Film archivists have rediscovered long-thought lost footage of the first Thai film to be screened and awarded overseas, and it will be screened soon for public viewing.
Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat said on Monday the Film Archive recently rediscovered the 35mm negative print of the 1954 doomed-love drama "Santi-Veena" in Britain, after it was thought to be lost for more than five decades.
The historic film negative was now in Italy for restoration and would be returned to Thailand after talks with its owner, and will be screened for Thai audiences as part of activities to mark the 70th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne this year.
"Santi-Veena" was directed by Tawee “Kru Marut” na Bangchang and filmed by Ratana Pestonji, one of the most innovative Thai directors and cinematographers. It was the first Thai film to compete at international film festivals, in Berlin and in Japan.
Sanchai Chotirosseranee, deputy director of Film Archive, said the film won three prizes at the First Southeast Asian Film Festival in Tokyo in 1954. It won cinematography and art direction awards plus a special award given by an American film producers association for being a film that well portrays Asian culture.
The film created widespread buzz when it was screened in local cinemas. It was the first Thai movie His Majesty the King presided over at its premier at the now defunct Empire cinema in Pak Klong Talad area on Dec 28, 1954.
It was promoted as Thailand’s first film shot in 35mm with the use of vibrant colours and direct sound, a technical anomaly at a time when Thai moviemakers generally preferred the 16mm format with no sound, and thus required live dubbing at each screening.
Mr Sanchai said the Film Archive plans to organise a festival to showcase seven Thai and international films including "Santi-Veena" for public viewing by mid-year to celebrate this auspicious year. He added the key features of the Thai classic film were its screenplay and beautiful cinematography.