Lights, Camera, Action………….
(11 January 2004)

Yes it’s that time of year again when the spotlight of the world’s film industry focuses on our very own Siam Square.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is once again rolling out the red carpet for the 6th Annual Bangkok International Film Festival (BIFF) which will be held from January 22-February 2, 2004, screening this year more than 100 films.

It’s an event that has grown from strength to strength over its short history, is well worth a visit and of course makes a nice change from the all too familiar afternoon hair of the dog and complimentary DVD show.

Last year’s festival was officially opened at the Scala theatre, Siam Square with the premiere of the film Frida, a movie about the life of the Mexican artist starring Salma Hayek…….(Snake dance,  From Dust Till Dawn, enough said I think).

Local and world TV crews and photographers were everywhere. There was a fantastic buzz among the crowds of onlookers at the spectacle of limousines bringing famous Asian and international stars to the sprawling red carpet that led to the Scala’s entrance. Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal were the main international film stars to appear, but unfortunately Miss Hayek and “friends” were not to be seen.

This year a total of 12 films from around the world will be screened in the Festival's Main International Competition with winners receiving Golden Kinnaree Awards for the categories: Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Director.

And for those who may ponder, the BIFF award was not named after a former Thai film legend as some may think, but instead after a mythical creature with the head and torso of a human, the body and legs of a bird and which is known for its graceful form and skills at song and dance. A name and symbol a little more appropriate for such a festival and celebration of artistic talent than its cousin’s in Hollywood.

2004’s International Competition will open on Thursday, January 22 at 6:30pm with the premiere of the Thai film “Renaissance” at the Scala Theatre, so that’s the place to be if you want to experience the glitz of Bangkok’s own little bit of tinsel town.

For movie buffs the other films to watch out for in the International Competition to be screened at venues in and around Siam Square include:

The Barbarian Invasions (Canada/France) –directed by Denys Arcand
Carandiru (Brazil) – directed by Hector Babenco
Facing Windows (La Finestra de Fronte) (Italy) – directed by Frezan Ozpetek
Girl With a Pearl Earring (United Kingdom) – directed by Peter Webber
In America (United Kingdom) – directed by Jim Sheridan
Lost in Translation (USA) - directed by Sofia Coppola
Maqbool (India) – directed by Vishal Bharadwaj
Nathalie (France) – directed by Anne Fontaine
Rosenstrausse (Germany/Netherlands) – directed by Margarethe von Tratta
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (South Korea) – directed by Kim Ki-duk
Zaitoichi ( Japan ) – directed by Takeshi Kitano

And making this a festival with a truly complete international flavour, this year the TAT has added  a new ASEAN programme with a selection of films from ten countries - Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Indonesia and Malaysia – all hoping to walk away with the Kinnaree for Best ASEAN Film.

So no matter whether you’re from the east or the west, if you’ve got a little free time and feel like experiencing versions of life through lenses from around the world, there’s something in the festival for everyone. Enjoy the show……

And remember…

Keepitreal.

Other Keepitreal articles:

Happy New Year? : Energy Drinks : Lights, Camera, Action : Cash4Trash :
Laos Reloaded : Dive, dive, dive : Movers and Shakers : Mai Pen Rai :
Its official, Phuket is still rocking! : We all live in a yellow submarine... :
Phuket Strikes Back! : Sunset Street : Sleeper Class : Shop 'til you drop :
Chill out in Cha-am : The Beeer Essentials : A Bridge Not Too Far : Up, up and away : Relaxing Round Rambutri : Royal Barges : More than Muay :
Temple trekkin' : The River of Kings : One Tequilla

"I have lived and worked in Asia for 15 years. I've had the pleasure to view and experience many wonderful sights and meet and work with all manner of race and religions. From Mumbai to Melbourne I've found no other country or people that could persuade me to live anywhere else than here in Thailand."

keepitrealbkk@yahoo.com