Annual Thai Night in Cannes
Charms of Thailand: The Next Step of Thai Film Industry upon Global Stage.
May 14, 2016, Intercontinental Carlton Cannes Hotel: Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi shall grace and be so kind as to be presiding over Thai Night Cannes 2016, an event organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government.
Thai Night Cannes 2016, strategically employing the theme “Thaiconic,” is organized so as to emphasize the veracity of myriads of accomplishments of Thai film industry through the beau ideal of the country’s invaluable repertoires and motion pictures for which the entire world has been greatly clamoring in joy: whether or not it be in terms of location, which boasts riches of natural settings and historic sites, as well as modern skyscrapers and all, in order to fulfill filmmakers’ endless imagination; whether or not it be in terms of production and talent, which is regarded as most paramount in the region due to the Thai personnel’s solid experience at work, both domestic and international, in regard to animation, computer graphics, and postproduction, as well as state-of-the-art technology. In addition, Thailand is also renowned for her great hospitality and for of Thai people’s service-mindedness, both of which thus provide the testament to the epitome of “Thaiconic”, something unique to Thailand and Thai people. Such great hospitality and exceptional service, therefore, denotes the comfort and convenience to those who have come into contacts with Thai crew members well beyond expectations.
Besides the technical expertise, Thai film industry can produce the “producers” who have been greatly contributing to the industry. They won Palme d'Or award from Cannes International Film Festival 2010 with “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives”, which features the ambience of Thai rural areas and Thai folktale. In 2015, “Cemetery of Splendour” by Apichatpong Weerasethakul won the second prize out of 10 ranked by Cahier du Cinema magazine. The film was also ranked number five of Best Movie of the Year hosted by Sight and Sound magazine. In the very same year, Pimpaka Towira, independent cinema director, won Best Asian Future Film from Tokyo International Film Festival. Her movie entitled ‘The Island Funeral’ told the story about the journey to the area of conflict in Pattani province. Its major competitor included ‘Snap’, nostalgic drama, directed by
Kongdej Jaturanrasamee. Several Thai films have gained reputation in film festivals worldwide and brought fame to Thai film industry. The Vanishing Point by Chakrawal Nilthamrong won Tiger Award in Rotterdam. ‘My Hero’ (or How to Win at Checkers (Every Time)) by Josh Kim was nominated for Best Film Award in Athens Film Festival. ‘Songs of Rice’, directed by Urupong Raksasat, became the renowned documentary in Rotterdam, Philippines and Canada. ‘The Blue Hour’ not only was shown in Berlin Film Festival, but also won New Flesh Award from Fantasia Film Festival. Moreover, in 2015, Thai audiences were open to a new culture and variety of movies. This is confirmed by the success of ‘Freelance’, the cooperation between the director Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit and the leading studio like GTH, which broke the line dividing mass films from independent films.
Attending Thai Night Cannes 2016 are the leading film making companies in Thailand (including Benetone (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Five Stars Production Co., Ltd., Hand Made Distribution Co., Ltd., Kao Thai Tayarn Co., Ltd., Klong Chai Panich Co., Ltd., M Picture Co., Ltd., Praket Film Co., Ltd., Sahamongkol Film Co., Ltd. and The River Kwai Bridge Films Co., Part.), special guests in the industry and entertainment press members from around the world. This will promote the sale, purchase and investment in Thai Film industry. Furthermore, the participants can exchange their views with foreign film making companies that show their interest in Thai movies.
In the event, Mixed media performance entitled ‘THAICONIC: Let’s Fly Together’ will combine Thai art with modern dance to represents the beauty of arts, creativity and endless imagination. Moreover, the VDO presentation featuring the story of Thai film industry will help the audiences see the clearer picture.
Lastly, the seminar is held this year for the first time. The special guests like Thomas Schühly, producer of historical movie like Alexander (2004, Oliver Stone) filmed in Ubon Ratchathani, Kulthep Narula, President of Foreign Film Production Services Association (Thailand), and Anucha Boonyawattana, director, will share their view on film production and entertainment media in Thailand.
