Cinema Scene

On the occasion of His Majesty the King’s 88th birthday, there are films inspired by the deeds of our beloved monarch.
On general release is the animated feature “Khun Thong Daeng: The Inspirations”, which pays tribute to His Majesty’s favourite pet dog with three stories about lovable pooches determined to make a difference.
And back for a special screening this weekend is “Keeta Maha Raja Niphon”, which was first released in May. It’s a compilation of four devotional stories that are in part inspired by musical compositions of His Majesty.
Among them is the dramatic biographical account of the late conservationist Seub Nakhasathien. It’s directed by Parkpoom Wongpoom and stars Nopachai “Peter” Jayanama as the activist friend of wildlife who sacrificed his life. Well-known directors of other segments include Nonzee Nimibutr and Yongyoot Thongkongtoon.
“Keeta Maha Raja Niphon” is screening through Monday at Major Cineplex branches, where free tickets are first-come, first-serve and are handed out at special table an hour before the shows. For details, check www.facebook.com/keetaraja


Also showing

Two films by Lav Diaz – Thanks to generous support from the Japan Foundation, the Thai cinephile group Filmvirus is bringing in two more films by Filipino auteur Lav Diaz for one-off screenings this weekend. They are his Locarno Golden Leopard winner “From What Is Before”, showing on Sunday at House on RCA, and the Typhoon Yolanda documentary “Storm Children”, screening on Monday at Cloud in Chinatown. Running at around 5.5 hours, “From What Is Before” chronicles social collapse in a village under martial law during the Marcos regime. The screenings were announced late last Friday by the Filmvirus crew and spaces went fast. Monday’s event, which includes a talk by Diaz himself, is full, but Sunday’s screening at House might have a few seats left. Reservations are required. For details, e-mail [email protected].

The Friese-Greene Club – “Cool Britannia” on Wednesdays, “Woody Allen’s favourite films” on Thursdays, “Not Such a Wonderful Life” on Fridays, restored classics on Saturdays and “Christmas cheer” on Sundays are the themes for December. Tonight’s anti-wonderful entry is the pardon-my-French title “Baise-moi” while tomorrow has James Dean in “Rebel Without a Cause”. Sunday’s bit of Christmas cheer is 1951’s “Scrooge”, the classic adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, starring Alistair Sim as the greatest humbug of them all. And next Wednesday’s British film is “Underground”, covering a night in the life of a teenage drug dealer. From 1998, it’s the first feature from FGC proprietor Paul Spurrier. And yes, it’s cool. Shows are at 8pm. For details, check FGC.in.th

German Open Air Cinema – The aristocratic von Lengefeld sisters are both in love with the firebrand writer-philosopher Friedrich Schiller in “Beloved Sisters”, a sweeping historical drama that won German Film Awards for costumes and makeup. The show is at 7.30pm on Tuesday, outdoors at the Goethe-Institut on Sathorn Soi 1.

Alliance Francaise – With his previous missing-persons case ending in tragedy, a nearly retired police inspector takes one last case, to track down details about a mysterious mute man who was discovered unconscious on a French beach with no identification. It’s “La Dune”, a 2013 comedy-drama, screening at 7pm on Wednesday. For details, check AFThailande.org.