Sitting on a grassy lawn in the park, enjoying motion pictures on a giant white canvas screen with live-dubbed sound, a nostalgic outdoor screening, or nang klang plaeng, of yesteryear Thailand is brought back to life in Nonzee Nimibutr's latest film.
This road trip drama offers a window into a bygone era and follows a team of travelling cinema projectionists who face roadblocks as they witness the changes in traditional movie screenings in Thailand at the end of the 1960s. Once Upon A Star is set to premiere on Wednesday on Netflix.
Nearly three decades in the business, Nonzee remains one of the country's most beloved filmmakers. Best known for his trademark period settings and classical drama, Nonzee was one of the key figures who helped propel the reputation of Thai cinema to international audiences with homegrown hits such as the gangster movie Daeng Bireley And Young Gangsters (1997), the horror classic Nang Nak (1999) and the period romance/erotica Jan Dara (2001).
In a recent Zoom interview with Life, Nonzee described Once Upon A Star as "a love letter to Thai cinema", taking audiences back to Thailand's golden era -- a time when most people still appreciated movies at outdoor cinemas.
"Whether they were local, Hollywood or foreign films, they would generally be dubbed into Thai," Nonzee added. The film also pays tribute to legendary Thai actor Mitr Chaibancha, known for starring in popular films such as Money Money Money (1965), Golden Eagle (1970) and The Tiger And The Dragon (1971) among others.
Set in 1970 Lop Buri, the movie features Sukollawat "Weir" Kanarot, Nuengthida "Noona" Sophon, Jirayu "Kao" La-ongmanee and Samart Payakaroon as a local pharma-cinema team who travel around the Kingdom projecting movies for local audiences in small towns and remote villages. They provide dubbed dialogue, sound effects and music through their equipment from the back of their van. Audiences will witness their ups and downs as they struggle to find their audience, leading to a heartwarming adventure filled with love, friendship and the spirit of the era.
Nonzee's choice to focus on this specific era of Thai cinema is rooted in fond childhood memories.
"I was a kid who enjoyed watching movies, and outdoor cinema was the only thing we had back then. We did not have movie theatres like today," Nonzee reminisced. In those days, most movie screenings used 16mm film, and many were silent films. "So watching a live dubbing was something really entertaining," he added.
Sukollawat Kanarot in a scene from Once Upon A Star. (Photo: Sasidis Sasisakulporn/Netflix)
The year 1970 marked the peak of Mitr Chaibancha's fame, making it all the more significant for Nonzee, who considered Mitr his childhood hero.
Nonzee's attention to detail is apparent in the film's depiction of the live dubbing, done by voice actors with exceptional improvisation skills.
"Voice actors with good improvisation techniques means that sometimes there may be some off-script speaking. But if it can create an atmosphere and attract the attention of viewers throughout the story, they are considered a good voice actor," Nonzee explained.
The film's characters were crafted with meticulous care, drawing inspiration from interviews with real-life dubbers who worked during that era.
"The more I heard about their joyful and memorable experiences, the more I wanted to portray these stories," Nonzee shared. This attention to authenticity adds depth to the characters, making their journey all the more relatable and captivating.
For those unfamiliar with travelling pharma-cinema groups, Nonzee provides insight into this intriguing part of Thai history.
"They really existed," he emphasised. These pharma-cinema units played a unique role in promoting both films and essential medicines. "Movie screenings were actually the marketing plan of these pharmacy companies. Ordinary drugstores didn't carry some of the medications available at that time, so these pharma-cinema units were promoting both films and essential medicines, making them more accessible to the public," he explained.
(Photo: NETFLIX)
The film's backdrop in the year 1970 is characterised by meticulous attention to historical accuracy. Nonzee and his team invested considerable effort in researching the era to ensure an authentic portrayal.
"Apart from the aspects of outdoor cinema or Mitr Chaibancha, the overall atmosphere is made to look similar to everything that happened in that year," he said. From locations to the city's atmosphere and the way people dressed, every detail was recreated to transport viewers back to 1970 Lop Buri.
Nonzee's deep connection to the era of outdoor cinema has played a pivotal role in shaping his career as a filmmaker.
"The experiences and memories of that time sparked my passion for cinema," he reflected. "It played an important role in making me want to grow up to be the filmmaker I am today."
Once Upon A Star is his way of expressing gratitude to the Thai film industry and acknowledging its enduring charm.
"Over the decades, the Thai film industry has experienced many changes, from silent films and black and white to 16mm dubbed films and theatres, and now streaming platforms," Nonzee observed. "I believe that the charm of Thai movies has never faded from the hearts of the Thai people. There are many movies that are still etched in the memories of people to this day."
From left, Sukollawat Kanarot, Jirayu La-ongmanee and Nuengthida Sophon. (Photo: Sasidis Sasisakulporn/Netflix)
