The Love of Siam - The Director's Cut

At two-and-a-half hours long, The Love of Siam, was a long movie, which was one of the many things that made this heartfelt mix of family drama and teenage sexuality unusual.

Originally, the length was nearer to five hours, so it's not surprising that a director's cut by Chukiat Sakweerakul has surfaced to answer the pleadings of fans who just can't get enough of this story of Mew (Witwisit Hirunwongkul) and Tong (Mario Maurer).

A four-hour director's cut of The Love of Siam will premiere at 6:30pm on January 17 at House cinema on Royal City Avenue in Bangkok. Reservations by phone and at the box office start on January 14. The first 200 audience members will get a gift from the director.

The film will then screen from January 18 to 23, with showtimes at 7:30pm daily and additional noon matinees on Saturday and Sunday, January 19 and 20, at House. More screenings will be held if more people want to see it.

The screening of the director's cut is another interesting chapter in the remarkable life of this film, which left cinemas about a month after it was released in November. But stars Witwisit and Mario and the August Band have attracted big crowds of screaming fans whenever they turn up to play in various places, such as Siam Center.

Pantip.com arranged a special Christmas Eve showing of the film at the Scala Theatre, which must have been really special, seeing how a scene in the film was shot in that theatre's art deco lobby, and a crucial scene takes place on Christmas Eve in Siam Square.

The Love of Siam definitely has its fans. Keep watching as the various film awards are announced in Thailand, for The Love of Siam is sure to figure prominently among the nominees and winners.

More information:

• Review: The Love of Siam