It was one of 2014’s most popular movies so it comes as no surprise that the feel-good romantic comedy “Kid Tueng Wittaya” (“The Teacher’s Diary”) is leading nominations for the Subhanahongsa national film awards with 13 nods in 17 categories including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor and Actress.
ML Bandevanop “Mom Noi” Devakula’s remake of the classic “Plae Kao” (“The Scar”) comes in second with 12 nominations including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor and Actress.
Yuthlert Sippapak’s coming-of-age romance “Tukkae Rak Pang Mak” (“Chiang Khan Story”) follows with 11 nominations and the top grossing film of 2014, GTH’s “I Fine Thank You Love You”, has 10.
Only one indie fiction film “Phawang Rak” (“Concrete Clouds”), the directorial debut of film editor Lee Chatametikool, has made it into the nominations but it has an impressive 11 nods including Best Picture and Best Director, as well as Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress nominations for Subhanahongsa favourites Ananda Everingham and Apinya Sakuljaroensuk.
A new category, Best Documentary, has been added to take account of the greater number of documentaries released and there will no doubt be strong rivalry between Nawapol Thamrongratanarit’s “The Master”, Krisada Tipchaimeta’s “Poo Somboon” and Nontawat Numbenchapol’s “Sai Nam Tid Chua” (“By The River”).
In what promises to be a disappointment for Thai-Irish director Tom Waller, “Phetchakhad” (“The Last Executioner”), has failed to get even one nomination despite earning its lead actor, Vithaya Parnsringarm, the Best Actor prize at the Shanghai International Film Festival. Waller’s previous film “Sop Mai Ngiab” (“Mindfulness and Murder”) caused ripples when it was nominated in five major categories in 2012.
And past award winner Chookiat Sakveerakul was largely shut out with his latest offering, the horror flick “The Eyes Diary”, which got only one nomination, for Best Makeup.
Despite independent films making up more than half of 2014’s 69 releases, the big studios are once again dominating the nomination list. Many pundits have voiced concern that the Best Picture nominations are not as strong as last year, when they included such indie productions as “Tang Wong” from Kongdej Jaturanrasmee and Nawapol’s “Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy”. To what extent this is related to the theme of this year’s awards – “The Wonder of Humour” – is anyone’s guess.
And five movies were disqualified – or their directors refused to take part – before even lining up at the starting gate. They are the Australian-Lao-Thai production “The Rocket”, “The Legend of King Naresuan”, “Man Pliaw Maak”, “Rak Phasa Arai” (“Myanmar in Love in Bangkok”) and “Muay Jin Din Kong Loke.”
The choice of nominations can be largely credited to the personal tastes of the voters, who this year are made up of 1,500 eligible filmmakers.
The entire award process went through a radical change last year when the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand, which organises the awards, parted company with the jury system and adopted a jury and open system to ensure a wider range of voters.
Teething problems were however experienced when not all the voters were able see all the films and the system has now been adjusted to fix the problem.
Under the new system, 130 voters divided into five groups – producer and director; actor; narration; production design; and sound, picture and CG and who have won awards themselves – will select their choice from among the five nominees in each category.
The second process has already started but final details won’t be announced until Friday. However, it appears that it will encompass all eligible filmmakers who registered with the federation for voting in the awards last year. It seems that entertainment media and film critics will not be invited to cast their votes and it remains unclear if a jury system will be used.
This year, the award ceremony is returning to Bangkok and the event will be held at the Thailand Cultural Centre on March 1. Veteran actor Sombat Methanee will receive the lifetime achievement award.
SUBHANAHONGSA NOMINEES
Here are the nominees for the 24th Subhanahongsa Awards, in selected categories:
BEST PICTURE
“Kid Tueng Wittaya” (“The Teacher’s Diary”)
“I Fine Thank You Love You”
“Phawang Rak” (“Concrete Clouds”)
“Plae Kao” “(“The Scar”)
“Tukkae Rak Pang Mak” (“Chiang Khan Story”).
DIRECTOR
Yuthlert Sippapak, “Chiang Khan Story”
ML Bandevanop Devakula, “The Scar”
Lee Chatametikool, “Concrete Clouds”
Mez Tharatorn, “I Fine Thank You Love You”
SCREENPLAY
Nithiwat Tharatorn, Thosaphol Thiptinnakorn, Suppalerk Ningsanon, Sophana Chaowiwatkool, “The Teacher’s Diary”
Yuthlert Sippapak, “Chiang Khan Love Story”
Lee Chatametikool, “Concrete Clouds”
Boongsong Nakphoo, “Wangphikul” (“Village of Hope”)
Mez Tharatorn, Chaiyaphruek Chalermpornpanich, Benjamaporn Sa-bua, “I Fine Thank You Love You”
ACTOR
Sukrit Wisetkaew, “The Teacher’s Diary”
Jirayu La-ongmanee, “Chiang Khan Story”
Sunny Suwanmethanon, “I Fine Thank You Love You”
Chaiyapol Julien Poupart, “The Scar”
Ananda Everingham, “Concrete Clouds”
ACTRESS
Preechaya Pongthananikorn, “I Fine Thank You Love You”
Davika Hoorne, “The Scar”
Jarinporn Joonkiat, “Jodmai Khwam Songjum” (“Timeline”)
Chermarn Boonyasak, “The Teacher’s Diary”
Janesuda Parnto, “Concrete Clouds”
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Nopachai Jayanama, “Timeline”
Natpat Nimjirawat, “Chiang Khan Story”
Pongpat Wachirabanjong, “The Scar”
Prawith Hansten, “Concrete Clouds”
Popetorn Sunthornyanakij, “I Fine Thank You Love You”
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Apinya Sakuljaroensuk, “Concrete Clouds”
Piyathida Worramusik, “Timeline”
Chanikarn Tangabodi, “Chiang Khan Story”
Sinjai Plengpanich, “The Scar”
Marsha Wattanapanich, “Rak Mod Kaew” (“Love on the Rock”)
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Narupon Chokkanapitak, “The Teacher’s Diary”
Somkid Phukpong, “Chiang Khan Story”
Panom Promchat, “The Scar”
Jarin Pengpanich, “Concrete Clouds”
Pramate Charnkrasae, “Hong Hoon”
FILM EDITING
Thammarat Sumethsupachok, Pongsakorn Chanchalermchai, “The Teacher’s Diary”
Chonlasit Upanigkit, “W”
Thawat Siripong, “Chiang Khan Story”
Lee Chatametikool, Kamontorn Ekwatanakij, “ Concrete Clouds”
Thammarat Sumethsupachok, Thanasak Yanajan, “I Fine Thank You Love You”
Original Song
“Mai Tang Kan” by 25 Hours, “The Teacher’s Diary”
“Yak Hak” by Koo Kaen Band, “Phoobao Thai Baan: E-San Indy”
“Jaikhwam Samkhan” by Musketeer, “Love on the Rock”
“Golden Shower Bloom” by musicians from Karen minority of Klity village, “By the River”
“Walk You Home” from “I Fine Thank You Love You”
RECORDING AND SOUND MIXING
Kantana Sound Studio, “The Teacher’s Diary”
Richard Hocks, “Rak Luang Lorn” (“The Couple”)
Kantana Sound Lab, “Timeline”
Kantana Sound Studio, “The Scar”
Kantana Sound Studio, “The Swimmers”
ORIGINAL SCORE
Chatchai Pongprapapan, “Timeline”
Hualampong Riddim, “The Teacher’s Diary”
Origin Company, Chiang Khan Story”
Piti Kayoonpahn, “The Scar”
Hualampong Riddim, “I Fine Thank You Love You”
ART DIRECTION
Akradej Kaewkote, “The Teacher’s Diary”
Patrick Meesaiyati, “The Scar”
Khacha Ruangthong, “Chiang Khan Love Story”
Ekkarat Homla-or, “Concrete Clouds”
Siranat Ratchusanti, “Hong Hoon”
COSTUME DESIGN
Suthee Muanwaja, “The Teacher’s DIary
Siriwan Karnchoochor, “Chiang Khan Love Story”
Suthee Muanwaja, “I Fine Thank You Love You”
Athit Thriakittiwat, “The Scar”
Cattleya Paosrijaroen, “Concrete Clouds”
MAKEUP
Pichet Wongjansom, “The Swimmers”
Panparit Suvanaprakorn, Kyu Kittichon Kunratchol (QFX Work Shop), “The Eyes Diary”
Montri Watlaiad, “The Scar”
Sirirat Jamfa, “Hong Hoon”
VISUAL EFFECTS
Xhabition, “The Swimmers”
The Post Bangkok, “Sming”
The Renegade V Effect, “Hong Hoon”
Oriental Post, “The Teacher’s Diary”
Nonzee Nimibutr, “Timeline”
Documentary
“The Master”
“Somboon”
“By the River”
