The Ministry of Culture has teamed up with the National Federation of Motion Picture and Contents Associations for the Bangkok Asean Film Festival.
Taking place from July 3 to 8 at SF World Cinema at CentralWorld and Paragon Cineplex at Siam Paragon, the festival aims to promote collaboration between Asean film industries as well as help expose international audiences to films from the region.
There will be screenings of 30 films from 13 countries: the 10 Asean countries and China, South Korea and Japan. Ten films will be entered in a competition, with the winner receiving a trophy and US$10,000 (307,000 baht) in cash.
The opening film is Indonesian's Memories Of My Body, directed by Garin Nugroho, who will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the festival. Memories Of My Body is the story of Juno (Muhammad Khan), a boy who learns the Lengger dance, a traditional performing style reserved for men but highly feminine in its presentation and movements. The sensuality and sexuality of the dance contrasts sharply with the backdrop of political violence.
Manta Ray. photo:
Garin Nugroho. photo:
Another highlight is Manta Ray (Thailand, France and China), directed by Phuttiphong Aroonpheng. Set in a village on the Thai coast, a local fisherman (Wanlop Rungkamjad) rescues an injured man and names him Thongchai (Aphisit Hama). But when the fisherman suddenly disappears at sea, Thongchai begins to take over his friend's life -- his house, his job, even his ex-wife.
Other notable titles are Every Day A Good Day from Japan, Running To The Spring from China and A Boy And Sungreen from South Korea.
Thai and English subtitles are available. Admission is free. Participants can reserve tickets at facebook.com/BangkokAseanFilmFestival from July 1. Tickets can be picked up at the festival information desks in front of the cinemas from 30 minutes before screen time.
Bangkok Asean Film Festival. photos courtesy of Bangkok Asean Film Festival
Call 02-643-9100 or visit http://facebook.com/BangkokAseanFilmFestival.
