Phra Khanong Shake

In just under a month, “Harlem Shake” has quickly (and thankfully) eclipsed “Gangnam Style” as the viral dance craze of the moment. And, thanks to newspaper articles like this, it’s probably worn out its welcome even quicker.

Nevertheless, the copycat videos of folks in outlandish costumes flailing around to the song’s electronic beats continue to be uploaded to video-sharing websites.

One of the latest to hit the Web is from the cast of the “Pee Mak Phra Khanong”. They’re already in costume, so it seems natural that they’d do a “Harlem Shake” tribute, even if their outfits are from 19th century Siam. And, at just 49 seconds long, watching it won’t strain your brain too much.

Starring Mario Maurer, director Banjong pisanthanakun’s comedy-horror take on the famous “Mak Nak Phra Khanong” ghost story is due in cinemas on March 28.

 

‘Hi-So’ in London

 

“Hi-So”, director Aditya Assarat’s partly autobiographical existential look at a man caught between Eastern and Western cultures, is getting a theatrical release in the UK.

Starring Ananda Everingham, Aditya’s sophomore followup to 2007’s “Wonderful Town”, has a melancholy US-schooled Thai actor on a film location where he’s visited by his American girlfriend (Cerise Leang). Their differences are too vast and he drifts toward a young Thai woman (Sajee Apiwong) who works for the film company. The cycle of doomed relationship then repeats itself.

Set to premiere tonight at the Curzon Renoir near London’s Brunswick Square, it’s the first release by a new independent film distribution company, Day for Night, a name inspired by the English title of French director François Truffaut’s “La Nuit américaine” – a film about making films.

Aditya himself is in London to attend the premiere, which is being supported by Chang beer. And, provided he doesn’t have too much of a Chang hangover, he’ll be at tomorrow’s screening at London’s Hackney Picturehouse.

 

‘Tang Wong’ in Hong Kong

 

After making its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, Kongdej Jaturanrasmee’s latest feature “Tang Wong” will make its Asian premiere at the Hong Kong International Film Festival, which runs March 17 to April 2.

Kongdej’s second venture as an independent filmmaker following last year’s award-winning hit 

“P-047”, “Tang Wong” is about the oath four schoolboys make at a shrine, promising to do a traditional dance if they do well in their endeavours. Trouble is, none of them have a clue how to dance.

“The conflict between modern-day values and traditional culture is amusingly empathised,” says the description on the HKIFF website.

“Tang Wong” is the sole Thai entry in this year’s fest, though several Thai filmmakers – including Aditya, Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Anocha Suwichakornpong – are taking part in the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).

“Tang Wong” was supported by last year’s HAF.