Bangkok Critics love Tang Wong and Mary

From left, Wanida Termthanaporn, best supporting actress for Grean Fictions, Patcha Poonpiriya, best actress for Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy, Keerati Mahaphrukpong, best actress for Love Syndrome and Nutthasit Kotimanuswanich, best supporting actor for Tang Wong. Nation photo by Warisara Wuthikul.

Wednesday night's Bangkok Critics' Assembly Awards (ชมรมวิจารณ์บันเทิง) were nearly a carbon copy of the film industry's Subhanahongsa Awards, with the most prizes again going to the critically acclaimed indie productions Tang Wong and Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy.

Writer-director Kongdej Jaturanrasamee's culture-skewering Tang Wong swept most of the major categories, winning Best Picture, director and screenplay, just as it did at the Subhanahongsas. Tang Wong supporting actor Nutthasit Kotimanuswanich also repeated his Subhanaghonsa success at the Critics' Awards. The film had been nominated in nine categories.

However, the critics had trouble choosing just one winner in two categories, resulting in ties.

For best actress, the award went to two young talents, Patcha "June" Poonpiriya for the Twitter-generated teen comedy-drama Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy and Keerati Mahaphrukpong for the romantic comedy Love Syndrome. Patcha repeated her success at the Subhanahongsas but Keerati wasn't nominated for the industry awards.

And a new prize, the Young Filmmaker Award, went to three directors – Bongkot Kongmalai and Wiroj Srisithsereeamorn for the cabaret-dancer drama Nang Fah (Angels) and Nontawat Numbenchapol for this documentary Boundary. Bongkot, who also co-starred in the film, made her feature directorial debut with Nang Fah, aided by veteran TV and film hand Wiroj.

Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy also won for film editing and art direction. Like Tang Wong and the box-office smash Pee Mak, Mary had also been nominated in nine categories.

Just like the Subhanahongsas, the best actor trophy went to soap-opera leading man Nadech Kugimiya for his portrayal of a Japanese soldier in love with a Thai freedom fighter in the wartime romance Koo Kam.

But other departures from the Subhanahongsas included Bangkok Critics' choices for best cinematography – Sandi Sissel and Chananan Choterungroj for Karaoke Girl – and Wanida Termthanaporn for her supporting-actress role in the teen drama Grean Fictions
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A traditionally looser and less-formal affair than the Subhanahongsas, the four-hour awards show was hosted by popular transgender director Tanwarin Sukkhapisit, who parodied Ellen DeGeneres' Oscar-hosting turn by strolling around among the audience and posting "selfie" photos to Instagram.

From left, Kim Worakamon, Inthira Charoenpura, Tanwarin Sukkhapisit and Mario Maurer have a selfie moment. Via Tanwarin's Instagram.

Here's all the winners:

• Best Picture: Tang Wong
• Director: Kongdej Jaturanrasamee, Tang Wong
• Actor: Nadech Kugimiya, Khoo Kam
• Actress: Keerati Mahaphrukpong, Love Syndrome, and Patcha Poonpiriya, Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy
• Supporting actor: Nutthasit Kotimanuswanich, Tang Wong
• Supporting actress: Wanida Termthanaporn, Grean Fictions
• Screenplay: Kongdej Jaturanrasamee, Tang Wong
• Film editing: Chonlasit Upanigkit, Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy
• Cinematography: Sandi Sissel and Chananan Choterungroj, Karaoke Girl
• Art direction: Rasiguet Sookkarn, Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy
• Original score: Chatchai Pongprapapan and Hualampong Riddim, Pee Mak Phra Khanong
• Original song: "Khem Nalika" by Kunlapon Samsen and Warat Prasertlab, Prayoke Sanya Rak
• Young Filmmaker Award: Bongkot Kongmalai and Wiroj Srisithsereeamorn, Nang Fah, and Nonthawat Numbenchapol, Boundary
• Box Office Award: Pee Mak Phra Khanong
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Pitsamai Wilaisak

(Via The Nation)