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Wise Kwai's Bangkok Cinema Scene
What's playing in Bangkok cinemas?
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Wednesday , September 19 , 2007
Cherd Songsri Retrospective
Posted by wisekwai , Reader : 628 , 23:42:06   | Category : culture   cinema scene   Thai film  
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A retrospective of the best films by one of Thai cinema's great directors, Cherd Songsri, is being held at Grand EGV Siam Discovery until September 30. Five films are being shown in a program organized by the Thai Film Foundation and the National Film Archive, with support from the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture.

Cherd's films were unabashedly nostalgic and full of melodrama, but also contained poignant historical viewpoints. During his heyday from the late 1970s to the mid-'90s, he was seen as a bit of maverick with his presentation of "Thainess" -- an idealized, old-fashioned stereotypical view of Thai culture. But audiences loved his films. His Plae Kao (The Scar) broke box-office records when it was released in 1977. And the world loved them, with his films among the earliest examples of Thai cinema to appear on the international festival circuit. Today, it's that "Thainess" that cultural minders find attractive and some seek to impose their own view of "Thainess" - whatever that means - on Thai films, television shows and art.

All films will have English subtitles. Admission is 120 baht. Part of the proceeds will go to create a statue of Cherd Songsri, which will be installed at Thai Film Foundation office in Bangkok. Here are the films:

Puen Paeng (1983)
7pm on September 21 and 2pm on September 30
The triangular romance of two sisters with the same boyfriend is based on a famous novel by Yakhob. Stars Sorapong Chatree, Chanutporn Wisitthasopon and Kanungnit Rirsasarn.

Tawipob (Another World, 1990)
2pm on September 22 and 7pm on September 27
The first film adaptation of the famous novel by Thommayanti, it's about a young Thai woman steps through an antique mirror to time travel from the present day to Rama V-era Siam and finds her lover. Stars Chatchai Plengpanich and Janjira Joojeang. Another version was 2004's disastrous Siam Renaissance, and it's also been made into TV series and a musical.

Plae Kao (The Scar, 1977)
2pm on September 23 and 7pm on September 26
Based on Mai Muang Derm’s novel, this is the classic romantic tragedy of two peasants in rural Thailand. Stars Sorapong Chatree and Nantana Ngaograjang.

Ploy Talay (The Gem from the Deep, 1987)
7pm on September 24 and September 28
Adapted from novelist Mai Muang Derm’s novel, Sin Nai Naam, this seaside romantic drama involves a tragic triangular romance and a mysterious gem. Stars Sorapong Chatree and Sinjai Hongthai.

Am Daeng Muen Kab Nai Rid (Muen and Rid, 1994)
7pm on September 25 and 2pm on September 29
Screened at the 1994 Fukuoka International Film Festival, the drama is based on true story of a feminist named Am Daeng Muen who lived during the reign of King Rama IV and pushed for equality between men and women. Stars Santisuk Promsiri and Chintara Sukapatana.

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comment 2
wisekwai date : 21/09/2007 time : 16.32
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/wisekwai

Wow. This movie is sooooo sad!
comment 1
veen date : 20/09/2007 time : 00.45
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/veen

Khun Cherd is my hero and I thank him for introducing me to quality film Plae Kao (The Scar). I still remembered exactly which scene that made me cry. I still love the film and follow all his works. And how lucky I am to grow up and work as a reporter. I met him a few times and he was such a great guy. Unlike many “big” directors, he was very accessible whenever you wanted to interview him. He was humble and what I liked most in him was the way he supported the new generation of film makers. Despite his illness, he still went and watched the premier of many Thai films. Khun Cherd never portrayed himself as a 'senior' or a 'guru' but he was like a brother to many.

When you watch his film, you'll get the beauty of Thainess. I mean the language, rural life, and many Thai elements. My favourite is still The Scar but I also like Puen Paeng a lot. I suggest any film lover of any national to try seeing at least The Scar (which won praises from various film festivals).

I think Khun Cherd would be glad that after his departure, film lovers still have chances to watch his movies. At least his works are immortal if not his life.
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