Our knights in shining pixels
Congratulations are officially due filmmaker Pen-ek Ratanaruang and SF Cinema executive Suvanee Chinchiewchan, who now have France's Chevalier medal Knight Class pinned to their chests, joining World Film Festival of Bangkok director Kriengsak Silakong a
Our knights in shining pixels
Congratulations are officially due filmmaker Pen-ek Ratanaruang and SF Cinema executive Suvanee Chinchiewchan, who now have France’s Chevalier medal Knight Class pinned to their chests, joining World Film Festival of Bangkok director Kriengsak Silakong and artist Pichet Klunchuen on the honours list.
France’s Ministry of Culture and Communication each year awards Medal of Art and Literature to folks around the world deemed worthy for having performed “remarkable work in the creative arts or literature” or who have “devoted themselves to the promotion of French culture”.
Pen-ek and Suvanee received their Chevalier medallions at the French ambassador’s residence on Wednesday.
Pen-ek maintains strong ties with French cinema, with three of his moves – “Monrak Transistor”, “Ploy” and “Nymph” – screening at the Cannes festival. Suwannee was honoured for her continuous support, since SF Cinemas regularly hosts international film festivals including the one devoted to French movies.
Of the three ranks of Chevalier, Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra is the only Thai to hold the highest Commander Class. Apichatpong Weerasethakul, who won the Palm d’Or at Cannes, has the Officer Class.
Something for the rest of us to shoot for, n’est pas?
Fat jokes
Actor Mario Maurer would often tease his “Jan Dara 2” co-star Chaipol “New” Poupart about his weight, noticing his abhorrence of carbohydrates. “One time he looked so pale and hungry that I put a chunk of kanom chan in his mouth.”
Karma pays attention to such things, so Mario shouldn’t have been surprised when director Banjong “Tong” Pisanthanakul told him he’d have to shed some fat if he wanted to be in the GTH comedy “Pee Mak Phra Khanong” (and get an old-fashioned haircut too).
“I rushed to the fitness club to get firmed up,” Mario chuckles. “I guessed I was going to have a bare chest most of the time, but it turned out to be only one scene!”
That’s right, we’ve got Mario in great shape – but we don’t get to see much of it.
