In a surprising decision, Thailand has submitted a film directed by a Korean-American as the country's representative to the Oscar's best foreign language race.
Poster for How To Win at Checkers (Every Time).
The film Pi Chai My Hero, or How To Win at Checkers (Every Time), was directed by Josh Kim, who adapted the screenplay from English language short stories published in the US by Thai-born Rattawut Lapchareonsap. The film is set in a small town in Thailand and centres on two brothers. As the eldest one, who's a homosexual, is preparing for the military draft day, the younger brother tries everything to stop his brother from being taken away.
How To Win At Checkers was released in July to a positive review, mainly due to its sense of authenticity and boldness to tackle the issue of drafting. It didn't do well at the box office, however, earning around 1 million baht.
The committee at the Federation of Thai Film Producers considered six finalists and decided on How To Win At Checkers, the only title directed by a non-Thai.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Art and Science will announce the final nomination in January. Thailand has never made it onto the shortlist.
Elsewhere, some highlights include France's submission Mustang, a Turkish-speaking teen drama produced by a French company; Portugal's documentary-fiction hybrid Arabian Nights Vol.2, which tackles the country's economic woes; South Korea's period drama The Throne; and Hungary's holocaust thriller Son Of Saul.
The Oscars awards ceremony takes place on Feb 28 next year.
