To mark the 241st anniversary of the founding of the Rattanakosin Kingdom, the Thai Film Archive presents a selection of five movies at Santichaiprakan Park on Phra Athit Road, from Friday to Tuesday with each outdoor screening starting at 7pm.
(Photo courtesy of Thai Film Archive)
The programme comprises a rich mix of classic and contemporary films, beginning on Friday with Wai-On-La-Won (1976). Directed by Piak Poster and starring Pairoj Sangworibut and Lalana Sulawan, the landmark teen comedy captures the vibe of Bangkok youth in the 1970s and has since become one of the best-loved Thai films of all time.
Kha Ma Kab Phra (I Come With A Monk, 1984), on Saturday, was inspired by spaghetti western films of the 1970s. This action feature stars Sorapong Chatree as a man running away from a crime and seeking refuge with a wandering monk (played by Sombat Methanee) in a rural Thailand overrun by gun-wielding thugs and mafia. It was directed by Kom Akadej.
Scheduled for Sunday is Pi Chai (Brothers), which was made in 1951 when the Thai entertainment business was transitioning from theatre to cinema. The story revolves around three brothers, one of them a gangster, who face a dilemma involving love and revenge. The film's scenes deftly showcase the urban-scape of Bangkok in the 1950s.
On April 24, film-goers can attend a special programme of two nora dance documentaries preserved by the Thai Film Archive. The works include a rare performance by Upatham Narakorn, a nora master from Phatthalung. A talk by experts will follow the screening.
The programme concludes with Khun Pan (2016) on April 25. This is the first part of the hit Khun Pan trilogy. The story was partly inspired by real-life cop Khun Pan, a ruthless crime-buster who also practised black magic and sorcery.
There is no admission fee. Visit facebook.com/ThaiFilmArchivePage or call 02-482-2013/4.
