Thai cinema touches down in Shanghai
A selection of eight Thai movies will be on the big in China during the 20th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) this weekend. in 1993, the festival is one of the largest film festivals in Asia. It also features the announcement of the Golden Goblet Awards, the SIFF Forum and the Film Market, which attracted 243 foreign and domestic exhibitors last year. Thailand has participated in the SIFF for five years. The aim is to promote Thai values among international audiences, said Thailand Foundation Director Theeratep Promvongsanon.
The effort is supported by the Thailand Foundation, the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Thai Consulate-General Shanghai. As part of SIFF, the Thai organisers will host Thai Film Week and Thailand’s booth at the Film Market.
The first film to be shown for Thai Film Week is the romantic comedy Pohn Jak Fah ( A Gift), inspired by the royal compositions of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The movie won Best Original Score and Best Recording and Sound Mixing at this year’s Subhanahongsa Awards.
The other movies are From Bangkok To Mandalay, a Thai-Myanmar romance; Thongdee Fun Khao ( Legend Of The Broken-Sword Hero), starring renowned muay Thai fighter Buakaw Banchamek; Wanon Koo Fud ( Monkey Twins); Mr Hurt; Fan Day ( One Day); 20 Mai U-Turn Wai Hua Jai Return ( Suddenly Twenty); and Mue Prab Samphawesi ( The Lost Case).
According to Theeratep, Chinese fans have been leaving positive feedback toward the Thai films. Last year, when Sutatta “Pun Pun” Udomsilp, the leading actress of May Nai
Fai Rang Frer ( May Who), arrived at the airport in Shanghai for the festival, she was greeted by fans. She also received a very warm welcome when more than 200 joined the meet-and-greet.
This year, Nittha “Mew” Jirayungyurn, who won Best Actress at this year’s Subannahongsa Awards for her lead role in the hit romantic comedy Fan Day ( One Day), will join the red-carpet event of SIFF on June 17. She will also hold a meet-and-greet at the consulate.
Three guests from Thailand will join the festival. They are muay Thai fighter Buakaw Banchamek, who recently defeated Kong Lingfeng of China in their rematch last Saturday; Bin Bunluerit, the director of Thongdee Fun Khao; and Kriangkrai Vachiratamporn, the director of Pohn Jak Fah. The celebrities will hold a Q&A session with the audience.
The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) will run from Saturday until June 25.