Drug-laced 'Countdown' to the Oscars

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER “Countdown” is Thailand’s submission to the 86th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.
Directed by Nattawat Poonpiriya and produced by the GTH studio, “Countdown” is about a trio of young Thai hipsters in New York who are trapped in their apartment and terrorised on New Year’s Eve by an unhinged drug dealer named Jesus.
It’s been a hit on the festival circuit and has won many awards at home, particularly for actor David Asavanond as the crazy Bible-toting pusher with the goatee.
The drug-laced “Countdown” is perhaps a surprising choice for Thailand’s Oscar submission, but then perhaps not with GTH chief executive Visute Poolvoralucks currently heading the industry’s Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand, which handles the Academy Award pick.
Water-cooler talk had it that the mega-hit horror comedy “Pee Mak Phrakanong”, also a GTH film, might be submitted.
Another contender among pundits was the indie director Kongdej Jaturanrasmee’s teenage drama “Tang Wong”, a current critical favourite that touches on Thai traditional dance – an element that made it seem like a shoe-in for the Thai Oscar pick.
But in the end, it was “Countdown”, which was released in Thai cinemas last December. It’s GTH’s third submission, following 2005’s “The Tin Mine” (“Maha'lai Muang Rae”) in 2005 and “Best of Times” (“Khwam Cham San Tae Rak Chan Yao”) in 2009.
It’s only the second time Thailand has sent a debut feature to the Oscars, a feat not matched since 1997, with Oxide Pang’s “Who Is Running?”
Thailand’s pick joins several other Southeast Asian entries, including a handful of films from countries outside the region.
Australia is submitting “The Rocket”, a Lao-Isaan family drama directed by Kim Mordaunt that was filmed partly in Laos and partly in Thailand and features a mostly Thai cast.
Three Tagalog films are in the running. The Philippines has submitted Hannah Espia’s Israel-set immigration drama “Transit”, which also is in Hebrew. Singapore’s pick is Anthony Chen’s family drama “Ilo Ilo”, which also has Mandarin, Hokkien and hopefully not too much English. And the UK is submitting Sean Ellis’ crime drama “Metro Manila”.
Cambodia has submitted “The Missing Picture” by Rithy Panh. Vietnam had intended to submit the historical drama “Thien Menh Anh Hung” (“Blood Letter”), but withdrew it because it wasn’t released during the qualifying timeframe of October 1 to September 30.
Last year, Thailand submitted Pen-ek Ratanaruang’s hitman thriller “Headshot”, his fourth try for an Oscar. It was among a record 71 submissions.
The field will be narrowed to a shortlist of nine with the eventual five finalists announced on January 16.

The nines have it
Twelve awards were handed out at the recent 9FilmFest at Bangkok’s Paragon Cineplex, but only one of the directors got to drive away in the top prize – a brand new Toyota Vios.
That honour went to Disspong Sampattavanich for “The Guardians”, a drama about a river village’s “crazy man”, who is in mourning over the drowning of his young son. He’s determined to learn to swim. The film’s star, Supachai Gertsuwan, took the award for best actor.
Another big winner was “Lie”, by writer-director Narongchai Parthumsuwan. The tale of a dumpy middle-aged man who poses on the Internet as a handsome pop singer won for its screenplay and special jury prize.
“The Great River”, the tale of children growing up by a polluted canal won for costume design. The Leadership Award went to the teen-gone-wrong drama “Distortion”.
Best editing when to the silent-film comedy “Teppanyaki Kamakazi”, about a hilariously distracted novice sushi chef.
Best producer honours when to Byron Bishop, Sahajak Boonthanakit and Peter Alan Lloyd for the crime comedy “Clueless?” It also was awarded best actress for the performance by Joy Villanueva.
Best cinematography went to Pathara Buranadilok on “Bangkruai Pradesh”, which covered the 2011.
Best director went to the Los Angeles-set comedy “Clock Blocked” by Robert Peters.
And best creativity went to “The Cream”, a cautionary tale about the use of skin-whitening lotion by Naruphon Punphairoj and Satit Ngerntong
Prizes were handed out by jury that included Prachya Pinkaew, MR Chalermchatri “Adam” Yukol, Tanwarin Sukkhapisit, Ananda Everingham, Areeya “Pop” Sirisopa and Yuthana “Ted” Boon-orm, with other celebrities in attendance including Vithaya “Poo” Pansringarm, Jill Roger and Cindy Bishop.