Agrarian Utopia, Boonmee, Chua Fah Din Salai and Nak Prok win Bangkok Critics awards

The indie documentary Agrarian Utopia (Sawan Baan Na) took the Best Picture prize from the Bangkok Critics Assembly Awards (ชมรมวิจารณ์บันเทิง) on Wednesday night.

The film about struggling rice farmers, produced by the Extra Virgin Company, also won best cinematography for the stunning camera work by director Uruphong Raksasad.

Best director went to Apichatpong Weerasethakul for Uncle Boomee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, which last year made history as the first Thai film to win the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and has been the toast of the film-festival circuit. On the strength of the Cannes prize, Boonmee quickly secured a local release, enabling it to qualify for awards in Thailand. It recently picked up three trophies from the Starpics Awards.

The Critics Assembly showered four awards on ML Bhandevanop Devakula's lavish period romance Eternity (Chua Fah Din Salai), with a best actor for Ananda Everingham.

Eternity leading lady "Ploy" Chermarn Boonyasak shared her best actress award with newcomer Nuengtida Sophon from the blockbuster GTH romance Guan Muen Ho (Hello Stranger).

Eternity, which was also awarded for art direction and score, was the top nominee, with 12 nods across the 11 categories.

Director Phawat Panangasiri's Buddhist-themed crime drama Shadow of the Naga (Nak Prok) got the supporting actor and actress awards for veteran actor Sa-ad Piampongsan and actress Intira Charoenpura, as well as best screenplay and best editing.

The lifetime achievement award went to Piak Poster (เปี๊ยก โปสเตอร์ ), who directed a string of teen-oriented romance films in the 1970s.

(Photo via Teenee)