the Film Festival.

Here is a brief description from the subway cinema site that sums up the film very neatly:

"A nice young lady from the country heads to Bangkok and winds up as a bargirl. She uses black magic in order to hook more customers, and if you’ve ever seen any movies you know this won’t end well. A juicy, character-driven horror movie that’s steeped in freaky folklore."

Main charcter Dau preforming ancient Pali incantations...

A more detailed description is at the Festival website Here.

As most of you all know,Thailand produces dozens of low budget ghost stories for the local Thai market every year , but very few ever make it outside of the country.

But "P" is a different type of Thai horror movie. It is also unique in that it's one of two  Thai language films ever shot by a westerner, Paul Spurrier ( who, if you are old enough like me to remember, was that little kid who played in the "Max Headroom  " TV series in the early '80's ).

"P",  is very controversal in that it depicts underage prostitution and sex tourism, which though dead - on accurate, met with major obstacles in Thailand. As everyone here knows, the present Thai government  is VERY keen on cleaning up Thailand's image around the world, and play down it's reputation as a center of Sex Tourism......

The bad bar girls May and New ( on Stage ) and the main character Dau ( right hand corner ) looking on...

Here is a link to an interesting Interview  with director Paul Spurrier regarding his making of the film.

The film had to be produced in secret as a local production, in order to avoid Thailand's censorship laws, which in the case for foriegn films, script submission and approval. I think it's ironic that a movie filmed in and about Thailand won't be shown in the country any time soon, the filmmakers have been told that no distribution company in the country will ever shown the film, at least for now in the current political climate .

It was even mentioned that the film print that was shown here in New York actually had to be actually smuggled via Europe in Director Paul Spurrier's hand luggage to avoid an export license, which the filmakers were warned would be impossible to get...

   

The film has also caused other controversy, with the main actress who plays the " Awh / Dau " character, Suangporn Jaturaphut, is actually the niece of a very famous Thai soap opera star. After she got  the role as a prostitute in a Go-Go bar ( being the age of 17! )in the movie after replacing another actress who got cold feet, she was actually disowned by her aunt and other members of ther family, and risked even being kicked out of her school,  Assumption university!

I am not a really big fan of Thai horror films, I find most of them are lacking in originality and very derivative ( a few years ago, I saw the Thai horror movie " Hien" ( the Mother ) back in a Chiang Mai movie theater with some Thai friends, Aferward, I told them that it was a near - ripoff of the Japanese " Ringu " movie. I also wasn't even  too thrilled when I with the Pang Brother's " The Eye " either.....

But I have been looking forward to seeing "P" ever since Paul Spurrier first announced his project at a certain Thai - Expat website a few years ago, and was looking for financial backers.I was very intrigued with the unique idea of mixing Ghosts with Bargirls, something that would probably most likely been not have been done with a Thai production. I have to say, I liked the film very much! While "P" is not the best Horror movie I've ever seen, has some problems. Some parts of the movie  was pretty amaturish, which is understandable with a beginning director. But trust me it is hands above any local Thai movie of this genre, which is unique in that it mixes fantasy/horror with stark realism - something Thai Horror movies as far as I know don't usually do.

And I actually  liked the ending, something never happens when I watch T- Horror! Anyway,I hope this movie would be the begining of more foriegn produced Thai language films about Thailand, in many cases,they are actually better than the locally made ones!

I'm not sure if it will ever be shown in Thailand, but if you are not there, and in your own country, keep an eye out for it if it opens at a "foriegn/art" film theater near you when it will eventually be widely released here in America, Europe and the Asia ( The print that I saw was subtitled in English ). Even though Spurrier now is trying very hard to show this film to Thai audiences in theaters, I would not be surprised in the slightest if one see the DVD being sold on Sukumvit very soon... 

To conclude this review, I liked "P"  alot, It's a Good Scarey movie - and very funny at points, yet also very sad!

After the movie was over, I talked to  other people that saw it at the festival, and they also liked it also. It's getting a good word of mouth here. It's a Thai-language film, but paced stylewise like  a good Western Horror movie. If you're interested, The official website of  "P" is here.

Hmmm.... This movie will probably defintiely convince foreign guys not go to those naughty Go-Go's in Bangkok!...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Narachon]

When I was recently in Thailand, I was taken to see a new popular movie comedy, called ( in English ) "Dumber Heros". Basically, it was about these Thai police officers who go undercover as doctors at a mental institution / insane Asylum to flush out a dangerous bomber that is hiding out there. There are also two subplots included, one with a group of Hill Tribe guys trying to rob the Asylum to save their village, the second, a Thai shaman who is looking for the pot or bowl containing the spirit of a powerful evil she - ghost.

I don't know who the main actor/comedians , but according to what I saw on Thai variety TV shows, they are pretty popular. The main actress is a beautiful, half Thai actress who plays the main Nurse character ( don't know the name ).

I really could not get into the movie, but the Thai audience around me found it very funny. For some reason, I kept falling asleep during it, something I never do when I go to the movies. My lady-friend that took me to the movie asked me afterward if I liked the movie, she liked it, it was her second time seeing it.

Some scenes were somewhat funny, but for the most part, I was not very humorous to me. But then again, the movie was not made for a foreigner like me in mind - Maybe you have to be a Thai person to really enjoy it.

Edited August 6, 2005 by Narachon

[joebuzzard]

When I was recently in Thailand, I was taken to see a new popular movie comedy, called ( in English ) "Dumber Heros". Basically, it was about these Thai police officers who go undercover as doctors at a mental institution / insane Asylum to flush out a dangerous bomber that is hiding out there. There are also two subplots included, one with a group of Hill Tribe guys trying to rob the Asylum to save their village, the second, a Thai shaman who is looking for the pot or bowl containing the spirit of a powerful evil she - ghost.

  I don't know who the main actor/comedians , but according to what I saw on Thai variety TV shows, they are pretty popular. The main actress is a beautiful, half Thai actress who plays the main Nurse character ( don't know the name ).

I really could not get into the movie, but the Thai audience around me found it very funny. For some reason, I kept falling asleep during it, something I never do when I go to the movies. My lady-friend that took me to the movie asked me afterward if I liked the movie, she liked it, it was her second time seeing it.

Some scenes were somewhat funny, but for the most part, I was not very humorous to me. But then again, the movie was not made for a foreigner like me in mind - Maybe you have to be a Thai person to really enjoy it.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I too was "taken" to this movie and was quite underwhelmed.

The humor is most definitely Thai humor, with a lot of puns and wordplays that the subtitles do not do justice.

I suspect a lot of the humor was race-based -- you know, simple hill-tribe people, etc. But really, Hollywood is no better with the black (as in African-American) comedies and remakes of old (white) TV shows it churns out.

I forget the name of the lead actress, but the lead comedian -- the bald-headed guy -- is Thep Po-Ngam, a veteran comedian, writer and director. He's done better -- particularly Killer Tattoo and Sars Wars, which I found extremely hilarious.

Back to Dumber Heroes -- I did enjoy the bit with the ghost -- it was Nang Nak, one of the most filmed characters in Thai cinematic history.

Skip Dumber Heroes and save your Thai movie energy for Tom Yum Goong, the Legend of Mae Nak, Hello Yasothon and Invisible Waves.

[Narachon]

Skip Dumber Heroes and save your Thai movie energy for Tom Yum Goong, the Legend of Mae Nak, Hello Yasothon and Invisible Waves.

Wish I could have skipped "Dumber Heroes", but definitely looking forward to "Tom Yum Goong"!

I am a big Tony Jaa fan after seeing "Ong Bak" a few months ago when it opened here in New York. Saw the trailers for the movie before "Dumber Heros", it looks like it's going to be a big hit!

( Will also check out the other movies you recommened too! )

[katana]

Tears of the black tiger!!! well funny totally mental but quite amusing to watch. It is available in hmv for about 4 quid what a bargain

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi,

I just looked on the HMV website. Tears of the Black Tiger is available at £19.99.

Was the £4 offer a temporary thing?

http://tinyurl.com/archg

[Girlfrombar]

Went to see the flick also Not bad for a Thai movie. wonder how the director ended up in LOS ?

            http://www.pbar.info/index.html

Last Weekend  one of the movies that I saw at the New York Asian Film Festival was the U.S. Premiere of "P", which in Thai means I guess means  " Ghost "....

It was the only Thai Language film picked to show at the Film Festival.

Here is a brief description from the subway cinema site that sums up the film very neatly:

"A nice young lady from the country heads to Bangkok and winds up as a bargirl. She uses black magic in order to hook more customers, and if you’ve ever seen any movies you know this won’t end well. A juicy, character-driven horror movie that’s steeped in freaky folklore."

Main charcter Dau preforming ancient Pali incantations...

A more detailed description is at the Festival website Here.

As most of you all know,Thailand produces dozens of low budget ghost stories for the local Thai market every year , but very few ever make it outside of the country.

But "P" is a different type of Thai horror movie. It is also unique in that it's one of two  Thai language films ever shot by a westerner, Paul Spurrier ( who, if you are old enough like me to remember, was that little kid who played in the "Max Headroom  " TV series in the early '80's ).

"P",  is very controversal in that it depicts underage prostitution and sex tourism, which though dead - on accurate, met with major obstacles in Thailand. As everyone here knows, the present Thai government  is VERY keen on cleaning up Thailand's image around the world, and play down it's reputation as a center of Sex Tourism......

The bad bar girls May and New ( on Stage ) and the main character Dau ( right hand corner ) looking on...

Here is a link to an interesting Interview  with director Paul Spurrier regarding his making of the film.

The film had to be produced in secret as a local production, in order to avoid Thailand's censorship laws, which in the case for foriegn films, script submission and approval. I think it's ironic that a movie filmed in and about Thailand won't be shown in the country any time soon, the filmmakers have been told that no distribution company in the country will ever shown the film, at least for now in the current political climate .

It was even mentioned that the film print that was shown here in New York actually had to be actually smuggled via Europe in Director Paul Spurrier's hand luggage to avoid an export license, which the filmakers were warned would be impossible to get...

   

The film has also caused other controversy, with the main actress who plays the " Awh / Dau " character, Suangporn Jaturaphut, is actually the niece of a very famous Thai soap opera star. After she got  the role as a prostitute in a Go-Go bar ( being the age of 17! )in the movie after replacing another actress who got cold feet, she was actually disowned by her aunt and other members of ther family, and risked even being kicked out of her school,  Assumption university!

I am not a really big fan of Thai horror films, I find most of them are lacking in originality and very derivative ( a few years ago, I saw the Thai horror movie " Hien" ( the Mother ) back in a Chiang Mai movie theater with some Thai friends, Aferward, I told them that it was a near - ripoff of the Japanese " Ringu " movie. I also wasn't even  too thrilled when I with the Pang Brother's " The Eye " either.....

But I have been looking forward to seeing "P" ever since Paul Spurrier first announced his project at a certain Thai - Expat website a few years ago, and was looking for financial backers.I was very intrigued with the unique idea of mixing Ghosts with Bargirls, something that would probably most likely been not have been done with a Thai production. I have to say, I liked the film very much! While "P" is not the best Horror movie I've ever seen, has some problems. Some parts of the movie  was pretty amaturish, which is understandable with a beginning director. But trust me it is hands above any local Thai movie of this genre, which is unique in that it mixes fantasy/horror with stark realism - something Thai Horror movies as far as I know don't usually do.

And I actually  liked the ending, something never happens when I watch T- Horror! Anyway,I hope this movie would be the begining of more foriegn produced Thai language films about Thailand, in many cases,they are actually better than the locally made ones!

I'm not sure if it will ever be shown in Thailand, but if you are not there, and in your own country, keep an eye out for it if it opens at a "foriegn/art" film theater near you when it will eventually be widely released here in America, Europe and the Asia ( The print that I saw was subtitled in English ). Even though Spurrier now is trying very hard to show this film to Thai audiences in theaters, I would not be surprised in the slightest if one see the DVD being sold on Sukumvit very soon... 

To conclude this review, I liked "P"  alot, It's a Good Scarey movie - and very funny at points, yet also very sad!

After the movie was over, I talked to  other people that saw it at the festival, and they also liked it also. It's getting a good word of mouth here. It's a Thai-language film, but paced stylewise like  a good Western Horror movie. If you're interested, The official website of  "P" is here.

Hmmm.... This movie will probably defintiely convince foreign guys not go to those naughty Go-Go's in Bangkok!...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

my briefly concluded.... sex (always) sells

anyway,

dont know if anybody already mentioned this classic

"The Moon Hunter"

worth checking out

[fxm88]

Some of the first Thai movies I saw were Ong-Bak, and a couple of other action movies that were good, and also Faen Chan which I thought was really, really good. So I started to go see lots of Thai movies. I was usually disappointed by any comedies, not least because the translations of any jokes were so poor as to make them unfunny. Then there was just such a slew of utter crap -- the bank robbing ladyboys, a slew of badly made ghost movies, more unfunny comedies than you can shake a stick at, and really boring crap like Fake -- that I completely gave up on Thai films and now refuse to see any of them.

Edited August 13, 2005 by fxm88

[thaibebop]

Love Thai films. I will have to read all the perivous posts to get some idea of what else I should see. I have only seen 6ixtynin9, Soriyothai (I know I misspelled that dam!), Ong-Bak, Last Life in the Universe, Bangkok Dangerous, & the Iron Ladies (was that it, I forget right now) But I really want to see more. Living in America I ahve to order online to get stuff or have family send it, but I don't have reviews or anything to choose which movies to pick.

Does anyone know an english site that reviews Thai films?

[baht&sold]

6ixtynin9 Seen it, loved it. Again, anyone know where can I find a copy of this excellent "little" movie? Looked everywhere... no one seems to have it, possibly since it's a couple years old now

[thaibebop]

6ixtynin9   Seen it, loved it. Again, anyone know where can I find a copy of this excellent "little" movie? Looked everywhere... no one seems to have it, possibly since it's a couple years old now 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I found a copy through Amazon and I know Broders carries it as well. Hope that helps.

The lead actress is so pretty, I think that really helps with making it so dark and funny.

[joebuzzard]

Tom Yum Goong? Been there, done that.

For a unique experience in movie viewing, try Yam Yasothon. If you've not seen the Thai musical comedies of the 1960s, then this will be unlike anything you've seen before.

It stars Petchtai Wongkamlao (Mum Jok Mok from Ong Bak and TYG) as an Isaan farmer in 1967 Yasothon. He is bothered by his ugly girlfriend. Meanwhile, there's his handsome young nephew and his girlfriend, who spend all their spare time being sweet to one another.

A wicked aunt puts a stop to this. She wants the pretty young girl to marry a local rich kid, and the ugly gal is supposed to be at home making sure the pretty one doesn't get into trouble.

Eventually, the girls get packed off to Bangkok, and that's when Yam starts to miss his ugly girlfriend's company.

Very colorful, wonderful music, funny (but vulgar) jokes -- just a solid, all-around entertainining movie. Probably the best this year from Thailand.

[Danish27]

Does anybody know where I can get Thai film DVDs with English subtitles? I got 'Kumpapaan' and 'Chan Dara' and 'Suriyothai' with subtitles but can't get 'Fan Chan' with subtitle anywhere. My sister got the Fan Chan dvd for me from a shop in Central Ladpraow. The guy in the shop insisted that there was Eng subtitle despite no indication of it on the box. Needless to say, there wasn't any subtitle...

My partner doesn't speak Thai (although I keep pestering him to learn) and I would really like to share some good Thai films with him.

Any suggestion would be appreciated. I'll have to get my sister to send the DVDs to me from BKK, so if you could recommned a place in BKK to buy DVDs with Eng subtitle that would be great.

Thanks guys!

I bought the Fan Chan movie on DVD at Siam Paragon last Saturday and just finished adding English subtitles.

The movie got the menu and all the extras and movie just like the org. DVD with added English subtitles.

If anybody is interested just pvt me.