Self-study and classroom lessons based on newspaper feature stories

This column is for self-study or classroom use and gives guided help with reading the wide variety of writing styles and topics that appear as feature articles in the Bangkok Post. The lessons include background information, skill-building practice and vocabulary explanations.

July 29, 2003

It’s all about challenges

INTRODUCTION

Here in Thailand, there are many Thai movies in local theatres these days. The whole Thai movie industry is also getting a lot of coverage in the Bangkok Post. There is a good reason.

The writer explains that reason in the first paragraph of today’s story. Pattara Danutra says there is a renaissance of Thai film. The word ‘renaissance’ comes from a period of European history of the same name, between the 14^th and 16^th centuries (500 to 700 years ago). During that time artists and writers looked back to the classical arts of ancient Greece and Rome, rediscovered them and developed new forms. ‘A renaissance’ has now come to mean any lively new development, especially in artistic and intellectual fields. A person who is active in new artistic developments is often called a ‘renaissance man or woman’.

Actress Pimpan Chalayanacupt, is not a renaissance woman, but she has certainly made a strong impression in the local film scene. You’ll find out just how she has done that in today’s story. The theme of the story is clear in the title: she ‘thrives on challenge’. Thrive means to enjoy or be successful at something, especially something that other people would not like or try.
Challenges

There are really three different challenges mentioned in the story. The first is Pimpan’s challenge as an actress, that is the difficulties of this particular role. There is also a professional challenge, which refers to the decisions an artist makes about his or her career. The final challenge is one faced by the filmmakers.

As you read you will find out exactly what those challenges were. As a way of summarising them, complete each of the sentences below. There are several examples of Pimpan’s challenges, be sure you include them all.

Pimpan was challenged as an actress because …

Pimpan faced a professional challenge when she decided …

The challenge for the filmmakers is present because …

Which of the three challenges seems to you to be the most difficult? Can you explain why?
Your challenge

The filmmakers have successfully met their challenge and the movie will be on in theatres this week. Suppose you have an English-speaking friend that you would like to take with you to see this movie. Your friend doesn’t know much about Thai films and is afraid (s)he won’t be able to understand this one. What would you tell your friend about the movie, the star and Thai movies in general, to convince him/her to go with you?

First, can you find out from today’s Bangkok Post if there is a showing of the film with English subtitles? That would certainly help.

Next, write an email (or letter or postcard) inviting your friend. Remember to stress the things you think are interesting about this movie, but don’t tell too much. You want to maintain a little mystery.
Chose your words well

Review the vocabulary to find words and phrases you can use in your email. For example, would you use these words or not: gruesome, psychological, feminine instincts, nudity, explicit? If you did, how would you use them? Remember, you are trying to convince someone to see the movie with you.

The writer uses two phrases based on the word ‘choose’ to say that Pimpan has become well enough respected that she can choose which roles to take. Can you find the two phrases? Think about how you could use one or both to persuade your friend to join you. Do you have to use the phrases to talk only about the movie, or could you use them about yourself and your friend?

Note: A check of today’s Bangkok Post will show Thai readers how the filmmaker’s challenge was met. They made a subtle change in the Thai title of the movie. An English translation of the change would be from “Sinners of Prom Pi Ram” to “Night of Sin in Prom Pi Ram”. Did the English title change or not?

OUR STORY FROM THE BANGKOK POST

Pimpan thrives on challenge

Playing the victim of a gruesome rape and murder
is no picnic — and that’s exactly why
one rising young actress jumped at the role

PATTARA DANUTRA

Pimpan Chalayanacupt as she appears on the film poster for Kuen Bab Prompiram.
A number of new actresses have come to the fore amid the current renaissance of Thai film. Some have debuted in lead roles, only to later disappear or find themselves in less prominent parts. Pimpan Chalayanacupt is going in the opposite direction. After debuting as a minor character, she’s now in big demand to play top roles.

The actress, who can pick and choose these days, appears next in the lead role in Kon Bab Prompiram (The Macabre Case of Prom Pi Ram), due for release on July 25.

“It was the acting challenge that grabbed my attention and made me accept the offer,” said Pimpan. “The film poster might make you think that it’s my body that’s the major appeal of the film. It’s not — it’s my acting.”

Pimpan plays a woman who is kicked off a train because she hasn’t the money to pay for a ticket. Stuck in a barren field in Pitsanulok province in the middle of the night, she is raped and killed by over 20 men from the village of Prom Pi Ram. The plot is based on a true story from tragic events in 1977.

“The plot might make some people think the film will be dominated by sexual imagery. Actually, what the audience will get is a story of psychological tension, following what happens to this tragic main character,” said Pimpan, who debuted as a minor character in Khun Phaen two years ago.

The Macabre Case of Prom Pi Ram is directed by Manop Udomdej and produced by M.C. Chatri Chalerm Yukol’s Prommitr Film, as well as Mongkol Cinema.

It isn’t easy to fulfill the demands of top movie artists like Manop and Prince Chatri, but Pimpan was up to the job.

The rising actress admits there were many obstacles to overcome in interpreting the character. The real crime victim, apart from being dead for over two decades, remains a mystery. Very little information is available about her. Most details in the police investigation report are about the rapists. No clear image of the woman emerges in newspaper reports of the time.

“So I needed to imagine a lot,” said Pimpan. “My trick was to use my feminine instincts to imagine how dreadful a woman would feel in that situation. I had to do a lot of research, because it’s a pretty complex scenario. I went to psychiatric institutes and met experts to help me figure out how rape victims feel.”

Certainly there are some explicit scenes in the movie. But Pimpan laid down clear limits. “I let my stand-in perform in scenes that had some nudity, such as those in which breasts are shown explicitly.”

Those who meet Pimpan in person may be surprised at the differences between the real woman and the one in the movie poster. The real Pimpan is a tanned, slim, rather tall and shy woman at the beautiful age of 25. In the movie, we see a wretched and wounded creature, whose character becomes ever more torn and traumatised as the story progresses.

During the seven months of shooting the movie, Pimpan had to suffer the daily tortures of facial and body make-up. But it was a small price to pay, she reckons.

She feels fortunate to have had the chance to work on the project.

“I accepted this movie not because of the money, but for the professional challenges. I refused many other offers because I believed that this film would give me the chance to prove my acting abilities.”

It was just three years ago that Pimpan got started in the limelight, by winning the Miss Motor Show title. So far, this finance major graduate from Bangkok University hasn’t entered into a contract with a movie company. After quitting her job as an employee of the Government Savings’ Bank in order to focus on her acting career, she still works part-time for her sister’s company.

“I haven’t signed a contract because I want to be choosy. I’m careful about the roles that I will take. I only want to do quality work — serious, dramatic roles.”

Because of its connection with the true, tarnished story of a real village, Macabre Case of Prom Pi Ram is facing protests by villagers who live today in the area where the real crime took place. Pimpan hopes that the movie she’s worked on for seven months won’t be banned.

In any case, her next project is waiting — she is set to work on King Naresuan, another giant-scale production by M.C. Chatri Chalerm Yukol after his The Legend of Suriyothai blockbuster.

“I have nothing else on my list besides that one, which I’m very proud of because I can do something that pays respect to HM the King,” said Pimpan.

The movie, The Macabre Case of Prom Pi Ram will be in theatres on July 25.

SOME VOCABULARY HELP

gruesome
very unpleasant and usually connected with death or injury

no picnic
when you say that something is ‘no picnic’ you mean it is not all fun and relaxation

come to the fore
to become important and noticed by people

debuted
(of a performer or athlete) appeared for the first time in public

prominent
important or well known

macabre
unpleasant and strange by being connected with death and frightening things

dominated by
is the most important or noticeable feature

imagery
pictures

psychological
connected with a person’s mind and the way in which it works

obstacle
a situation that makes it difficult to achieve something

investigation
an official examination of the facts about a situation or crime

feminine instincts
natural feelings and ideas considered to be typical of women

scenario
a written outline of what happens in a film/movie or play

explicit
shown in a direct way, so that you do not doubt what is happening

laid down
(of a rule) stated officially so that it is clear

nudity
the state of being naked (completely without clothes)

wretched
extremely unhappy or sick

torn
to be unable to decide or choose between two things or feelings

traumatised
so badly shocked and upset that you are unable to think or work normally

a small price to pay
very worth while

limelight
the centre of public attention

tarnished
having a good reputation spoiled

banned
officially ordered not to be shown to the public

•This lesson was prepared by Maureen Paetkau, a professional teacher of English as a second and foreign language and Assistant Manager and Webmaster for Learning Post at the Bangkok Post.

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