Thursday, September 3, 2009

A Thai film shot on Mount Rushmore and short-film encores

There's probably a whole history that could be written about Thai films shot in foreign lands. Briefly, the recent Europe-hopping Dear Galileo comes to mind, as does Yuthlert Sippapak's New York-based February from 2003, as well as Tony Jaa's Tom Yum Goong shot in Sydney.

But going back further there's got to be more. One that reveals itself today is Rak Kham Lok (รักข้ามโลก), a 1978 romance that stars Krung Srivilai, Lona Sulawan, Witoon Garuna and "Jik" Naowarat Yuktanon. Parts were filmed around Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, U.S.A.

It's showing for free at 5 today, kicking off a month of free movies at the Sri Sala Cinema at the Film Archive in Salaya, Nakon Pathom.

Along with old-timey Thai features on Thursday afternoons, the Film Archive is going to have an encore run for some of the programs of the 13th Thai Short Film & Video Festival.

Friday's show at 5 has the first of the White Elephant Award competition, including the special-mention winner Buddhist. Saturday at 2.30 is the first batch of R.D. Pestonji Award competitors, including the special-mention Four Boys, White Whisky and Grilled Mouse and the runner-up Francais.

Sunday afternoon's show starting at 2.30 is the Digital Forum, which are longer experimental works. Among them is the sci-fi fantasy Apai:Mani, Bodily Fluid is So Revolutionary starring Sawanee Utumma and the critically hailed Colours on the Streets by artist Weerapong Wimuktalop.

From Bangkok's Victory Monument, catch air-con bus #515 from and ride it for about an hour to almost to the end of its line. In Salaya, not far from Mahidol University's campus, you'll pass by a bright yellow building which has a pink building behind it. That's where you'll want to ring the bell and get off. Check out the schedule at www.Fapot.org.

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for the link, Wise Kwai.

    Talking about Thai films shot abroad, I think about JONG RAK (1988, Prince Tipyachat Chatchai, B+), starring Marsha Wattanapanich, Bin Bunluerit, and Badin Duke. I think it was shot in Switzerland, and tries to exploit its beautiful scenery as much as it can. There is a memorable scene in which Marsha runs in a green beautiful valley in Switzerland. I remember this scene very well, because when my friends and I had to do some military training at that time (1988) and had to run in a field in a military base, we tried to imitate the running of Marsha and shouted something like "Jong Ruk" or "I am Marsha" while running.

    There is a Thai film shot in Australia called LADY FARANG DONG (THE LADY OF PICKLED GUAVA) (1984, Pornpot Ganitasane), starring Jarunee Suksawasdi. I haven't seen this film yet, but it is available in Youtube without English subtitles.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1Mf4KI5azA

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