New year, same old films

Thailand's film studios recently released their bills of fare for the coming year and at first glance there’s little new on the horizon.

The success enjoyed by last year’s horror-comedy “Pee Mak Phra Khanong” is unlikely to be repeated with all the releases for 2014 following the tried-and-tested formulas of horror, romantic comedies, action dramas and remakes. 

Among the highlights from Sahamongkol Film International is Kongkiat Khomsiri’s action drama “Khun Phan”, which chronicles the life of crime-buster Phantharak Rajjadej in the deep South during the 1930s. His reputation for wiping out gangsters was the inspiration for those unusually large, cookie-shaped Jatukham Rammathep amulets, which were so popular a few years ago. Ananda Everingham and Krissada Sukosol Clapp are the stars.

There’s also Nonzee Nimibutr’s romantic drama “Timeline Jodmai Khwam Songjum”, the tale of a single mother (Piyathida Worramusik) who struggles to raise her son (Jirayu “James” Tangsrisuk) alone after her husband dies. 

Chookiat Sakveerakul has a new as-yet-untitled horror project in the works.

And action guru Panna Ritthikrai will return to the director’s chair with “Rew Talu Rew”.

Actor-director Phetthai “Mum Jokmok” Wongkumlao will offer “Taad Rak Asoon”, a rural romance that follows the life of 1980s director Pisarn Akarasenee and his “slap and kiss” films.

ML Bandevanop “Mom Noi” Devakul is sticking to his script of remaking classic old films. His next effort will be the romantic drama “Plae Kao” (“The Old Scar”), with Chaiyapon Pupart and Davika Hoorne taking on the roles of Sorapong Chatree and Nantana Ngaokrajang in Cherd Songsri’s 1979 original.

After the success of “Pee Mak”, GTH has three projects lined up, starting with the romantic drama “Khid Thueng Vittaya” (“Teacher’s Diary”) by Nithiwat Tharatorn, which stars Sukrit “Bie” Visetkaew as a washed-up wrestler turned teacher. He arrives at his new classroom, a houseboat, to meet his four students and discovers the diary of his predecessor Ann (Chermarn Boonyasak). The diary becomes his friend as he tries to overcome the loneliness and hardships of his new posting. 

Writer-director Sophon Sakdaphisit seeks to follow up his 2011 hit “Laddaland” with another horror thriller, “The Swimmer” featuring young “Hormones” stars Thanapop Leerattanakhajorn, Jutawut Pattarakumpon and Supassara Thanachat.

 And GTH will wrap up 2014 with a new comedy by Mez Tharatorn, who enjoyed box office success with 2012’s “ATM Er Rak Error”.

The M-Thirtynine studio is keeping mum about its projects, though it’s understood to be exploring the possibility of a biopic on the female national volleyball team. The rumour mill also points to new movies by regular directors Somjing Srisuphab and Heman Chetume, as well as another offering by the Saranae team of Willie McIntosh and Kiattisak Udomnak.

Yuthlert Sippapak is at work on “Tukkae Rak Pang Mak” and 2014 could also see the return of “Tears of the Black Tiger” director Wisit Sasanatieng.

Five Star Production is sticking to exclusively 3D horror “3AM Part II” out next week and “Ngern Paak Phee” later in the year.

Kantana returns with “Hong Hoon”, a feature-length remake of the 1980s TV horror drama. It’ll have Ananda Everingham in the lead role. They are also working on another sequel to the popular animation “Khan Kluay” with the third episode due to hit screens later this year.

Poj Anon has two more movies in the pipeline with Phra Nakorn Film, the first of which is “Mattayom Pak Ma Tha Mae Nak”, which has schoolboys mixing it up with the famous ghost Mae Nak. The second is “Tudtoo Goo Chat”, about a group of gay warriors.

Poj also plans to remake the 1995 hit teen drama “Loke Thang Bai Hai Nai Khon Diaw” (“Romantic Blue”), which was the debut release of RS Films and director Rashane Limtrakul.

Several new indie directors will make their debuts this year, among them “Kalla Khrung Nueng Jon Wannee” (“Until Now”), produced by Rat Osatanukror of Osotsapa and starring Arak Amornsupasiri.

Chiang Mai has set up an indie group and will be releasing Nichphoom Chaianan’s “Phee Chai” (“My Bromance”) starring local actors and sponsored by local firms. Nichphoom’s previous works include a documentary on writer Rong Wongsawan.

In Khon Kaen, the local company E-San Indy is following along the same lines with “Phoobao Thai Baan” aka “PBTB”, which is funded by local film lovers. Post-production work was completed last year and the film is due to hit the screen in March. According to the studio’s Facebook page, it stars Briton Martin Wheeler, who along with his wife and three sons has a farm in the province.

Other indie films slated for 2014 release are teen comedy “Gang Preed Ja Read Jai Ther”, funded by a bunch of Rangsit University film graduates and “Muay Jin Din Kong Loke”. 

LGBT groups will be treated to such titles as “Love Coming”, produced by the Season Changes’ actor Withawas Singlumpog.

And a couple of indie features that have already made waves on the festival circuit, “The Isthmus” and Lee Chatametikool’s “Concrete Clouds”, are slated for limited release this year.

And there is also the rumour that the latest episode of MC Chatrichalerm “Than Mui” Yukol’s “The Legend of King Naresuan” will be in cinemas on April 6.

The year will end with as Thailand plays host to the 57th Asia-Pacific Film Festival and Awards, which moves from Macau to Pattaya from December 15 to 17. 

 
New voting system for film awards

 THERE’S A BIG change in store for the “Thai Oscars”, the Thailand National Film Awards, aka the Subhanahongsas, which has adopted a new voting method.

Visute Poolvoralaks, president of the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand, recently announced the inauguration of the “R+O” system, which combines a referee system with an open vote.

The new method will see more than 1,500 filmmakers, crew and members of the entertainment media invited to cast their votes. It replaces the jury system, which has come under criticism in recent years.

The Subhanahongsa Awards are set for February 23 bash at the Royal Cliff Beach in Pattaya.

PARINYAPORN PAJEE

THE NATION