FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

‘Genius’ romps to the finishing post

‘Genius’ romps to the finishing post

GDH’s smash hit “Chalard Games Gong” sweeps the nominations for Thailand’s Oscars

In an announcement that will come as no surprise to Thai cinephiles, the hit movie “Chalard Games Gong” (“Bad Genius”) looks set to sweep this year’s Subhanahongsa awards with an impressive 16 nominations in 15 award categories out of a possible 16, missing out only on “Best Original Song”. 
The nods are well deserved. Not only did Nattawut Poonpiriya’s caper about students planning to cheat in an international test scheme earn the highest box office takings of 2017, it also did very well in foreign markets, thrilling viewers all over Asia and even making it to the US where it opened the New York Asian Film Festival.

 

‘Genius’ romps to the finishing post


Next in the number of nods is Nawapol Thamrongratanarit’s independent film “Die Tomorrow” with 12 nominations in 11 categories. Directors Nattawut and Nawapol will be competing for the best director prize alongside Tanwarin Sukhaphisit, Nontawat Numbenchaphol and Singaporean director Kirsten Tan who made the charming ThaiSingaporean film “Pop Aye”.
Rookie Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying, who played the lead role in “Bad Genius” looks set to win best actress, with her costars Chanon Santinatornkul (best actor), Teeradon Supapunpinyo (best supporting actor) and Eisaya Hosuwan (best supporting actress) also in the running for the big prizes.
Veteran singer/actor Thaneth Warakulnukroh, who just returned to the big screen after a 30-year absence, is up for best supporting actor for his portrayal of an architect facing a mid life crisis in “Pop Aye”. Lee Chatametikool, who edited the film, could score the editing prize. 

 

‘Genius’ romps to the finishing post


Actress Eisaya has also been nominated as best actress for her role in the coming-of-age horror “Siam Square” while the ever-popular Sunny Suwanmethanont has received a best actor nod for playing a professional tennis player in the comedy “Mr Hurt Mue Wang Undab Jeb” (“Mr Hurt”). Sunny is up for best supporting actor too for “Die Tomorrow”, which saw him again working with Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit after their successful collaboration on “Freelance: Ham puay... Ham phak... Ham rak mor”. 
The horror flick “Siam Square” has done well overall, with its other nominations coming for best screenplay, supporting actor for Nathasit Kotimanuswanich, editing, cinematography, sound, and visual effect. 
Thanwarin Sukhaphisit’s 2010 drama “Insects In the Backyard” earned four nods in the best director actor, screenplay and costume categories. “Insects”, originally banned under the provisions of the 2008 Film Act for its subject matter – two teenagers being raised by their transvestite father – finally opened at mainstream cinemas last year after a court battle of seven years. 
GDH horror drama “Phuan Thee Raluek” (“The Promise”) received 11 nominations including best film but failed to score in the director and screenplay categories. The GDH film wasn’t well received, leaving the cinema with just Bt35 million, a low for the major studio.

 

‘Genius’ romps to the finishing post


Independent films retained their popularity with three nods for Nontawat Numbenchaphol’s “#BKKY” in the best director, best actress and best recording and mixing sound.
A surprise inclusion is “Thai Baan The Series”, a regional and low-budget production set in the Thailand’s Northeast. It did well at the box office, earning more than Bt28 million, and is nominated for best film, actor, supporting actor, song and original score.
Docu-drama “Niran Ratree” (“Phantom of Illumination”) about a projectionist at a closed-down stand-alone cinema has a nod for best cinematography. Drama-comedy about the ghost in a karaoke jukebox “Premika Paa Raab” has nominations for best costume, visual effects, make up effects and best original song and is competing with the comedy “Som Phak Sian”, the directorial debut of Busarakam Wongkhamlau, daughter of the comedian/director Phethai “Mum Jokmok”.

 

‘Genius’ romps to the finishing post


Despite bombing at the box office, Poj Anon’s zombie film “Kad Krachaak Grean” has two nods – best makeup effects and best original song – while the sweet romance with Hokkaido as a backdrop “Present Perfect Khae Nee Kor Dee Laew” gets a nomination in the original song category. 
Action period drama “Nai Thongdee Fun Khao” starring the popular boxer Buakhao Banchamek scored well too, earning nods for best costume design and art direction.
And last but not least, “Khon Plon Winyarn” (“Realms”), which quietly left the box office after a very short run, is in competition for best visual effect.
The year the federation is giving the honourable lifetime achievement award to 1980s’ superstar Soraphong Chatree.
Organised by the Federation of Nation Film Associations of Thailand, the awards ceremony will be held at Thailand Cultural Centre on March 11.
 

nationthailand