Photo essay: 19th Subhanahongsa Awards

Kecha Plianvithee (เกชา เปลี่ยนวิถี) is the honoree for the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 19th Subhanahongsa Awards (รางวัลภาพยนตร์แห่งชาติ สุพรรณหงส์). He was a classic movie villain in the 1970s and '80s, with 45 credits listed on ThaiFilmDb.com from 1966 to 1987. He appeared in last year's Phobia 2, portraying a dying old man opposite Dan Worrawech in the segment Ward.


In a departure from traditional movie-awards ceremonies, the first award handed out was for Best Director. The presentation was made by industry veteran MC Chatrichalerm Yukol, who made a short keynote address and then handed out the award. Kongkiat Komesiri won for Slice (Cheun), which also picked up honors for make-up and score.


Veteran writer-director Somkiet Vituranich picked up the award for best screenplay for October Sonata, which also won for Best Film, costumes and best supporting actor.


The awards ceremony, held at the historic Chalermkrung Royal Theatre after a two-month delay because of the political protests in Bangkok, was unusual, with the awards presentations combined with entertainment in such a way that the presenters had to shout over their microphones to be heard while an a-capella singing group was performing. There was also an opera singer and some dancing going on. Most film-industry insiders quoted by The Nation seemed to like the show.


The final performance was by the Teddy Ska Band, which introduced a new tambourine player to its line-up. Off came the hat and sunglasses to reveal veteran actor Sorapong Chatree, who then presented the Best Film award to October Sonata.

(Photos courtesy of the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand)