Nervous Pen-ek deeply in debt
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Filmmaker Pen-ek Rattanaruang is a man of unique style, and it's not limited to the screen.
He was pretty amusing at the Subhanahongsa Awards on Sunday night, where he received the Best Director trophy for “Headshot”.
First he glanced at the award presenter, fellow filmmaker Nonzee “Oui” Nimitbutr, and remarked that “Phi Oui is always at these events!”
Pen-ek launched into what sounded like it was going to be a conventional litany of gratitude to all the folks who made it possible, but then stopped. “Let me just say thanks to everyone. If I forget anyone’s name I might upset them. As to my team, I promise I’ll take all you guys out to celebrate.”
So we didn’t get to hear the names of the people on his team, but Pen-ek couldn’t afford to ignore his financial supporters. First he had a little go at the Culture Ministry’s Thai Khem Kaeng fund – failing to say its actual name.
Then he recited a list of his foreign backers. “There are quite a few names to mention, but that’s because they’re the ones who minimise my risks!”
Pen-ek’s parting shot was aimed at himself. He seemed atypically nervous and he knew it. “If you meet me outside,” he said, “I sound much better than this.”
Next big thing
Season 8 of the TV singing contest “The Star” wrapped up on Sunday night with Phuket native Jaruwat “Dome” Cheawaram becoming the latest entertainer allowed to adopt “The Star” as his nickname.
Dome’s chubby-next-door-neighbour looks won the hearts of the judges and fans, who rewarded him with a landslide of votes. He doesn’t give the gossips much to go on – we’ll think of something eventually – but in the meantime an extraordinary coincidence was noticed.
At the end of every one of its eight seasons, the two finalists of “The Star” have stood side by side onstage, and it’s always been the contestant standing on the left who’s won. You can bet on it.
