IN CELEBRATION OF CINEMA

Film buffs had much to celebrate late in January with the holding of both the 9th World Film Festival of Bangkok and the first Hua Hin International Film Festival.

The World Film Fest wrapped on Friday after eight days of great movies with its customary chill out event and outdoor screenings at new community mall The Nine on Rama IX Road. 

The low-key night featured the animation “Earthly Paradise” from Chile and a collection of shorts by Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki and received a warm welcome from the more than 200 audience members who sat on beanbags and stools and sipped free. Flowing beer and drinks. Hosted by the festival director Kriengsak “Victor” Silakong, the VIP guests included representatives from the Finnish Embassy.

 

 

Opening night at Hua Hin

 

  More than 200 kilometres from The Nine, The Intercontinental Hua Hin Beach Resort Hotel laid out its red carpet for the opening of the first Hua Hin International Film Festival. 

Hollywood superstar Ryan Gosling was there along with his director Nicolas Winding Refn and his wife. 

They are shooting new project “Only God Forgives” in Bangkok. Korean superstars So Ji Sub and Han Hyu Ju were in town to present their romantic drama project “Always”. And of course there were plenty of Thai celebrities and actors, among them veteran actress Penpak Sirikul and new actor Parama “Punjun” Imanothai, whose movie “It Gets Better” opened the fest.

French director Luc Besson and Michelle Yeoh presented their film “The Lady”, the story of Burmese icon, Aung San Suu Kyi.