Two awards, maybe three, Ter is happy, Ter is happy
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Director Nawapol "Ter" Thamrongrattanarit is a happy man indeed this week after Netpac (the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) named his second independent feature, "Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy", the Best Asian Film of the year at the Taipei
It’s perfect timing, too, because “Mary” had its VIP and press premiere in Thailand last Friday at Siam Square’s Lido. It opens this Thursday at Lido, House and a few other cinemas.
Ter was obviously quite taken aback when the award was announced in Taipei.
“I wasn’t even in my seat when they announced it onstage,” he told his fans on Twitter. “I forgot everything I’d planned to do. I didn’t give my camera to anyone on my team. But luckily someone used a mobile phone to get a picture of the presentation for me.
“I went up on the stage, received the award and made a speech. It happened so fast, in just the blink of an eye, and it was done!”
Facebook gave Ter a little more room to express his delight. “This is the first award for the film. Thank you to the jury members. Nawapol is happy!” Yes, just like Mary.
The young man has every reason to feel like he’s on top of the world. Back home SEA Write Award laureate Prabda Yoon praised him as one of the top filmmakers of his generation. Prabda also tweeted to Ter that he would love to see him direct a science-fiction movie.
Perhaps he’ll get that chance now that his name is on the film-festival map. (Watch for Prabda in “Mary Is Happy” – he plays an oddball teacher who quits his job to become a movie stuntman.)
There was more great news on Sunday, right after “Mary” scooped the Netpac award. His feature directorial debut, “36”, earned the prize for Best Feature Film Screenplay at L’Alternativa A 20 Festival de Cinema Independent in Barcelona, Spain.
Again, Ter was quickly on the Twitter machine. “I thank all the cast members and all the filmgoers, as always (think I always say the same),” he digitally giggled. “Now ‘36’ is in competition at the Festivals des 3 Continents in Nantes, France, which ends [today]. So we are looking forward to seeing whether we will win another prize.”
Well, fingers are crossed and hopes high, but even his biggest fans like Prabda know that winning three international awards in the space of one week is asking quite a bit.
