It Gets Better' for Thai Film Director Association

Held at the Crowne Plaza Bangkok hotel last Thursday, the day before the Subhanahongsa Awards, the third annual Thai Film Director Association Awards heralded a few surprises for the local film industry with the transgender drama “Mai Dai Khor Hai Ma Ruk” (“It Gets Better”) winning best picture.

That was a surprise not because of the film’s subject matter but because its director, Tanwarin Sukkhapisit, is the association president.

“Is it appropriate to let me, the president, win the award?” asked the stunned and tearful transgender filmmaker as she went to receive her prize. The other directors quickly voiced their support, shouting “why not?” and pointing out that the result was based on votes from the association’s members.

Two independent movies, “36” and “Tae Piang Phoo Diaw” (“P-047”), which didn’t get even a single nomination for industry’s Subhanahongsa Awards, were named as runners-up for best picture. 

“36” director Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit won best director and Kongdej Jaturanrasmee was named runner-up in the category.

“It Gets Better” beat out seven other nominees: “36”, “P-047”, “Yod Manut Ngern Duen” (“Super Salaryman”), “Jan Dara Prathom Bote” (“Jan Dara: The Beginning”), “Home Kwam Ruk Kwam Sook Kwam Songjam”, “Rak Jed Pee Dee Jed Hon” (“Seven Something”) and the animated “Yak: The Giant King”.

Directors who are association members are entitled to voting rights. So far, the association has around 150 members and this year, around 80 took part in the vote.

The TFDA also honours the forgotten assistant directors who work with the award-winning directors and, in another departure from other ceremonies, before announcing the winners, a director talks about the nominee’s work, explaining why they won a nod.

Songyos Sukmakanan praised best director winner Nawapol for his endurance, saying he was someone who goes to the bitter end to make his films in the way he loves.

“He doesn’t rush to reach his dream, but achieves it with patience. I’m so jealous he can keep his integrity in his work,” Songyos said.

Nawapol, who was in Venice taking part in the Biennale College, shared his thanks via video.

Nawapol beat Kongdej for “P-047”, Kongkiat Komesiri for “Antapal”, Tanwarin for “It Gets Better”, ML Bhandevanov Devakula for “Jan Dara: The Beginning”, Chookiat Sakveerakul for “Home” and Paween Purijitpanya, Adisorn Trisirikasem and Jira Maligool for “Seven Something”.

This year’s lifetime achievement award went to silver-haired helmer Chalong Phakdeewijit, who made a string of gritty action films from the 1970s to the ’90s. Also known as Philip Chalong, he made several movies that brought Thai and Hollywood actors together. Among them were 1976’s “STAB” with Sombat Methanee and Greg Morris from TV’s “Mission: Impossible”, 1990’s “The Lost Idol” with Sorapong Chatree and Erik Estrada from TV’s “CHiPs” and “In Gold We Trust” with Jan-Michael Vincent and Sam Jones.

National Artist Dokdin Kanyamarn, who was honoured last year, presented the award to Chalong, commenting, “It is a moving moment when an 89-year-old gives the award to an 81-year-old in front is all these junior colleagues.”

The ceremony was relaxed, often feeling more like a high-school reunion party. The directors hung out, chatted and encouraged their nominated pals. There was also the chance to meet new directors in a casual atmosphere.

 

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