Culture Ministry aims to set up committee for ‘Wild Boars’ movie

The prompt action follows the high demand from Hollywood production companies who want to make a movie about the marathon cave rescue operation of the Mu Pa (Wild Boars) Academy football club and its coach who were trapped in flooded Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai. 
“Five international film production companies have proposed to the Commerce and Foreign ministries that they make a movie and a documentary about the rescue operation,” Vira said at Government House.
Chaired by Wissanu Krua-gnam, the National Film Broad agreed to set up a special film board committee to oversee the filming. The committee will include officials from the Culture, Commerce and Tourism and Sport ministries. 
“The committees will be concerned about the accuracy of the story, the rights of the [team], the rescuers and other related agencies, as well as the image of Thailand. They will also be concerned about the impact of film production to the film locations,” Vira said.
“We are pleased to support both Thai and international film productions to make a movie and documentary on “Mu Pa” if they follow Thai laws,” Vira said.
The ministry did not reveal the name of the recent production companies that expressed interest. However, two American producers have been scouting Tham Laung for their potential movie – before the last five members of the team were rescued on July 10. 
Michael Scott, managing partner of Pure Flix films and co-producer Adam Smith have been conducting preliminary interviews around the cave site.
The Discovery Channel produced an hour-long documentary, titled “Operation Thai Rescue”, that will be aired in Thailand on July 23 at 8.55pm.
A similar project – “The 33” directed by Patricia Riggen – told the story of the 2010 mining disaster in Chile that trapped 33 miners for two months. Although it had a cast of Antonio Banderas, Josh Brolin and Juliette Binoche, the $26 million (Bt870 million) budget film made only $24.9 million at the box office worldwide.