Mainstream vs independent, urban vs rural
“Bad Genius” will go up against “Thai Baan The Series” at the Bangkok Critics Awards
The nominating committee for the Subhanahongsa awards was not the only one to announce its choices for Thailand’s award season last week. Coming hot on its heels was the Bangkok Critics Assembly, who confirmed “Bad Genius” likely sweep by giving it 11 nods in 10 categories.
But the critics also ramped up the competition, awarding the breakout regional hit “Thai Baan The Series” exactly the same number of nominations.
“#BKKY”, the independent film about teenage life in Bangkok, came home with seven nods including best film and director for Nontawat Numbenchaphol.
Another independent documentary, “Morn Rotfai” (“Railway Sleepers”), was nominated for five awards, including best film and director, drawing with GDH’s “Phuan Thee Raluek” (The Promise).
“Insects in the Backyard” and “Siam Square” were next up with four nods apiece.
Other filmmakers contesting the best director prize are Nattawut Poonpiriya (“Bad Genius”), Thanwarin Sukkhapisit (“Insects in the Backyard”) and Surasak Pongsorn (“Thai Baan The Series”).
While the emphasis from the critics was more on independent productions, the Assembly followed Subhanahongsa in nominating Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying and Chanon Santinatorn kul of “Bad Genius” for best actress and best actor.
“Bad Genius” also scored two nominations for both the supporting actor/actress categories, with Thanet Warakulnukroh of “Pop Aye” also doing well and “Thai Baan The Series” scoring twice for best song.
Jarinporn Joonkiat and Rattanarat Aurthaveekul from “Die Tomorrow” are up for the best actress award, but Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit was left out of the running for a best director nomination.
The only perfomer to be recognised in both the best actress and supporting actress categories is Ploy Sornarin, whose leading role in “15+ IQ Krachood” earns her the best actress nod and her portrayal of a mysterious student girl in “Siam Square” the best supporting actress nomination.
The final selection will be made by members of the assembly and will, as in the past, include a young-filmmaker award.
The ceremony is slated for March 28 but the venue is still to be announced.
