A night at the movies

The World Film Festival of Bangkok threw open its doors on Friday night, welcoming distinguished guests and directors to the opening ceremony at SF World Cinema.

Presided over by Chaweerat Kasetsoontorn assistant to the Culture Minister, it fell to the ministry’s director general, Apinan Poshyananda, to present this year’s Lotus Award for Lifetime Achievement to actor-director Pisan Akaraseranee in recognition of his filmmaking works in the 1980 and ’90s. 

The festival opened with the heart-warming documentary “Poo Somboon”, which chronicles the daily life of an elderly man who takes care of his ailing wife’s needs. Somboon’s kids took over for the night to allow the old man to attend the screening though he was quick to return to his Ayutthaya home.

Film directors led by Nonzee Nimibutr, Ekachai Uekrongtham, Lee Chatumetikool, Kongdej Jaturanrasmee and Nithiwat Tharatorn also attended the opening.

  The World Film Festival of Bangkok turns 12 this year and continues through Sunday, screening 59 acclaimed movies from around the globe. This year too, it will be travelling out to the provinces, offering viewers in Khon Kaen, Pattaya and Chiang Mai the chance to see features, shorts and documentaries they would not usually have the chance to enjoy.