A Thai-born director who took just weeks to shoot the first film about the dramatic cave rescue of the "Wild Boars" football team says his focus is on authenticity and the mission's "unsung" heroes, with book publishers and Hollywood studios jostling to make their versions of the saga.

WUTTIPONG Sangjitphun is the first Thai endorsed by the Liberal National Party of Queensland (LNP) to run in the state’s upcoming election this month.