Monday, August 31, 2009

WIMAN MAYA (2009, Nitade Chula, A++++++++++)

WIMAN MAYA (Nitade Chula, A+++++). I think the heroine of WIMAN MAYA is as interesting as Becky Sharp in VANITY FAIR (William MakepeaceThackeray), or the heroine of THE INSECT WOMAN (1963, Shohei Imamura). I like it very much that WIMAN MAYA is pessimistic about love, though not as pessimistic as Fassbinder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMBw-bGRDFc

Other stage plays I just saw:

2.CHORE MALEE RUMLUEK (Parnrut Gritcharnchai, A+++)

3.NANG FAR NIRANAM (COCKTAIL) (Dangkamol na Pombejra, A+)

4.BEGIN AGAIN (Nana Dekin, A+)

5. ADD AS A FRIEND (Phaya Thai Community Theatre + Bangkok Youth Theatre Ensemble, A+)

6.THREE SISTERS (directed by Hiroshi Koike, performed by Pappa Tarahumara, A+/A)


Now WIMAN MAYA has a chance to be my most favorite stage play of 2009, but it has to compete with LOVE AND MONEY (Adjjima Na Patalung, A++++++++++), and BLOOD CANNOT BE CHANGED (Wannasak Sirilar, A++++++++++).

WIMAN MAYA proves that melodrama can be so powerful if the main characters have hearts and souls.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

THE SARI SOLDIERS IS AMONG THE WINNERS

My poll 61 ended with five votes. Thanks very much to everyone who participated in it. Here is the result:

THESE FILMS/PLAY/NOVEL CONTAIN MANY VIEWPOINTS OR SHOW MANY ASPECTS OF A SUBJECT. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

1.THE ARTIST'S FATE (2009, Wilaiwan Praejaroen, Thailand)
+THE CLASS (2008, Laurent Cantet, France)
+THE SARI SOLDIERS (2008, Julie Bridgham, Nepal)
+SOMEONE TO LOVE (1987, Henry Jaglom, USA)

Each of these films got 2 votes, or 40 %.



5.ALL ABOUT ACTRESSES (2009, Maiwenn Le Besco, France)
+CHARISMA (1999, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Japan)
+CORN IN PARLIAMENT: LE GENIE HELVETIQUE (2003, Jean-Stephane Bron, Switzerland)
+THE FEAST (2007, Mimmo Calopresti, Italy)
+FLICKER: A NOVEL (Theodore Roszak)
+HITLER, A FILM FROM GERMANY (1977, Hans-Juergen Syberberg, West Germany)
+MADAME X: AN ABSOLUTE RULER (1977, Ulrike Ottinger, West Germany)
+MOVING CAMERAS – OCTOBER 27 (2009, Prateep Suthathongthai, Thai video installation)
+THE PINOCHET AFFAIR (2001, Patricio Guzman, France/Chile)
+READY TO WEAR (1994, Robert Altman, USA)
+SIGNORINA EFFE (MS. F) (2007, Wilma Labate, Italy)
+S21: THE KHMER ROUGE KILLING MACHINE (2002, Rithy Panh, Cambodia)
+24 CITY (2008, Jia Zhangke, China)

Each of these films got 1 vote, or 20 %.


18.SIDA: SRI RAM? (2005, Pornrat Damrung, Thai play)
+A SLIM PEACE (2007, Yael Luttwak, Israel)
+SUDDENLY, LAST WINTER (2008, Gustav Hofer + Luca Ragazzi, Italy)

Each of these films got 0 vote.

--Another film which I like very much in this category is INTERVIEWS (2006, Brooke Andrew, A+), which interviews people from all around the world by using the same set of questions. My favorite parts in this film include the part in which a woman from Jamaica replies to the question, "Do you want to be a white person?" by saying "No, I have enough problems already," and the part in which an old woman from Argentina talks about her family which became the victims of military dictatorship.

--A CHRONICLE OF LOVE AND PAIN (2009, Kanchat Rangseekansong) portrays the extremely serious problem of Thailand right now—how Thai people cannot tolerate different thinking. The film has four parts. My most favorite part is NO COUNTRY FOR STANDING MEN, which shows how Thai society treats people who think differently. When will this problem end? In my next life?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3516/3866182539_4afe5a254c_o.jpg





Saturday, August 29, 2009

COCKTAIL (2009, Dangkamol na Pombejra, A+)

This is my comment in Dechito's blog:
http://dechito.blogspot.com/2009/08/cocktail.html

I like this play very much, though I think if I were the heroine's secretary, I might have quit the job. One thing that I like very much in this play is the fact that it can make entertainment out of a serious subject. I think it is more entertaining than LORENZO'S OIL (1992, George Miller, A+), which also deals with chemical problems. I think this play is as effective as the documentary SICKO (Michael Moore, A+), which deals with the public healthcare system of USA. I also like the fact that this play is against how some people worship "profits" and "market" more than humanity, though I wonder if it would be better or not if the play chooses to portray the villains from foreign chemical/drug company as "people who look like us", rather than portraying them as "people who look much more villainous than us", so that the play can remind us that people who worship profits too much are actually all around us. They don't look different from us. They may even look more respectable than us. They may even be a part of ourselves.

--------------------------------

This is my comment in INITIAL A's blog:
http://initiala0099.exteen.com/20090731/bruno
ชอบหนังเรื่องนี้มากๆ โดยเฉพาะตอนที่ล้อเลียนพฤติกรรมของพวกคนดูมวยปล้ำ

---------------------------------------

This is my comment in Twilight Virus' blog:
http://twilightvirus.blogspot.com/2009/08/toronto-international-film-festival.html

เห็นมีหนังใหม่ของ Suzana Amaral ฉายในเทศกาลโตรอนโตปีนี้ด้วย ก็เลยนึกขึ้นมาได้ว่า เคยเห็นชื่อของ Suzana Amaral ครั้งแรกในบล็อกของพี่ เพราะพี่ให้หนังเรื่อง HOUR OF THE STAR (1985) ของเธอติดอยู่ในรายชื่อหนังที่กำกับโดยผู้หญิงที่พี่ชอบด้วย

MUST-SEE FILM IN SEP -- EVERYONE ELSE

MUST-SEE FILM IN BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2009 (24-30 SEP) – EVERYONE ELSE (2009, Maren Ade)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1FSx4T8i50

This is the link to the trailer with English subtitles:
http://www.bangkokfilm.org/index.php?name=programs&file=readprograms&id=22

This is what Olaf Moller wrote in Film Comment, May/June 2009, about EVERYONE ELSE:
http://www.filmlinc.com/fcm/fcm.htm

"At this point, the film casually moves to another level, becoming a painfully precise portrait of a generation that just doesn't know where it stands in terms of class and politics: afraid of being bourgeois, yet longing for the whole middle-class package; hoping that their petulant postings come off as expressions of a rebellious spirit, but so tangled up in irony that they're helpless the moment things get serious."

This is what Kent Jones wrote in Film Comment, July/Aug 2009, about EVERYONE ELSE:

"When a couple enters the terrifying gray zone between commitment and abandonment, they go armed with the ability to create an unsettling physical vocabulary. The deeper they go, the more treacherous certain looks and gestures become. The timing of a returned stare—the relative speed of the return and length of the prolongation—has the power to wound. An exquisitely punctuated smile can be read as a prelude to rejection. And lovemaking is relegated to a temporary respite, resorted to with increasing desperation."

Friday, August 28, 2009

BEGIN AGAIN AT DEMOCRAZY

(The information below is from a promotional e-mail)

August 19-23, 26-30 (Wed – Sun) 2009

BEGIN AGAIN @ Democrazy Theatre Studio

written & directed by Nana Dakin

*performed in Thai, with English Subtitles*

What would you sacrifice to start your life over?A woman leaves her lover to look for answers in a new land. At the same time, a Burmese migrant is smuggled into Bangkok to work as a maid and a Rohingya refugee flees Myanmar by boat...

BEGIN AGAIN, tells 3 parallel tales of what pushes someone to leave home, and the adventure, sacrifices and challenges they face when they must build a new life.

BEGIN AGAIN is part of "The Next Fresh Thing," B-Floor's 10th Anniversary celebration program showcasing the diversity and vigor of B-Floor's members with four new productions by four different directors.

Venue: Democrazy Theatre Studio ( Lumpini MRT station) click for map: http://www.siamdemocrazy.com/showmap.htm

Show Time: 19.30h, except Friday 20.00h Tickets: 300 Baht
Reservations: 089-167-4039

for more information: www.bfloortheatre.com


Thursday, August 27, 2009

VIDEO COMMENTS FOR THAI SHORT FILMS 2009

For my own convenience, I think I should gather all the links to video comments for the Marathon Thai Short Film Festival in 2009 in one place.

These videos are made by Pongthorn Bunterngsook, a member of the Professional Dry Cleaner, except the video for July 22, which is made by Kanchat Rangseekansong, and the video for July 29, which is made by Patchara Eaimtrakul.

The videos are in Thai. The title of the film in parentheses is the one I talked about in the video.

July

7 (…I DID NOT DREAM LAST NIGHT by Taiki Sakpisit)
http://killpid.multiply.com/video/item/30/30

8 (I OPEN AT THE CLOSE by Supakit Seksuwan)
http://killpid.multiply.com/video/item/31/31

9 (LITTLE LIFE by Rungkarn Kaewsuwan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u3fyXK6xZs

10 (SEDUCTION LULLABY by Napat Treepalawisetkun)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fLlQOxXTA4

12 (KARNNIRAN by Issara Boonprasit)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvznopi847Q

14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AISrR0PakCc

15 (MY MINE by Woratouch Wattanagune)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbUPlBWwEoA

16 (PAIRS by Maenum Chagasik)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOpNRovVoT0

17 (POLITICALLY LAWYER AND NARRATIVE CINEMA by Chaloemkiat Saeyong)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4X-7f-xB-Q

18 (SUSPECT LOVE by Gun Sangkaew + Wirot Kotakhun)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVHTVD4M7UU

19 (THOM by Suphisara Kittikunarak)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWsUJvvyAj0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1Fr0-l6ycU

21 (MY HUSBAND by Chawagarn Amsomkid)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8zT2LIm4JE

22 (RAINING IN THE NIGHT by Supachai Saiwirat)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVwauXEkX0w

23 (THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT by Wiwat Lertwiwatwongsa)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hg7OzYJv6A

24 (SWEETHEART GARDEN by Tanatchai Bandasak)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghehLQHW_zI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq5stk2Hipk

25 (ALIEN IN LOVE PART 1 by G-rung Suwantitapanyo)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LjRtL-2mWY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjzIpk9VQAs

26 (RUK LUB by Kriangkrai Watananiyom + Amornchai Sirirat)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYfkbaQ9hX8
Interview of Directors from Satit Kaset
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zhHkfo_Dyw

28 (READ ME! by Janenarong Sirimaha)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1oaAw9CaN8

29 (ONE DAY by Kirati Nakintanon)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpYNQMSIOfw

30 (SATAN TANG ARGARD by Kantachai Family)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq2l-PNvMRE

31
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN7_kMiFyIE

AUG
1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUviI6g_yWc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_AOVtlvwcU

2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4WFFrn71YA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6w2u3kCqpk

Jit's favorite short film (POLITICALLY LAWYER AND NARRATIVE CINEMA by Chaloemkit Saeyong)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPYIdyTjQ8Q

Alwa Ritsila's favorite short film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W812I5sLRAo

Meathus Sirinawin's favorite short film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHOJ7K4vCUE

Merveillesxx's favorite short film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOAIpFhYOcA

Nanoguy's favorite short film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWxDBLa4WU0

Patzh's favorite short film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZGYxOmDTQo


------------------------------------------------


--Some interesting quotes from Jean Cocteau
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/jean_cocteau_3.html

1." Art is a marriage of the conscious and the unconscious."

2. "Art produces ugly things which frequently become more beautiful with time. Fashion, on the other hand, produces beautiful things which always become ugly with time."

3." Film will only became an art when its materials are as inexpensive as pencil and paper."

4." When a work appears to be ahead of its time, it is only the time that is behind the work."

A THAI STAGE PLAY INSPIRED BY SHIRLEY VALENTINE

(The information below is from a promotional e-mail.)

ช่อมาลีรำลึก…
"เมื่อความแรงมันพาเจ้าช่อมาลีออกจากกรงขังใจ…ชีจึงไปไม่ลาซักคำ"

ตุ๊กติ๊ก: ทำไมดึกดื่นป่านนี้แล้วยังไม่กลับ
ช่อมาลี: ยิ่งแรงก็ยิ่งไกล.. ยิ่งไกลก็ยิ่งมันส์.. ยิ่งมันส์ก็ยิ่งแวรง!

ละครเรื่องนี้ได้รับแรงบันดาลใจจาก Shirley Valentine ของ Willy Russell
(บทดั้งเดิม ได้รับรางวัล "Best Comedy" in the Laurence Olivier Awards 1998)
และบทกลอนชื่อ Waiting ของ Faith Wilding
เป็นผลงานชิ้นแรกของ ปานรัตน กริชชาญชัย
และเพื่อนพ้องน้องพี่ที่รักในฐานะคนสร้างสรรค์
หลังจากโลดแล่นเป็นแต่นักแสดงอย่างเดียวมาหลายปี

ปานรัตน นำตัวละครเอกในเรื่อง Shirley Valentine มาผสมผสานกับคำถามที่มันคาอยู่ในใจ ตั้งแต่ครั้งที่ได้ไปอ่านกลอนชื่อ Waiting ของFaith Wilding เมื่อหลายปีก่อน
แล้วก็ได้แต่นั่งคิดไปเรื่อยๆๆๆ จนวันหนึ่ง (เกือบ10ปีล่วงมา) ก็อดรนทนต่อไปไม่ไหว
เลยทำใจกล้าๆท่าสวยๆเขียนบทขึ้นมาใหม่ในชื่อเรื่องว่า "ช่อมาลีรำลึก"

สิ่งที่เรียกว่า "Rebellious Teenage Roots" หรือ "พลังกระตุ้นของวัยแรง(แวรงงงง)"
เป็นสิ่งที่มาผลักดันเส้นทางการนำเสนอละครเรื่องนี้โดยผ่านตัวละครชื่อ ช่อมาลี
สาวใหญ่วัยหมดแรงแต่อยากลอง feel อีกซักครั้ง หลังจากมีชีวิตที่ไม่ได้ใช้มานาน
มัวแต่แบกมันใส่หลังไว้ทุกวี่ทุกวัน พร่ำบอกตัวเองอยู่ร่ำไปว่า "ชั้นโอเค" เพียงเพราะเห็นว่าผักที่ตลาดมันดูสดดี และลูกๆก็ไม่ป่วยไปโรงเรียนได้ ปัญหาที่มีอยู่ก็หมกๆกันไว้จนกลายเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของชีวิตประจำวัน "ชั้นชินแล้ว"

ความแรงซ่อนเร้นที่ว่าจะพาช่อมาลีออกไปจากกรงขังใจ..
แต่กว่าเจ๊แกจะยอมแรง มันต้องผ่านประตูกลกี่บานก็หาได้เดาออกไม่
มาร่วมเดินทางไปกับช่อมาลีที่จะพาทุกคนย้อนรำลึกสู่วันวานที่อาจจะไม่หวานแต่โคตรโจ๋ แล้วเราจะไป...ไปจากที่ที่คุณย่ำเหยียบอยู่ทุกวัน ไปโดดลงทะเลที่มันลึกลงไปชั่วนิรันดร์กัน…สิงหานี้ที่ Crescent moon Space!


ช่อมาลีรำลึก
นำแสดงโดย
เยาวลักษณ์ เมฆกุลวิโรจน์ และปานรัตน กริชชาญชัย
จัดแสดงที่โรงละครพระจันทร์เสี้ยว
ระหว่างวันที่ 26-30 สิงหาคม และ 2-6 กันยายน 2552 เวลา 19.30
สอบถามรายละเอียดได้ที่ 0867877155
บัตรราคา 300 บาททุกที่นั่ง (นักเรียนนักศึกษาลดเหลือ 250 บาท)

ปานรัตน กริชชาญชัย--เขียนบทและกำกับ
ปัจจุบันเป็นอาจารย์พิเศษสอนวิชาศิลปะการแสดงและวรรณกรรมอยู่ที่ มหาวิทยาลัยกรุงเทพ มหาวิทยาลัยอัชสัมชัญ และมหาวิทยาลัยธุรกิจบัณฑิต เป็นสมาชิกกลุ่มละคร New Theatre Society ผ่านงานละครในฐานะนักแสดงและโปรดิวเซอร์มาตั้งแต่ปี 2547ละครเรื่องช่อมาลีรำลึกเป็นผลงานกำกับและเขียนบทชิ้นแรกในชีวิตซึ่งหวังว่าคงไม่ไช่ชิ้นสุดท้าย







FIVE STUPID SONGS TO SING IN KARAOKE

The information below is copied from my Facebook:

FIVE STUPID SONGS TO SING IN KARAOKE

(I was tagged by Penkor Chaiprecha for this note.)

I have never sung in Karaoke. I don't like Karaoke, but if I can sing, I wish I could sing these songs:

1.PLEARNG PAI
http://www.imeem.com/fairypla/music/hIhWS5v_/ost-2533/

2.LET ME BE YOUR UNDERWEAR – Club 69
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYSpGovgDbQ

3.BOYS BOYS BOYS – Sabrina
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiuHdUkuRi0

4.HE'S MY BOY – Mandy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PrzThRz6gM

5.TOY BOY – Sinitta
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be7rBgc-OEE

PRAP BOONPAN WINS THE BEST FILM AWARD

(Thanks to Merveillesxx and Thai Film Foundation for this information)

Award result for the 13th Thai Short Film and Video Festival

The Best Actor
Nachya Soranunt from Perfect Gray


The Pirabkao Award
The Passion of Freshy by Piroon Anusuriya


Kodak Film School Competition Award

Red Man by Nuttapong Homchuen
Cinematographer : Isra Arieakanant and Tahuchan Ruengsri

-----------------------------------
The Vichitmatra Award

Super Tai FC by Nichakarn Tormtouch
Raisara by Amornlap Promsywan
Hungry or Full by Anuchit Muanprom
Whispering Ghosts by Taiki Sakpisit

--------------------------

The Duke Award (for documentary)

Special Mention
Empire of Mind by Nontawat Numbenchapol

Runner-Up
Ru Karoon by Sittidech Rohitasuk
Uncover by Thiraporn Poo-ngarm

Winner
Throughgether by Sasikarn Buddhavana

--------------------------------

The Payut Ngaokrachang Award (for animation)

Special Mention
The Value of Tree by Salisa Piencharoen
Dae Ther by Thawatpong Tangsajjapoj
Raisara by Amornlap Promsywan
Destination by Mokhaphon Sanghirun

Runner-Up
What is my art? by Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn
Abtakon by Thawatpong Tangsajjapoj
Pee-Bok song by Chatchai Thammaphirome

Winner
Sink (Vi) by Pittaya Werasakwong

---------------------------------

The Special White Elephant (for filmmaker under 18 years old)

Special Mention
Bicycle by Veelayoot Gajangsri
My Best Friend by Tossaporn Riangtong
Do it by myself by Phumrapee Sae-tang
Hurt by Woratep Tummaoros

Runner –up
Untitle by Rajapruk Tiyajamorn
Mike by Prempapat Plittapolkranpim

Winner
A Corner by Nunikan Pichairat

-----------------------

The White Elephant Award (for Thai university student)

Special Mention
Buddhist by Vachirathan Ngoungsam-ang
Red Man by Nuttapong Homchuen
Pray by Janejira Chotpratum

Runner –up
Stained by Manasrawee Wongpradu
A Day by Misak Chinphong

Winner
Prisoner by Prachaya Lampongchat

---------------------------

International Competition

Special Mention
Point of View by Avishag Leibovich , Israel
Nicolas & Guillemette by Virginie Taravel , France

Winner
Three Of Us by Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni, India

----------------------

The R.D. Pestonji Award (for general individual)

Special Mention
Four boys, White Whiskey and Grilled Mouse by Wichanon Somumjarn
Mr.Mee wanna go to Egypt by Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit
Hungry or Full by Anuchit Muanprom

Runner - up
Man and Gravity by Jakrawal Nilthamrong

Winner
The white short film / the Candle light by Prap Boonpan

----------------

The Popular Vote
Pray by Janejira Chotpratum

Monday, August 24, 2009

SOME TRIVIA ABOUT WEERAPONG WIMUKTALOP

This is my reply to Noah in my English-only blog:
http://celinejulie.wordpress.com/2009/08/20/weerapong-wimuktalop-an-artistfilmmaker/

I'm very glad you are interested in COLOURS ON THE STREETS. If you want to contact the filmmaker, you can send an e-mail to him at nucook(at)hotmail(dot)com, or call him at 086-900-4199. He cannot talk or write in English very well, but I guess you can speak Thai.

Some trivia about Weerapong and his film:

1.His nickname is Gla, which means "brave" in Thai.

2.I think I first met him in 2001, because I remember that he talked to me about a Thai short film called WHEN KOSIT WENT TO DEATH (2001, Kosit Juntaratip, 28 min, A+), because he knows Kosit, who is an interesting Thai artist.

3. He is not a close friend of mine, but I talk to him from time to time when we run into each other at the library of Thammasat University. He often attends the film programs of Duangkamol Filmhouse there, and he is also a friend of Sonthaya Subyen, who runs Duangkamol Filmhouse.

4.His paintings are devoid of bright colors, and remind me of dirty stains in an old house. I think his paintings correspond a lot to his film, which seems to show the true colors of the streets, and avoid trying to make the streets look more beautiful or more colorful than they really are.

I'm sorry I don't have more photos of his paintings, but I think his paintings have something similar to the painting of Fumiko Shinkai in the link below, because Shinkai's painting also looks like a dirty stain in an old house.
http://www.interprint.su.ac.th/final_exhibition_D.html

5.He used to take a lot of photos of ordinary streets and cats. In my personal opinion, his photos are not "beautiful" like most beautiful photos shown in galleries, because his photos are documentary-like. His photos really show how the streets look like, show how dirty or how old the streets are.

6.He told us that he also has a ten-hour version of COLOURS ON THE STREETS, though he has never shown this version to the public. He just keeps this ten-hour version for himself to see. I guess many short scenes in the version we saw become longer in the ten-hour version. He also told us that this ten-hour version, which is like a video diary, has many scenes which he shot while he just woke up and still felt very drowsy.

7.He stumbled in a field of grass while he was shooting this film. That's why in one scene in this film, we saw the image suddenly moving down on to the ground.

8.He told us that during the shooting of this film, he once placed a camera on a floor, so that he could shoot himself walking in front of that camera. But when he was walking in front of the camera, a middle-aged woman tried to pick up the camera from the floor because she didn't know that the camera belonged to him.

9.He seems to have a lot of stories in his mind concerning the images in his film or his photos, though he doesn't tell these stories directly.

10. Some scenes in this film were shot at his friend's house in Ladkrabang.

11.I think Weerapong is one example of an interesting trend in Thai filmmaking now—filmmakers who don't come from bourgeois families. This trend happens partly because of the cheapness of digital filmmaking, which enables these filmmakers to express themselves, their lives, and their visions of the world. Other notable filmmakers in this trend may include Weerasak Suyala, who is a policeman in Ubon Ratchathani Province, and who possesses a really unique film language; and Romrawin Chumjin, who directed DEK DANCE (2009, 11 min, A+) and JATUKAM-JATUKAM (2007, 10 min, A+/A), which told the stories about his own community.

I agreed with what Filmsick wrote about this trend in Thai filmmaking. He wrote that "The more filmmaking goes farther away from the hands of film students and urban bourgeois people, the more filmmaking can broaden the power of gazing. And it will increasingly undermine the old saying that FILMMAKING IS A TOY OF THE BOURGEOISIE."
http://filmsick.exteen.com/20090721/marathon-diary-18-19-7-52

--Talking about trains, another friend of mine, Sompot Chidgasornpongse, is making a documentary about trains in Thailand called ARE WE THERE YET? I think he is editing his documentary now.
http://www.sompotboat.com/

Sunday, August 23, 2009

RAGING PHOENIX (2009, Rashane Limtrakul, A+)

This is my comment in Screenout webboard:
http://zaa.xq28.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=79&p=128120#p128120

ชอบ ORPHAN กับ จีจ้า ดื้อสวยดุ มากๆเช่นกัน เราอินกับตัวละครนางเอกในจีจ้ามากๆ เพราะเรารู้สึกว่า ถ้าหากเป็นเรา เราก็ยินดีทำเพื่อพระเอก ถึงแม้พระเอกจะไม่ได้รักเราก็ตาม

A THAI STAGE PLAY INSPIRED BY PETER HANDKE

(Thanks to Merveillesxx for telling me about this)

ละครไร้คำพูด Square One
จัตุรัสแห่งเรื่องราว สัตว์ หญิงสาว ชายหนุ่ม มาเป็นกลุ่ม มาคนเดียว โฉบเฉี่ยวและใช้ชีวิต

เปิดแสดง 2, 3, 4 กันยายน 2552 เวลา 19.30 น.
ณ DPU HALL อาคาร 12 มหาวิทยาลัยธุรกิจบัณฑิตย์
กำกับการแสดงโดย กฤษณะ พันธุ์เพ็ง และนำแสดงโดยนักศึกษาภาควิชาศิลปะการแสดงประยุกต์

Square One เป็นการแสดงที่มีจุดเริ่มต้นเป็นบทละครเรื่อง The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other โดย Peter Handke นักประพันธ์ชาวออสเตรีย ซึ่งเป็นบทละครองค์เดียวที่ปราศจากบทพูด และมีเนื้อหาเกี่ยวกับชีวิตของตัวละครหลากหลายรูปแบบ (กว่า 300 ชีวิต) ในจัตุรัสแห่งหนึ่ง ซึ่งถือว่าเป็นพระเอกของเรื่องนี้
บทละครเรื่องนี้นำเสนอความสวยงาม ความพิศวง และรายละเอียดที่ซับซ้อนของชีวิตคน ที่ซ่อนอยู่ในความธรรมดาสามัญและชีวิตประจำวันที่มักจะถูกเพิกเฉย นับว่าเป็นการย้อนกลับไปสู่จุดเริ่มต้น (Back at Square One) ของการสร้างสรรค์ผลงานศิลปะการแสดง

บัตรราคา 100 บาท (นักศึกษา) 150 บาท (บุคคลทั่วไป)
จองบัตรและสอบถามได้ที่: 089 016 3327, 085 919 8127


Saturday, August 22, 2009

THE RETROCHRONOLOGICAL TRANSFER OF INFORMATION (A++++++++++)

The Philippine short film program is one of the best programs I have ever seen. The four films shown are uncompromisingly experimental. ETERNITY (1983, Raymond Red) makes me feel as if the film comes from a twilight zone. THE BRIEF LIFE SPAN OF FIRE: ACT 2 SCENE 2: SURING AND THE KUK-OK (1995, Auraeus Solito) is extremely beautiful. THE RETROCHRONOLOGICAL TRANSFER OF INFORMATION (1996, Tad Ermitano) feels like one of the best German films. SURREAL RANDOM MMS TEXTS FOR A MOTHER, A SISTER AND A WIFE WHO LONGS FOR YOU: LANDSCAPE WITH FIGURES (2008, Christopher Gozum) is shocking, because it shows an eye operation in extreme close-up.

POLL 61: MANY VIEWPOINTS, MANY ASPECTS

POLL 61: MANY VIEWPOINTS, MANY ASPECTS

My poll 61 is inspired by THE FEAST, which show many viewpoints on the film industry in Italy, including the viewpoints of young people who want to be film directors, a young girl who like to be with a star, a burnt-out director, villagers who remember old films, etc.

So I decided to make a list of my favorite things which include many viewpoints on a subject, or several contrasting viewpoints on a subject.


THESE FILMS/PLAY/NOVEL CONTAIN MANY VIEWPOINTS OR SHOW MANY ASPECTS OF A SUBJECT. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

1.ALL ABOUT ACTRESSES (2009, Maiwenn Le Besco, France)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1035729/

This mockumentary shows us the problems of female actresses in France, including famous actresses such as Jeanne Balibar, former famous actresses such as Romane Bohringer, arguably famous actresses such as Karin Viard, and a wannabe actress. I think this film should be screened together with SOIS BELLE ET TAIS-TOI (1981, Delphine Seyrig), which interviews Jenny Agutter, Juliet Berto, Ellen Burstyn, Anne Wiazemsky, Barbara Steele, and Millie Perkins. (I haven't seen SOIS BELLE ET TAIS-TOI, but I knew about this film from Mubarak Ali.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076733/


2.THE ARTIST'S FATE (2009, Wilaiwan Praejaroen, Thailand)

This documentary interviews five young Thai artists. Some of them are already famous. Some are not. What I like very much in this documentary is the eyes of these artists. It's such a great pleasure to see the sparkling in the eyes of these artists while they are talking. Some audience may think that watching people talking in this film is boring, but I think the opposite.

The artists interviewed in this film include:

2.1 Lampu Kansanoh
http://www.ardelgallery.com/html/detail_exhibition.php?id=32

2.2 Chol Janepraphaphan

Chol's interview in Thai
http://www.matichon.co.th/matichon/view_news.php?newsid=01pra01210852&sectionid=0131&day=2009-08-21

Chol's work in the exhibition FROM (DIFFERENT) HORIZONS OF ROCKSHELTER
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3268/2864844079_d7aacaedf0_o.jpg

Chol also directed "WALL" ON "WALL" (2008, A+), which is a video installation shown in the exhibition KRUNGTHEP 226: THE ART FROM EARLY DAYS BANGKOK TO THE IMAGINED FUTURE.

2.3 Chusak Srikwan
http://www.whitesp-ce.com/gallery/past/jun_jul_08.html
http://www.siamesesmile2008.com/main/thai/artists_detail.php?id=31


3.CHARISMA (1999, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Japan)

I like that the film shows us both the character who wants to protect the poisonous tree and the characters who want to cut down the tree.


4.THE CLASS (2008, Laurent Cantet, France)

I like that the film shows us various viewpoints of the teachers and the students.


5.CORN IN PARLIAMENT: LE GENIE HELVETIQUE (2003, Jean-Stephane Bron, Switzerland)

This superb documentary shows us the viewpoints of those who support a GMO law, and those who are against it.


6.THE FEAST (2007, Mimmo Calopresti, Italy)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808323/


7.FLICKER: A NOVEL (Theodore Roszak)
http://www.amazon.com/Flicker-Novel-Theodore-Roszak/dp/155652577X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250869945&sr=1-1

This great novel shows us various viewpoints on art films.


8.HITLER, A FILM FROM GERMANY (1977, Hans-Juergen Syberberg, West Germany)

I like that the film includes the viewpoint of Himmler and Karl-Wilhelm Krause, who is Hitler's valet, and the film is not only about the history of Germany, but also the history of the cosmos.


9.MADAME X: AN ABSOLUTE RULER (1977, Ulrike Ottinger, West Germany)

I saw this film without English subtitles, so I'm not sure what this film is really about. But from Filmsick's writing, I guess this film explores feminism in many aspects.


10.MOVING CAMERAS – OCTOBER 27 (2009, Prateep Suthathongthai, Thai video installation)

This video installation gives us various viewpoints, literally. This video installation shows us the views from a camera which is passed from one person to another person to another person… . This video installation makes me realize that in order to see a thing fully (or understand a thing more completely), we should watch it from various viewpoints (or listening
to other people).


11.THE PINOCHET AFFAIR (2001, Patricio Guzman, France/Chile)

This documentary is obviously against Pinochet, so I'm very surprised that Guzman also interviews a friend of Pinochet who talks fondly of him. I think Guzman is a very broad-minded person. If I were him, I wouldn't have been able to listen to Pinochet's friend without getting angry.


12.READY TO WEAR (1994, Robert Altman, USA)

This film explores the fashion world in various aspects.


13.THE SARI SOLDIERS (2008, Julie Bridgham, Nepal)
http://www.filmref.com/journal/archives/human_rights_watch/index.html

This film interviews some women who are political enemies. Some are royalists. Some are Maoists.


14.SIDA: SRI RAM? (2005, Pornrat Damrung, Thai play)

This stage play explores the status of many women.


15.SIGNORINA EFFE (MS. F) (2007, Wilma Labate, Italy)

I like the fact that the film shows us both the characters who support labor strikes and the characters who oppose them, and lets us sympathize with both sides.


16.A SLIM PEACE (2007, Yael Luttwak, Israel)

This film interviews both Israeli and Palestinian women.


17.SOMEONE TO LOVE (1987, Henry Jaglom, USA)

This film shows us various viewpoints on love.


18.S21: THE KHMER ROUGE KILLING MACHINE (2002, Rithy Panh, Cambodia)

This film interviews both the perpetrators and a victim of the genocide.


19.SUDDENLY, LAST WINTER (2008, Gustav Hofer + Luca Ragazzi, Italy)

This film shows us both the supporters and the opposers of gay freedom.


20.24 CITY (2008, Jia Zhangke, China)

This film explores a Chinese city from the viewpoints of different people.

You can cast multiple votes.

-------------------------------------------


This is my comment in Girish's blog:
http://www.girishshambu.com/blog/2009/08/tiff-2009-films.html

These films would also be on my list:

1.AT THE END OF DAYBREAK (Ho Yuhang)

2.LES DERNIERS JOURS DU MONDE (Arnaud Larrieu + Jean-Marie Larrieu)

3.EVERY DAY IS A HOLIDAY (Dima El-Horr)

4.MY QUEEN KARO (Dorothee Van Den Berghe)

Thursday, August 20, 2009

WEERAPONG WIMUKTALOP, AN ARTIST/FILMMAKER

COLOURS ON THE STREETS (2009, Weerapong Wimuktalop, 62 min) will be shown on Sunday, August 23, 2009, around 13.00 hrs, at the auditorium on the fifth floor of the Bangkok Art and Culture Center, as a part of the 13th Thai Short Film and Video Festival.

Weerapong also directed a short film called DAO KHANONG (2006, A+), which is a part of the 15/15 Film Festival. He is a cinephile and an artist. His art works were shown at the Bangkok University Gallery (BUG) as a part of the 24 HRS. ART PROJECT in April this year.

Here are the images from his art works:





Monday, August 17, 2009

NOW I SWITCH BACK TO IE

(The information below is posted by using Internet Explorer to try to see the difference between using it and Google Chrome.)

I just started using Google Chrome instead of Internet Explorer and found some problems. When I copy and paste a text from Microsoft Word into this blog, I have to type the Enter bar again to make a new paragraph.

When I use Internet Explorer, I don't have to type the Enter bar again. The paragraphs in my blog look the same as the paragraphs in Microsoft Word. Do anyone of you know how I can use Google Chrome without having to arrange new paragraphs again?

PROBLEMS OF GOOGLE CHROME

I just started using Google Chrome instead of Internet Explorer and found some problems. When I copy and paste a text from Microsoft Word into this blog, I have to type the Enter bar again to make a new paragraph.

When I use Internet Explorer, I don't have to type the Enter bar again. The paragraphs in my blog look the same as the paragraphs in Microsoft Word. Do anyone of you know how I can use Google Chrome without having to arrange new paragraphs again?

BODILY FLUID IS SO REVOLUTIONARY WILL BE SHOWN THIS SUNDAY

BODILY FLUID IS SO REVOLUTIONARY (2009, Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, 41 min, A++++++++++) will be shown on Sunday, August 23, around 12.30 hrs, at the auditorium on the fifth floor of the Bangkok Art and Culture Center, as a part of the 13th Thai Short Film and Video Festival.


http://www.thaifilm.com/newsDetail.asp?id=432


BODILY FLUID IS SO REVOLUTIONARY is my most favorite gay film of 2009, but I'm not sure if the film has English subtitles or not.


My feelings for this film is here:


http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/06/transcend-boundaries.html


Sawanee Utumma, the leading actress of BODILY FLUID IS SO REVOLUTIONARY, is one of the greatest Thai stage actresses. She also has a small role in ORAHUN SUMMER (2008, Pawat Panungkasiri, A-/B+), SAMCHUK (2009, Thanit Jitnukul, A+), and DEATH HAPPEN (2009, Taklew Rungrut, A-).








Saturday, August 15, 2009

15 MOVIES THAT STICK WITH YOU

(The information below is copied from my facebook)

I was tagged by Peter Nellhaus in Facebook to create a list of fifteen movies that will always stick with you. My list is not about my most favorite films of all time, but about films which come up in my mind right now. So my list includes films which I just saw and like them very much.

Rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen movies you've seen that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes. Tag fifteen friends, including me because I'm interested in seeing what movies my friends choose. (To do this, go to your Notes tab on your profile page, paste rules in a new note, cast your fifteen picks, and tag people in the note -- upper right hand side.)

1.POLITICALLY LAWYER AND NARRATIVE CINEMA (2009, Chaloemkiat Saeyong)

2.BODILY FLUID IS REVOLUTIONARY (2009, Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke)

3.EMPITLESS LANDSCAPE (2003, Nat Satayamas)

4.CELINE AND JULIE GO BOATING (1974, Jacques Rivette)

5.THE GREEN RAY (1986, Eric Rohmer)

6.L'ARGENT (1983, Robert Bresson)

7.THE BREAD OF THOSE EARLY YEARS (1961, Herbert Vesely)

8.INDIA SONG (1974, Marguerite Duras)

9.THE BANGKOK BOURGEOIS PARTY (2007, Prap Boonpan)

10.PHANTOM LOVE (2007, Nina Menkes)

11.AUTOHYSTORIA (2007, Raya Martin)

12.KALYI – AGE OF DARKNESS (1993, Fred Kelemen)

13. WEB OF DECEPTION (1989, David Chung)

14.THE DEATH OF MARIA MALIBRAN (1972, Werner Schroeter)

15.MUANG NAI MORK (1978, Permpol Choei-aroon)

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

UNSPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AT ART CENTER CHULA

Press Release


UNSPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Curated by Brian Curtin and Steve Dutton


The Art Center of Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok
August 27th – September 26th 2009

Opening Night on Thursday, August 27th from 7pm

Lanchester Gallery, School of Art and Design, Coventry University, Britain
February 1st – March 3rd 2010


Tintin Cooper
Institute of Beasts
Adam James
Michael Lee
Tanya Madsen Mahon
Brigid McLeer
Ho Ming-Kuei
Be Takerng Pattanopas
Kamol Phaosavasdi
Nigel Power and Elias Wyber
Hester Reeve
Jonathan Shaw
Carl von Weiler


The Art Center of Chulalongkorn University is very pleased to announce an international exhibition of visual art in collaboration with the School of Art and Design at Coventry University in Britain. Including artists from Thailand, Ireland, Singapore, Taiwan and Britain – though many have transnational affiliations – Unspeaking Engagements will travel to Coventry in 2010.

The artists in Unspeaking Engagements explore processes of physical and/or durational engagement as a means of constituting the artwork. Each address their own or the viewers’ awareness of their body in relation to time and space. At issue are questions of how such awareness can be cultivated, felt, represented and ultimately proliferated through the work of art. Unspeaking Engagements showcases artworks as sites of shifting experiences, in differentiation from artworks that require detached observation and propose fixed or final interpretations.

This exhibition proposes a detailed understanding of major questions within international contemporary art practices - who does what, how, when, and to whom – and consequently links theoretical debates about the intersection of performance and performativity to more recent critical issues of relational or participatory art. However, the international basis of Unspeaking Engagements highlights different terms for understanding common methods and aims. Theories and sensibilities developed in one part of the world can be radically tested in another, provoking unexpected intensities and new formations.

Works to be included are drawing, video, interactive media, site-specific installation, performance and objects.


Note on the Curators
Dr. Brian Curtin is a freelance art writer and curator based in Bangkok, and is currently an adjunct lecturer on the PhD program in Design Arts at Silpakorn University.

Steve Dutton (RCA) is an artist and Professor in Creative Practice at Coventry University in the UK. His projects have been exhibited throughout the UK and internationally.



The Art Center, 7th Floor, Center of Academic Resources, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road, Bangkok, Thailand.
Tel. 0-2218-2965
Fax. 0-2218-2907
info.artcenterchula@gmail.com


Lanchester Gallery, Coventry School of Art & Design, Gosford Street, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK.
Tel: + (0) 24 7688 7660











THE WORLD ACCORDING TO FARIDA AND DAMKERNG

Then Almitra spoke again and said -

" And what of Marriage, master?"



-


"The Word according to Farida and Damkerng"

โลกที่หมุนตามฟารีดาและดำเกิง



ละครเวทีจาก The Collective Experience

นำแสดงโดย ดำเกิง ฐิตะปิยะศักดิ์ / ฟารีดา จิราพันธุ์
กำกับโดย นพพันธ์ บุญใหญ่

แสดงที่ Democrazy Theatre studio
บ่อนไก่ ซอยสะพานคู่
ใกล้สถานณี ลุมพินี MRT

23,24,25,26,27 ก.ย
30,1,2,3,4, ต.ค
เวลา 19.30
ราคาบัตร 300
โทร 0868141676



TO FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

You can sign the petition against the tyranny in Burma here:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/jail_the_generals/?cl=294258620&v=3768


The news about Burma:

" U Aung Myo Thein sent a message to the members of Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now!

--------------------

Subject: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi verdict: “Yet another travesty of justice”

Media Statement - for immediate release

11 August 2009

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi verdict: “Yet another travesty of justice”[Mae Sot, Thailand] The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP) today strongly condemned the guilty verdict and three year jail term with hard labour - commuted by Senior General Than Shwe to 18 months under house arrest - handed down to Nobel Peace Laureate and democratic opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and her two live-in party members Daw Khin Khin Win and Daw Win Ma Ma. American man John Yettaw was also found guilty of intruding into Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s home, and sentenced to seven years with hard labour.

“There is no justice, no rule of law, and no independent judiciary in Burma,” said Tate Naing, Secretary of AAPP. “The continued detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is the jailing of Burma’s future. She is the true leader of Burma.”

The trial has been yet another travesty of justice perpetrated by the regime since it illegally assumed power in 1988. Since then, more than 10,000 people have been arrested and jailed for advocating for democracy and human rights. Today there are more than 2,100 political prisoners in Burma’s detention centres, labour camps and jails.

Bo Kyi, Joint Secretary of AAPP, said, “The fact that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to house arrest rather than jail is immaterial. The point is the regime wants her to have a criminal record so they can prevent her from standing as a candidate in future elections.”

Bo Kyi continued, “It is only through the Burmese people’s efforts - backed by the international community - that Burma will move towards a new political system where the rule of law prevails, equality reigns and the right to live free from fear is fully realized.”

AAPP today calls on the UK and US to show international political leadership on Burma at the United Nations. The UK chairs the UN Security Council in August whilst the US has its turn in September. Together they should press the UN Security Council to pass an arms embargo on Burma, and initiate a Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity in the country.

-ENDS-

For media interviews, please contact:

Tate Naing, AAPP Secretary +66(0)89-899-7161

Bo Kyi, AAPP Joint-Secretary +66(0)81-324-8935

Notes to editors:

In July 1989 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was first detained under the State Protection Act and placed under house arrest at her mother’s home at 54 University Avenue, Rangoon."

Monday, August 10, 2009

LAV DIAZ'S FILMS IN MY PREFERENTIAL ORDER

Lav Diaz's films in my preferential order

1.EVOLUTION OF A FILIPINO FAMILY

2.DEATH IN THE LAND OF ENCANTOS

3.HEREMIAS

I love HEREMIAS nearly as much as DEATH IN THE LAND OF ENCANTOS, but I put DEATH IN LAND OF ENCANTOS above HEREMIAS, because I would like to see DEATH again, because of its complex story. HEREMIAS affects me very strongly, but my desire to see it for the second time is not as strong as my desire for DEATH.


4.MELANCHOLIA


I exclude HEREMIAS BOOK 2 from the list, because the film is not complete yet.

EVOLUTION OF A FILIPINO FAMILY (2004, Lav Diaz, A++++++++++)

I was stabbed in the heart by the 20-minute dying scene in EVOLUTION OF A FILIPINO FAMILY (2004, Lav Diaz, A++++++++++), and is still bleeding inside.

I think the scene is very powerful, though we know that the character would keep on struggling like that for a very long time. This is just one of many examples that show that the real power of Diaz's films is not about "storytelling", or just telling what happens, but may be about how it affects our feelings, emotions, consciousness, subconsciousness, unconsciousness, how we perceive the world/universe, how we experience our lives, how we perceive/experience time, how we can feel/share the pain of others, how we can sympathize/understand the oppressed, and how/why we must sacrifice our lives for something. If this scene ends in one minute, the story can still be told completely, but it wouldn't have affected me like this. The duration of this scene is one of the reasons why I feel as if the scene has stabbed me in the heart and leaves a permanently open wound in it.

(I got some of the ideas above from Filmsick.)

QUEER PROGRAM ON AUG 20

The information below is from Thai Film Foundation:

Queer Program: Queer Relations

Thursday, August 20, 2009

18.30 hrs

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
http://www.bacc.or.th/



ความสัมพันธ์ของบุคคลสองคน (หรือมากกว่าสองคน) ช่างแตกต่างและหลากหลาย หลายความสัมพันธ์อาจจะยากที่สังคมจะยอมรับหรือเข้าใจ แต่หนังสั้นเหล่านี้ได้นำเสนอ “ความสัมพันธ์ต้องห้าม” ออกมาได้อย่างน่าชื่นชม

The relationship between two persons (or more than that) is different and variety. Many relationships may be not accepted or understood by social convention. But these shorts dare portray this “taboo” beautifully.


Shadow of a Fire (L’Ombre D’Un Feu)
30 Mins, 2008, Switzerland
Director Mikael Ivan Roost
Contact mir@mirarts.net
Carole attempts to encounter other women through the Internet. She desperately tries to escape the memory of Fatima, the beautiful and sparkling middle-eastern girl, who became her obsession since they met…

แครอลพยายามจะนัดเจอหญิงสาวมากหน้าหลายตาทางอินเทอร์เนต เพราะเธอต้องการจะวิ่งหนีจากความทรงจำที่มีต่อฟาติมา ผู้หญิงชาวตะวันออกกลางที่สวยงามเกินใครๆ ตั้งแต่ทั้งคู่พบกัน แครอลก็หมกหมุ่นอยู่แต่กับฟาติมา

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/3806959818_0dec159421_o.jpg


Heiko
13 Mins, 2007 , Portugal
Director David Bonneville
Contact dbonneville@gmail.com
A seventy year old aesthete is in a relationship with a young man named Heiko. It is a fetishist relationship taken to extreme exoticism.

ชายแก่วัย 70 ปีผู้ชื่นชมในความงามและศิลปะ กำลังมีความสัมพันธ์ที่สุดแสนจะประหลาดกับเท้าของชายหนุ่มที่ชื่อเฮียโก

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2524/3806959806_a9d6fe7883_o.jpg


อาหาร 3 หมู่ (Hungry or Full)
27 Mins, 2009 , Thailand
Director อนุชิต มวลพรม Anuchit Muanprom
Contact froginfeb@hotmail.com
Three men/ Hungry / Sex
ผู้ชายสามคน / หิว / เซ็กซ์

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/3806959816_6eba8bb329_o.jpg


About Colors and Razors (Entre Cores E Navalhas)
15 Mins, 2008, Brazil
Director Catarina Accioly , Ibere Carvalho
Contact catarina@dharmafilmes.com.br
Everyday Anthony, a hairdresser, goes to work by bus. One day he notices that Esperanca, the bus collector, has a certain beauty hidden in her untidy look. After some time, Anthony and Esperanca start a relationship that cannot be accepted by social conventions. These meetings provoke a deep change in their lives and their appearance.

ทุกๆ วัน แอนโธนี ช่างทำผม ต้องโดยสารโดยรถประจำทางไปทำงาน วันหนึ่งเขาได้สังเกตเห็นความงามที่ซุกซ่อนอยู่ในรูปลักษณ์โทรมๆ ของเอสเพอร์รังกา หลังจากนั้นพวกเขาก็ได้สานความสัมพันธ์ ซึ่งยากที่สังคมจะยอมรับ การพบกันของทั้งคู่ได้นำมาซึ่งความเปลี่ยนแปลงทั้งชีวิต และรูปลักษณ์ภายนอกของคนทั้งคู่

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2609/3806959804_1c28e59397_o.jpg


Homo Baby Boom
27 Mins, 2008 , Spain
Director Anna Boluda
Contact annaboluda@gmail.com
Ground-breaking legal changes in Spain in 2005 (same-sex marriage and adoption for homosexual couples) changed the lives of two-mom and two-dad families. Six of them from the Barcelona area tell their stories in this first-person documentary.

ในประเทศสเปน กฎหมายที่สร้างความฮือฮาอย่างมากในปี 2005 (การอนุญาตการแต่งงานระหว่างคนเพศเดียวกัน และการอนุญาตให้รับเลี้ยงบุตรบุญธรรม) ได้เปลี่ยนแปลงชีวิตของครอบครัวสองแม่ และครอบครัวสองพ่อ จากบาเซโลนา สารคดีเรื่องนี้ได้เล่าชีวิตของพวกเขาทั้งหมด

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2614/3806959812_1c28e59397_o.jpg


















Wednesday, August 05, 2009

THINGS I LIKE IN LAV DIAZ'S FILMS

Things I like in Lav Diaz's films include:

1.the feelings that I still don't know enough about the characters in the films, and want to know more about the characters, want to see more of their lives, or to say it in another way, the feelings that the films are still too short

2.the question about the existence of God, or the governing force in the universe. Is this governing force benevolent or malevolent? HEREMIAS and DEATH IN THE LAND OF ENCANTOS give me some cosmic feelings, and these cosmic feelings make Diaz's films very different from other political films, such as FIGHT FOR US (Lino Brocka)

3.The sense that human beings just temporarily pass through the world/this earth, and the world may not have mercy or may not feel anything towards us. The world existed before we are born and will still exist after we are dead. This sense is derived from many scenes in which we see the places before character enter and after characters exit

4.The suffering from injustice

5.The dark forces in society and the people's fear to rise up against them, as shown in the last hour of HEREMIAS, the victim's refusal to testify in MELANCHOLIA, and the paranoid of Hamin in DEATH IN THE LAND OF ENCANTOS


6.the important things which happen offscreen, such as the cart stealing in HEREMIAS (2006), the death of Hamin in DEATH IN THE LAND OF ENCANTOS (2007), or the death of Renato in MELANCHOLIA (2008)

7.The surrealistic/absurdistic touch, such as the paper-eating performance in MELANCHOLIA, and the dark-skinned man who warn people to hide in DEATH IN THE LAND OF ENCANTOS

8.The distance from the characters, which helps preventing the films from being overly dramatic

9.The unclassifiability of the films

10.The cinematographic beauty without lighting

11.The avoidance of unnecessary camera movement

12.The presenting of folklores and some superstitious beliefs

RECOMMENDED DOCUMENTARY DVDS

Someone asked me to recommend some documentaries. So this is my suggestion.

Recommended Documentary DVDs

(in alphabetical order)

1.FROM THE JOURNALS OF JEAN SEBERG (1995, Mark Rappaport)

2.GREY GARDENS (1975, Albert Maysles + David Maysles + Ellen Hovde + Muffie Meyer)

3.LAND OF SILENCE AND DARKNESS (Werner Herzog)

4.THE LAST BOLSHEVIK (1993, Chris Marker)

5.MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA (1929, Dziga Vertov)

6.OUR DAILY BREAD (Nikolaus Geyrhalter)

7.PALMS (1993, Artour Aristakisian)

8.SHERMAN'S MARCH (1986, Ross McElwee)

9.S21: THE KHMER ROUGE KILLING MACHINE (Rithy Panh)

10.VIDEOGRAM OF A REVOLUTION (1992, Harun Farocki + Andrei Ujica)

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

LIST OF POLLS

I started forgetting which polls I have made in the past. So I think I should gather them here:

POLL 1: IN WHOSE FILM WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE YOUR LIFE?
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2007/11/in-whose-film-would-you-choose-to-live.html

POLL 2: FRED KELEMEN'S FAVORITE PAINTERS
In the Thai book FILMVIRUS 2, Fred Kelemen gave a list of his favorite painters, including the six painters below. So I just would like to know who is your favorite painter among these six painters.

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2007/11/second-poll-fred-kelemens-favorite.html


POLL 3: WHICH IS YOUR MOST FAVORITE FILM ENDING?
WHICH IS YOUR MOST FAVORITE FILM ENDING AMONG THESE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2007/12/third-poll-which-is-your-most-favorite.html

POLL 4: I LOVE YOU, I'LL KILL YOU
IN WHICH FILM DO YOU FIND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAIN CHARACTERS VERY INTERESTING?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-fourth-poll-i-love-you-ill-kill-you.html

POLL 5: HYSTERICAL HEROINES
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE CHARACTER OR PERFORMER?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-fifth-poll-hysterical-heroines.html

POLL 6: "THE CENTER OF THE STAGE IS WHERE I AM"
THESE FILMS HAVE SOMETHING CONCERNING STAGE PERFORMANCE. WHICH FILM DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-sixth-poll-center-of-stage-is-where.html

POLL 7: LIFE IN MONO
THESE FILMS HAVE SOME OR ALL PARTS IN BLACK-AND-WHITE. WHICH FILM DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-seventh-poll-life-in-mono.html

POLL 8: "FILMING EMPTY CHAIR TILL THERE'S NO WARMTH LEFT"
I LOVE THESE SLOW FILMS VERY MUCH. WHICH FILM DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/01/eighth-poll-filming-empty-chairs-till.html

POLL 9: MARVELOUS MAGNIFICENT MIND-BLOWING MURDER MYSTERY
THESE FILMS INVOLVE MURDER OR MYSTERY. WHICH FILM DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/01/ninth-poll-marvelous-magnificent-mind.html

POLL 10: FEMALE PERSONALITIES
THESE FILMS INVOLVE INTERESTING FEMALE PERSONALITIES. WHICH FILM DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/01/tenth-poll-female-personalities.html

POLL 11: MAN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
THESE FILMS INVOLVES A MAN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN. WHICH FILM DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/02/eleventh-poll-man-on-verge-of-nervous.html

POLL 12: POLITICS WILL TEAR US APART
THESE ARE MY FAVORITE POLITCAL DOCUMENTARIES. WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/02/twelfth-poll-politics-will-tear-us.html

POLL 13: DELIGHTFULLY DEMENTED FILMS
THESE FILMS ARE VERY CRAZY. WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE?
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/03/thirteenth-poll-delightfully-demented.html

POLL 14: THE COLONIAL ERA
THESE FILMS MAY HAVE SOMETHING CONCERNING THE COLONIAL ERA. WHICH FILM DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/03/fourteenth-poll-colonial-era.html

POLL 15: MOCKUMENTARIES OF MY ALARMING INABILITY TO DISTINGUISH FACT FROM FICTION
THESE FILMS MAY BE MOCKUMENTARIES. WHICH FILM DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/03/fifteenth-poll-mockumentaries-or-my.html

POLL 16: LIFE UNDER COMMUNISM
THESE FILMS MAY CONCERN LEFTISTS, COMMUNISTS, OR LIFE UNDER COMMUNISM. WHICH FILM DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/04/sixteenth-poll-life-under-communism.html

POLL 17: EXPERIMENTRESS
I LOVE THESE EXPERIMENTAL FILMS BY FEMALE FILMMAKERS VERY MUCH. WHICH FILM DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/04/seventeenth-poll-experimentress.html

POLL 18: URBAN LANDSCAPES
I LIKE THE PRESENTATION OF HOUSES, BUILDINGS, ALLEYS, OR URBAN LANDSCAPES IN THESE FILMS. WHICH FILM DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/04/images-of-films-about-urban-landscapes.html

POLL 19: UNFAMILIAR PLACES
THESE GREAT FILMS LET ME EXPLORE UNFAMILIAR PLACES. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/05/nineteenth-poll-unfamiliar-places.html

POLL 20: BARELY CONNECTED STORIES
THESE FILMS/PLAYS USE SPOKEN WORDS TO MAKE THE AUDIENCE VISUALIZE SOME IMAGES. WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/05/twentieth-poll-barely-connected-stories.html

POLL 21: TO SEE INVISIBLE IMAGES, TO HEAR INAUDIBLE SOUND
THESE FILMS/PLAYS USE SPOKEN WORDS TO MAKE THE AUDIENCE VISUALIZE SOME IMAGES. WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/05/poll-21-to-see-invisible-images-to-hear.html

POLL 22: LONELY ATMOSPHERE
THESE GREAT FILMS HAVE LONELY ATMOSPHERE. WHICH FILM DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/06/poll-22-lonely-atmosphere.html

POLL 23: YOUNG GIRLS
I LOVE THESE FILMS ABOUT YOUNG GIRLS VERY MUCH. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/06/poll-23-young-girls.html

POLL 24: STARRING THE DIRECTORS
EACH OF THESE GREAT FILMS/PLAY STARS ITS OWN DIRECTOR. WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/06/poll-24-starring-by-directors.html

POLL 25: BOY'S CHILDHOOD
I LOVE THESE FILMS ABOUT BOY'S CHILDHOOD. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/07/poll-25-boys-childhood.html

POLL 26: SELF-REFLEXIVE
THESE GREAT FILMS/PLAY MAY BE SELF-REFLEXIVE OR STORYTELLING-CONCERNED. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/07/poll-26-self-reflexive.html

POLL 27: SEARCHING FOR HAPPINESS
THESE FILMS/THINGS MAKE ME THINK OR RE-THINK ABOUT THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/07/poll-27-searching-for-happiness.html

POLL 28: SAME KIND OF STRANGE FEELINGS
THESE GREAT FILMS/THINGS GIVE ME THE SAME KIND OF STRANGE FEELINGS. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/07/poll-28-same-kind-of-strange-feelings.html

POLL 29: REMINDING ME OF CULT FILMS
I LOVE THESE HILARIOUS, HYSTERICAL, WEIRD OR CULT FILMS. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/08/poll-29-reminding-me-of-cult-films.html

POLL 30: RUNNING IN THE FAMILY
I LOVE THESE FILMS WHICH ARE ABOUT THE DIRECTORS’ OWN FAMILIES. WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/08/poll-30-running-in-family-by-level-42.html

POLL 31: TRILOGY
LOVE THESE TRILOGIES. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/08/poll-31-trilogy.html

POLL 32: WILL THAILAND BE LIKE RWANDA?
THE ONGOING POLITICAL CRISIS IN THAILAND REMINDS ME OF THESE FILMS/THINGS. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/09/poll-32-is-thailand-next-rwanda.html

POLL 33: GRASSROOTS
THESE FILMS CONCERN GRASSROOTS, LABOURERS OR COMMON PEOPLE. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/09/poll-33-grassroots.html

POLL 34: ASIAN GAYS
THESE FILMS HAVE ASIAN MALE CHARACTERS WHO ARE NOT HETEROSEXUAL. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/10/poll-34-asian-gays.html

POLL 35: "WE, THE POOR, ARE ALWAYS GUILTY"
THE CHARACTERS IN THESE FILMS ARE POOR OR HAVE FINANCIAL TROUBLE. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/10/poll-35we-poor-are-always-guilty.html

POLL 36: DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT SPECIFIC JOBS
THESE (SEMI-) DOCUMENTARIES DEAL WITH SOME SPECIFIC JOBS OR INDUSTRIES. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE? THESE (SEMI-) DOCUMENTARIES DEAL WITH SOME SPECIFIC JOBS OR INDUSTRIES. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/10/poll-36-documentaries-about-specific.html

POLL 37: GHOSTS BUT NOT HORRORS
THESE FILMS ARE NOT HORRORS, BUT THEY HAVE GHOSTS. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/11/poll-37-ghosts-but-not-horrors.html

POLL 38: WALK, CHARACTERS, WALK
THESE FILMS HAVE MEMORABLE WALKING SCENES. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/11/poll-38-walk-characters-walk.html

POLL 39: MOST FAVORITE ROMANTIC FILMS
THESE ARE SOME OF MY MOST FAVORITE ROMANTIC FILMS OF ALL TIME. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/11/poll-39-most-favorite-romantic-films.html

POLL 40: WHO CAN KILL A CHILD?
THESE FILMS CONCERN CHILD MURDERS OR CHILD MURDERERS. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/12/poll-40-who-can-kill-child.html

POLL 41: FASCINATING FASCISM – NAZI AND PAD
THESE FILMS DEAL WITH NAZI, ITS TIME, ITS SYMPATHIZERS, OR ITS COLLABORATORS. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/12/poll-41-fascinating-fascism-nazi-and.html

POLL 42: EVIL HAS A HANDSOME FACE
THESE FILMS CONCERN HANDSOME MEN WHO ARE BAD OR EVIL. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE? OR WHICH MEN DO YOU WANT?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/12/poll-42-evil-has-handsome-face.html

POLL 43: PALESTINE
THESE FILMS CONCERN PALESTINE OR THE CONFLICTS OF ISRAEL. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/01/poll-43-palestine.html

POLL 44: ZOMBIES
THESE FILMS ARE ABOUT ZOMBIES. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/01/poll-44-zombies.html

POLL 45: OFFSCREEN
SOMETHING IMPORTANT HAPPENS OFFSCREEN OR ISN’T SHOWN IN THESE FILMS. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/01/poll-45-offscreen.html

POLL 46: MUSICAL FILMS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
THESE MUSICAL FILMS ARE MADE FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/02/poll-46-musical-films-from-different.html

POLL 47: DOCUMENTARIES AND EXPERIMENTAL FILMS ABOUT FILMMAKERS
THESE ARE DOCUMENTARIES AND EXPERIMENTAL FILMS ABOUT FILMMAKERS. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/02/poll-47-documentaries-and-experimental.html

POLL 48: IMMIGRANTS
THESE FILMS ARE ABOUT IMMIGRANTS. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/02/poll-48-immigrants.html

POLL 49: WOMEN WITH DESIRE
THESE FILMS PORTRAY INTERESTING FEMALE CHARACTERS WITH DESIRE. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/03/poll-49-women-with-desire.html

POLL 50: ACTRESSES IN RECENT GERMAN FILMS
I LOVE THESE ACTRESSES IN RECENT (GERMAN) FILMS. WHICH ACTRESSES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/03/poll-50-actresses-in-recent-german.html

POLL 51: DIVINE COMEDIENNES
THESE ACTRESSES GAVE ME A LOT OF LAUGHS. WHICH ACTRESSES DO YOU LIKE? (You can also consider their performances which are not listed here)

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/03/poll-51-divine-comediennes.html


POLL 52: MULTI-TALENTED FEMALE ARTISTS
I LIKE THESE MULTI-TALENTED FEMALE ARTISTS. WHICH ARTISTS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/04/poll-52-multi-talented-female-artists.html


POLL 53: ACTRESSES/SINGERS
WHICH ACTRESSES/SINGERS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/04/poll-53-actressessingers.html

POLL 54: IN THE NAME OF THE FILM
I LOVE THESE FILMS AND THEIR TITLES. WHICH FILM TITLES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/04/poll-54-in-name-of-film.html


POLL 55: FILM CRITICS AS FILMMAKERS
THESE FILMS ARE MADE BY FILM CRITICS. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/05/poll-55-film-critics-as-filmmakers.html

POLL 56: VOCAL SOUNDTRACK SONGS
I LOVE THESE VOCAL SOUNDTRACK SONGS. WHICH SONGS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/05/poll-56-vocal-soundtrack-songs.html

POLL 57: LOOSE ADAPTATIONS
I LIKE THESE FILMS/PLAYS WHICH ARE LOOSELY ADAPTED FROM OR INSPIRED BY THEIR ORIGINAL SOURCES. WHICH FILMS/PLAYS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/05/poll-57-loose-adaptations.html


POLL 58: COMIC BOOK ADAPTATIONS
THESE LIVE-ACTION FILMS/TV SERIES ARE ADAPTED FROM COMIC BOOKS. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/06/poll-58-comic-book-adaptations.html

POLL 59: COLOUR MY LIFE
I LOVE THE COLOURS IN THESE FILMS/TV SERIES. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/06/poll-59-colour-my-life.html

POLL 60: RUSH RUSH
I LOVE THESE FAST-PACED FILMS. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE?

http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/07/poll-60-rush-rush.html

OLAF MOLLER ON EVOLUTION OF A FILIPINO FAMILY

EVOLUTION OF A FILIPINO FAMILY will be shown this Saturday at 10.00 AM at Conference of Birds Gallery in Bangkok.

Olaf Moller wrote about EVOLUTION OF A FILIPINO FAMILY (2004, Lav Diaz) in Film Comment magazine, March/April 2005. Here is the excerpt from Olaf's writing:

"The festival's greatest film—and at 10 hours and 43 minutes, the longest—was Philippine filmmaker Lav Diaz's EVOLUTION OF A FILIPINO FAMILY, a high modernist epic about a family of farmers living for 15 years under a state of siege during the Marcos era. In one plot thread, a family member is hired to kill real-life filmmaker Lino Brocka; to study his target, he's given a tape of THE LOST BROCKA, a film directed by Diaz's BATANG WEST SIDE documentarist and moral catalyst Taga Timog, but is so moved by Brocka and his vision of his country that he is unable to go through with it—and is stabbed. In a single, soul-wrenching, mesmerizing take, a long bleeding stumble to his last breath becomes an awe-inspiring testament to the idea that the power of cinema belongs to the people. That such sentiments are evoked in a work which maybe only a handful of people will see is only a surface contradiction—Diaz's film isn't meant for any market, it's an offering to the director's countrymen, who will discover it in the years and decades to come. It's a labor of love made from the passing of time and echoes reverberating faintly across history's vast plains."

Film Comment's website:
http://filmlinc.com/fcm/fcm.htm

Information on Lav Diaz:
http://unspokencinema.blogspot.com/2009/06/links-lav-diaz.html

Nuttorn's clip of Lav Diaz on Friday (most of the clip is in Thai)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PsZs_BrIOY
(Thanks to Merveillesxx who told us about this clip.)

INSPIRING FEMALE CHARACTERS IN THAI SHORT FILMS

This is an update from my post a year ago:
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/08/favorite-thai-weird-female-characters.html

Thai short films are full of interesting female characters. Some are realistic, such as the ones in PAIRS (2009, Maenum Chagasik), DAO (2009, Wasunun Hutavej), and "(APPLICATION)" (2007, Wanweaw Hongwiwat + Weawwan Hongwiwat, 21 min). Some are dramatic, such as the one in BLIND (2008, Kanjana Akasin, 30 min). Some are fantastic and very inspiring. I use the word "inspring", because these female characters inspire me to create some funny stories in my own head. I greatly enjoy my imagination inspired by these female characters very much. Thanks to all the directors who create such wonderful characters.

In my own imagination, these female characters belong to the same film and they often fight against one another. Maybe this film should be called THE WAR OF FANTASTIC WOMEN (ศึกสาวอภินิหาร).

These very inspiring female characters are:

1.The witch in THE WITCH (2009, Alwa Ritsila)
http://www.fuse.in.th/node/3265
I think the witch is one of the scariest Thai female characters I have ever seen.

2.Nene in I WILL RAPE YOU WITH THIS SCISSORS (2008, Napat Treepalawisetkun, 13 min)
I like imagining what would happen if Nene fights against the witch.

3.The ghost in MAE NAK (1997, Pimpaka Towira)

4.The ghost of Gimruedee in THE PEN (2008, Weerasak Suyala, 60 min)
I like imagining what would happen if Mae Nak fights against Gimruedee.

5.The woman who keeps a corpse in her room in THOM (2009, Suphisara Kittikunarak)

6.The reading woman in READING INAOW TO FEMALE CORPSE (2001, Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook)
I like imagining what would happen if these two corpse-obsessed heroines meet each other.

7.The woman who lets people watch her masturbating in UNPRONOUNCABLE IN THE LINGUISTIC IMPERIALISM OF YOURS (2008, Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke)

8.The woman who masturbates in LONG NIGHT—SHORT FILM (2008, Michael Shaowanasai)

9.The vampires in SUCK ME RAW (ดูดฉันดิบดิบ) (2009, Patanun Chinjaroenchai)

10.The zombie in THE ZOMBIE CHICK (2007, Thitimon Mongkolsawat, 15 min)
I like imagining what would happen if the vampire fights against the zombie.

11.The esper woman in READ ME! (2009, Janenarong Sirimaha)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlRW6vughMs

12.The witch girls in THE MAGIC GIRL (สาวน้อย คาถา แอ๊บแบ๊ว) (2008, Yutthana Seneewong, 33 min)
I like imagining what would happen if the heroine of READ ME fight against the one of THE MAGIC GIRL.

13.The mother who poisons her own daughter in MY MINE (2009, Woratouch Watanakul)

14.The slutty daughter in CENSORSHIT! FATHER AND SON (2008, Professional Dry Cleaner)
I like imagining what would happen if the poisonous mother of MY MINE fights against the daughter of CENSORSHIT!.

15.Chrismas Eve who likes eating children in THE KUMPANY 2 (2008, Nathan Homsup + Dhan Lhaow)
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=29308577

16.The little girl who brings death to her own family in LITTLE ANGEL (2007, Kitisak Koonpetch 22 min)
I like imagining what would happen if Christmas Eve meets the murderous little girl of LITTLE ANGEL.

17.The female serial killer in MIDNIGHT RAINBOW (2008, Patha Thongpan, 15 min)

18.The psychotic female killer in NEW GENERATION (เด็กโจ๋) (2008, Pakwan Suksomthin, 16 min)

19.The female serial killer in PERFORM (2008, Weera Kempetch)

20.The woman who plans to kill her husband in DEAD PLAN (2001, Kulnatee Tuntipisanu, 10 min)

21.The woman who kills someone in her own family after listening to the song LOVE ME TENDER in LADYNIGHT (2008, Angsumalee Senachai, 10 min)

22.The psychotic schoolgirl in PSYCHOSIS (2009, Nisarut Guamsup, 13 min)

23.The evil schoolgirl in WIN'S REMEMBER (เพียงความทรงจำ) (2007, Saichai Ninpetch, 18 min)

24.The woman whose excrement comes in the form of rose petals in ONE DAY A DAY (วันหนึ่งหนึ่งวัน) (2009, Kirati Nakintanont)

25.The literally headless woman in HEADLESS (2009, Dhan Lhaow)

26.The woman who tries to catch a thief in A GIRL CALLED HERO (ผู้ชนะสุดฤทธิ์) (2004, Witcha Suyara, 11 min)

27.The two immortal women in NIRUN (ETERNITY) (2009, Woratape Tammaoros)

Monday, August 03, 2009

TOSSAPOL BOONSINSUKH, THE DANCE, THE MUSIC

Tossapol Boonsinsukh's new work will be shown at Patravadi Theatre on Friday, August 14 at 20.00 hrs. It is a part of the dance show WE'RE GONNA GO DANCING 2009. Tossapol works with Thanapol Virulhakul and Vidura Amranand on this work.

For more information, please read:
http://www.patravaditheatre.com/index.php?option=com_events&task=view_detail&agid=103&year=2009&month=08&day=14&Itemid=0


Coconutcream, the musical band of Tossapol Boonsinsukh, gave its first performance a few weeks ago, while Prap Boonpan made the visual background for this show. You can view the clips of its performance here:
http://yrna.wordpress.com/2009/07/22/556/

EVOLUTION OF A FILIPINO FAMILY WILL START AT 10.00 AM

The showing of EVOLUTION OF A FILIPINO FAMILY (2004, Lav Diaz) will start at 10.00 hrs on Saturday, August 8, at Conference of Birds Gallery, not at 12.00 hrs as previously listed here.

ARTIST'S TALK FOR "NO VALID MATTERS"

Artist's Talk for 'No Valid Matters'
By Assoc. Prof. Ked Javanalikikorn
Friday 7 August 2009
At Meeting Room, 3 Fl, Center of Academic Resources (Central Library), Chulalongkorn University
2-4 pm
*The talk is conducted in Thai only

An excerpt from "Painting Without a Brush by Kade Javanalikikorn" by Assoc Prof Dr Somporn Rodboon"

A unique characteristic of Javanalikikorn's paintings is the use of colors to convey emotions and feelings through the paint which had been squeezed directly from thetubes to the canvas; no brush had been used to execute the strokes which reflectthe artist's emotions and feelings while he was working. The result was the layers ofcolors and paints which created various textures on the canvas. The different textureswere from folding canvases with paints still wet over themselves and over one another.This technique not only created the dimension of depth in the paintings but also thedimension of emotions of the artist. Javanalikikorn's use of color clearly shows hiscreative energy which is rare because without the artist's powerful feelings, neitherthe colors nor the textures would be meaningful and alive..."

For more information, please contact:
Siriwat Pokrajen
PR Officer
Emai: info.artcenterchula@gmail.com, siriwatpokrajen@yahoo.com
Tel: 081-629-0457

The Art Center
7 Fl, Center of Academic Resources, Chulalongkorn University
Phyathai Rd, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330
Tel: 02-218-2965, Fax: 02-218-2907
Email: info.artcenterchula@gmail.com
Open Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-4pm
Closed on Sundays and public holidays

Sunday, August 02, 2009

A PLACE OF DIFFERENT AIR (Guntachai Family, A+++++)

NEW THAI FILMS I SAW ON JULY 30, 2009

1.A PLACE OF DIFFERENT AIR (Guntachai Family, 24 min, experimental, approximately A+)
สถานต่างอากาศ/ครอบครัวกันทะชัย/24.00

I didn't see the first five minutes of the film. At the end of the film, the credit says that the film is directed by Chaloemkiat Saeyong, so I'm not sure who is the real director of this mesmerizing film.

This is a comment in Thai on the film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq2l-PNvMRE


2.POPULAR (Korn Kanokkeekarin, 16 min, experimental, A+)
สมัยนิยม/กร กนกคีขรินทร์/16.00


3.SOMWANG 2552 (Thitiwat Samitinun, 20 min, A+)
สมหวัง 2552/ฐิติวัฒน์ สมิตินันทน์/20.00


4.SMOG IN THE CITY (Chaicharn Potirut, 30 min, A+)
สม็อก หมอกควันสะท้านเมือง/รศ.นพ.ชายชาญ โพธิรัตน์/30.00


5.THE INEVITABLE DEATHS AT SONGKRAN (Prempapan Plittpolkarnpim, 19 min, approximately A+)
สงกรานต์นี้มีให้ตาย/เปรมปพันธ ผลิตผลการพิมพ์/19.00

I didn’t' see the first five minutes of this film.


6.CONSCIOUSNESS (Putaraksa Kumaksorn, 13 min, A+)
สติ/ พุทธรักษา คุ้มอักษร/13.00


7.REMAINDER (Jessada Pooltong, 16 min, A+/A)
เศษ/เจษฎา พูลทอง/16.00


8.SEEING NOTHING (Wachiratarn Nguansum-ang, 4 min, A-)
ศูนยตา/วชิรธาร ง่วนสำอางค์/4.00


9.S (Kraisak Karnchanakriangkrai, 17 min, B+)
ส/ไกรศักดิ์ กาญจนเกรียงไกร/17.00


10.LATTER DAYS (Rutjinakorn Chaiharn, 18 min, documentary, B)
สมัยหลังๆ/รุจน์จินากร ไชยหาญ/18.00

ONE DAY A DAY (Kirati Nakintanont, A+++++)

NEW THAI FILMS I SAW ON JULY 29, 2009


1.ONE DAY A DAY (Kirati Nakintanont, 5 min, experimental, A+)
วันหนึ่งหนึ่งวัน/กิรติ นาคอิทนนท์/5.00

This is a comment in Thai on the film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpYNQMSIOfw


2.FALLING RAIN (Chalermrat Kaweewattana, A+)
วันฝนโปรย/เฉลิมรัฐ กวีวัฒนา/11.00

Chalermrat also directs A CENTURY OF LOVE (2007, 14 min, A+).


3.LALITA (Tanatchai Bandasak, 5 min, experimental, A+)
ลลิตา/ธณัฐชัย บรรดาศักดิ์/5.00


4.THE DAY THE APPLE MEANS NOTHING (Pataraporn Weerasakwong, 2 min, animation, A+)
วันที่แอปเปิ้ลมีค่าเท่ากับศูนย์/ภัทรภร วีระศักดิ์วงศ์/2.00


5.FALLING (Punlop Horharin, 3 min, A+)
โลกที่กระจัดกระจาย/พัลลภ ฮอหรินทร์/3.00


6.THAT DAY, TODAY, WHICH DAY (Ganokgarn Titra, 10 min, A+)
วันนั้น วันนี้ วันไหน/กนกกาญจน์ ธิตระ/10.00


7.HIS BLOOD IS NOT RED! (Napat Treepalawisetkun, 5 min, A+/A)
เลือดของเขาไม่ใช่สีแดง!/ณพรรธน์ ตรีผลาวิเศษกุล/5.00


8.LAO TAK PA (Nitta Jaroenkid, 6 min, political, A+/A)
ลาวตากผ้า/นิฏฐา เจริญคิด/6.00


9.SECOND HAND (Tananchanok Kittiwaraporn, 13 min, A)
เลหลัง/ธนัญชนก กิตติวราภรณ์/13.00


10.TEDDY BEAR (Somporn Inaon, 10 min, A)
ลูกหมี/สมพร อินอ่อน/10.00


11.HAPPY DAY (Somporn Inaon, 9 min, A-)
วันสุข/สมพร อินอ่อน/9.00


12.KIDNAPPING (Songsak Artayachaiyong, 16 min, A-)
ลักพา/ส่งศักดิ์ อาทยไชยยง/16.00


13.BALLOON FROM HEAVEN (Thintavan Burawat, 11 min, A-)
ลูกโป่งสวรรค์/ทินตะวัน บุรวัตร์/11.00


14.BREATHING CYCLE (Jarita Chaiya, 10 min, approximately A-)
วงจรหายใจ/jarita chaiya/10.00

I didn't see the first 3 minutes of this documentary.


15.LOVE, TRICKS, AND JEALOUSY (Prempapat Plittpolkarnpim, A-)
เล่ห์รักริษยา/เปรมปพัทธ ผลิตผลการพิมพ์/6.00


16.HUMANITY (Jinna Rujisenee, 12 min, B+)
โลกนี้สีขาว/จิณณะ รุจิเสนีย์/12.00


17.ON A CLEAR DAY…MY HEART SETS OFF ON A JOURNEY (Ormchai Busabong, 11 min, B+)
วันฟ้าใส... หัวใจเดินทาง/อ้อมใจ บุษบง/11.00

I would have given this film A+, if the heroine never returns home.