Thai Cinema: The Complete Guide

Description

One of the fastest growing and most internationally renowned cinemas in Southeast Asia is that of Thailand. In the first ever book devoted solely to this major centre of creative filmmaking, experts on contemporary and historic Thai film provide a timely overview and discussion of key films, directors and current movements in the region in a comprehensive encyclopaedia format. What many critics, analysts and scholars have retrospectively christened `New Thai Cinema' began to take shape in the late 1990s when national film moved away from its position as lower-class and provincial entertainment and became a firm fixture in Bangkok multiplexes and festivals worldwide. This book will provide information on the influential figures behind the films - up to and succeeding the 1997 watershed film Dang Bireley's and Young Gangsters that began the breakaway movement - as well as detailing and explaining the traditions of popular and art-house genres specific to Thailand. Featuring contributions on Thai visionaries such as Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Wisit Sasanatieng and providing rare insight into early Thai cinema, this is an essential scholarly guide to a vibrant aspect of Southeast Asian cinema - its history, industry and aesthetic trends - for scholars and students alike. Cover Title Copyright Contents List of Illustrations List of Contributors Introduction 1. Key Directors Nonzee Nimibutr Ratana Pestonji Prachya Pinkaew Banjong Pisanthanakun Pen- Ek Ratanaruang Wisit Sasanatieng Yuthlert Sippapak Cherd Songsri Apichatpong Weerasethakul Chatrichalerm Yukol 2. Key Early Productions Miss Suwanna of Siam / Nang Sao Suwan (1923) Double Luck / Chok Song Chan (1927) A Fable from an Uncle: The Magical Ring / Nithan Khong Lung Rueang Waen Wiset (1929) The King of the White Elephant / Phrachao Changphueak (1940) Santi- Vina (1954) Country Hotel / Rong Raem Narok (1957) Mae Nak Phra Khanong (1959) Black Silk / Phrae Dam (1961) Money Money Money / Ngoen Ngoen Ngoen (1965) Sugar Is Not Sweet / Namtan Mai Wan (1965) Ngu Phi (1966) Pisat Saneha (1969) Monrak Lukthung (1970) Golden Eagle / Insi Thong (1970) Tone (1970) Ghost of Guts Eater / Krasue Sao (1973) His Name Is Khan / Khao Chue Kan (1973) The Scar / Phaenkao (1977) Mountain People / Khon Phukao (1979) The Adventure of Sudsakorn / Sudsakorn (1979) Son of the Northeast / Luk Isan (1982) Butterfly and Flowers / Phisuea Lae Dokmai (1985) The Elephant Keeper / Khon Liang Chang (1987) Boonchu Phu Narak (1988) Ban Phi Pop (1989) Song of Chaophraya / Nong Mia (1990) Somsri #422R (1992) A Couple in Two Worlds / Khu Thae Song Lok (1994) Muen and Rid / Amdaeng Muean Kap Nai Rit (1994) Red Bike Story / Chakkrayan Si Daeng (1997) 3. New Thai Cinema Fun Bar Karaoke / Fan Ba Karaoke (1997) 6ixtynin9 / Rueang Talok 69 (1999) Tears of the Black Tiger / Fa Thalai Chon (2000) Transistor Love Story / Monrak Transistor (2001) Mekhong Full Moon Party / Sip Ha Kham Duean Sip Et (2002) Last Life in the Universe / Rueang Rak Noi Nit Mahasan (2003) Citizen Dog / Ma Nakhon (2004) Invisible Waves / Khamphiphaksa Khong Mahasamut (2006) Ploy (2007) 4. Heritage / Nostalgia Dang Bireley’s and Young Gangsters / 2499 Anthaphan Khrong Mueang (1997) Bang Rajan: The Legend of the Village Warriors / Bang Rajan (2000) Behind the Painting / Khanglang Phap (2001) Jan Dara (2001) The Legend of Suriyothai / Suriyothai (2001) My Girl / Faen Chan (2003) The Overture / Hom Rong (2004) The Siam Renaissance / Thawi Phop (2004) 5. Nang Phi / Nang Sayong Khwan / Horror Nang Nak (1999) Buppha Ratri: Flower of the Night / Buppha Ratri (2003) The Unborn / Hian (2003) Sars Wars / Khun Krabi Phi Rabat (2004) Shutter / Shutter Kot Tit Winyan (2004) Zee- Oui (2004) Art of the Devil 2 / Long Khong (2005) Scared / Rap Nong Sayong Khwan (2005) 13 Beloved / 13 Game Sayong (2006) Dorm / Dek Ho (2006) Ghost Game / La-Tha-Phi (2006) Ghost of Valentine / Krasue Valentine (2006) The Unseeable / Pen Chu Kap Phi (2006) The Victim / Phi Khon Pen (2006) Alone / Faet (2007) Body #19 / Body Sop 19 (2007) The House / Ban Phi Sing (2007) Coming Soon / Program Na Winyan Akhat (2008) Phobia / Si Phraeng (2008) The Screen at Kamchanod / Phi Chang Nang (2008) Meat Grinder / Chueat Kon Chim (2009) Slice / Chuean (2009) Ladda Land (2011) Pee Mak / Phi Mak Phra Khanong (2013) 6. Muay Th ai / Action Killer Tattoo / Mue Puen Lok Phra Chan (2001) Beautiful Boxer (2003) Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior / Ong- Bak (2003) Born To Fight / Koet Ma Lui (2004) The Bodyguard / Bodyguard Na Liam (2004) The Protector / Tom Yum Kung (2005) Dynamite Warrior / Khon Fai Bin (2006) Muay Thai Chaiya / Chaiya (2007) Chocolate (2008) Raging Phoenix / Jeeja Due Suai Du (2009) Red Eagle / Insi Daeng (2010) The Gangster / Anthaphan (2012) 7. Comedy / Romantic Comedy OK Baytong (2003) Sayew (2003) M.A.I.D.: Mission Almost Impossible Done / Chaeo (2004) The Holy Man / Luang Phi Teng (2005) Metrosexual / Kaeng Chani Kap I Aep (2006) Noo Hin: The Movie (2006) Seasons Change / Phro Akat Plianplaeng Boi (2006) Bus Lane / Mel Narok Muai Yok Lo (2007) E- Tim Tai Nae (2008) Bangkok Traffic Love Story / Rotfaifa Ma Ha Na Thoe (2009) Hello Stranger / Kuan Muen Ho (2010) 30+ Single On Sale / 30+ Sot On Sale (2011) SuckSeed / SuckSeed: Huay Khan Thep (2011) ATM / ATM: Er Rak Error (2012) I Fine… Th ank You… Love You (2014) Freelance / Freelance: Ham Puay… Ham Phak… Ham Rak Mo (2015) 8. Queer Cinema The Iron Ladies / Satri Lek (2000) The Adventures of Iron Pussy / Huachai Thon Nong (2003) Bangkok Love Story / Phuean Ku Rak Mueng Wa (2007) Haunting Me / Ho Taeo Taek (2007) Love of Siam / Rak Haeng Siam (2007) Me… Myself / Kho Hai Rak Chongcharoen (2007) Th is Area Is under Quarantine / Boriwen Ni Yu Phaitai Kan Kakkan (2008) Yes or No / Yes or No: Yak Rak Ko Rak Loei (2010) It Gets Better / Mai Dai Kho Hai Ma Rak (2012) Supernatural (2014) 9. Animation The Blue Elephant / Khan Kluay (2006) Nak (2008) Yak: The Giant King / Yak (2012) 10. Independent Cinema Mysterious Object at Noon / Dokfa Nai Mue Man (2000) Blissfully Yours / Sut Saneha (2002) One Night Husband / Khuen Rai Ngao (2003) Tropical Malady / Sat Pralat (2004) Syndromes and a Century / Saeng Satawat (2006) Wonderful Town / Mueang Ngao Son Rak (2007) Mundane History / Chao Nokkrachok (2009) Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives / Loong Boonmee Raluek Chat (2009) Eternity / Thirak (2010) Hi- So (2010) 36 (2012) In April the Following Year, There Was a Fire / Sin Me Sa Fon Tok Ma Proi Proi (2012) Mekong Hotel (2012) Concrete Clouds / Phawang Rak (2013) Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy (2013) Paradoxocracy / Pracha Th ip’Th ai (2013) The Last Executioner / Phetchakhat (2014) Bibliography Index