In time with 'Timeline'

Thai filmmaker Nonzee Nimibutr has directed films of just about every genre during his long and illustrious film career, consistently enjoying hits with his gangster and horror flicks though less success with his thrillers and action-fantasy adventures.

Now he’s turning to romance with the release next month of “Timeline Jodmai Khwam Songjam” starring Piyathida Worramusik, Peter Noppachai Jayanama, Jarinporn Joonkiat and Jirayu “James” Tangsrisuk.

It’s the story of Mat (Piyathida), a mother forced to raise her son Tan (James) on her own after being widowed early in her marriage. In this she gets help from Wat (Noppachai), who falls in love with her. Tan is expected to be like his dad but instead wants to escape what he regards as the narrow confines of his mother’s world. His dreams look like coming true when he meets Tune (Jarinporn), a free spirit who knows what she wants from life. The young woman quickly makes up for what Tan feels he’s missing and in the process helps him reconnect with his mother.

“Love is very much in the fast lane in this era of social networking. People fall in love easily and break up just as easily in just a few clicks on Line or Facebook. In the past, it took much longer to get to know each other. This helped build more profound relationships and, at least in my view, brought more stability to life as two. Couples could look back at the moments they enjoyed as a pair and that helped them get through the hard times,” says the 51-year-old director.

Nonzee also did some looking back, albeit at movies rather than relationships, and was inspired by “The Letter”, Pha-oon Jantasiri’s 2004 remake of the Korean film of the same name, which he produced. The tear-jerker relates the story of a woman left alone to raise a young son after her lover dies from a brain tumour.

Nonzee insists “Timeline” is not a sequel to “The Letter”, arguing that Pha-oon’s movie depicts love through woman’s eyes. “Timeline” on the other hand represents love from the man’s side and draws heavily on his personal experience as both a father and as a son.

Nonzee, who also wrote the script, says “Timeline” is his simplest film he has ever done. His debut, “2499 Antapan Krong Muang” (“Dang Bireley's and Young Gangsters”) back in 1997 right through to his latest, last year’s psycho-thriller “Khon Lohk Jit” (“Distortion”), have relied heavily on visual and production design. While his efforts have been acknowledged for their role in setting new standards for the Thai film industry, the strong visuals have also been criticised for dominating both plot and acting.

He worked on the production design for “Timeline” but says he intervened far less than usual, choosing instead to work closely with his actors. “Their chemistry is terrific and gave me much more than I expected,” Nonzee says.

“Piyathida is a great actress who knows exactly what she’s doing and Jarinporn is charming in her portrayal of Tune,” says the director, adding that he’s known Piyathida for a decade but never had the chance to work with her until now.”

Piyathida said yes as soon as she finished reading the script.

“He’s so good at making romantic movies that I can’t understand why it took him to long to embark on this genre,” the actress said during the press conference last Friday at Central World.

Soap star James is the least experienced member of the talented cast but Nonzee is delighted with his efforts.

He cast James a week before his first drama was aired on TV. Unfortunately, filming in Bangkok started just as James was coming under attack for refusing to pose with TV host Sujira “Nui” Arunpipat, and the youngster was so stressed at all the gossip that he found working difficult.

Nonzee was sympathetic to the young actor’s plight so didn’t pile on the pressure. James recovered by the time the crew moved up to Chiang Mai and away from the eyes of prying paparazzi and was finally to focus on his role.

But while the director is content with his project, he’s not expecting it to be a box office success.

“My only hope is that it makes a little money for the producer, especially as my previous films have been a financial disappointment,” he says with a wry smile.

Nonzee’s directorial debut “Dang Bireley’s and The Young Gangster” revived the Thai film industry at the end of the last century thanks to its slick production and was the first Thai film to make Bt75 million at the box office. His second film, the horror flick “Nang Nak”, also broke a record pulling in more than Bt149 million.

But his more recent outings have been box office flops, especially the big budget productions “Queens of Langkasuka”, “OK Baytong” and “Khon Loke Jit” (“Distortion”).

Over the past few years, Nonzee has worked on TV dramas too and his latest, “Nuea Mek 2 Mue Prab Jom Khamung Wej”, made headlines after Channel 3 decided to ban the film due to the political content.

 

COMING SOON

 “Timeline Jodmai Khwam Songjam” will be in cinemas on February 13.