JONAH WHO WILL BE 25 IN THE YEAR 2000 (1976, Alain Tanner, Switzerland, A++++++++++)

FILMS SEEN FOR THE FIRST TIME ON SUN 8 NOV

1.JONAH WHO WILL BE 25 IN THE YEAR 2000 (1976, Alain Tanner, Switzerland, A++++++++++)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/25/Jonah-Who-Will-Be-25-in-the-Year-2000.html

2.TO DIE LIKE A MAN (2009, Joao Pedro Rodrigues, Portugal, A+++++)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/21/To-Die-Like-a-Man.html

3.THE RAT HERB (2009, Julio Bressane, Brazil, A+++++ )
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/41/Rat-Herb,-The.html
Don’t miss the ending credit of this film.

4.THE LAST APPLAUSE (2009, German Kral, Argentina, A+++++)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/66/Last-Applause,-The.html

5.NOW SHOWING (2009, Nitipong Thinthupthai, A+)

6.SOUNDSCAPE: THE ABSENT INSLAND (2009, Nok Paksnavin, A+)

7.SPIRITS (2009, Chulayarnnon Siriphol, A+/A)

8.THE GREAT DICTATOR (2009, Noraset Vaisayakul, A+/A)

9.PARALLEL: THE DAY, THE DAWN, THE DUSK, THE DARK (2008, Sudsiri Pui-ock, A+/A)

10.LUMPHINI 2552 (2009, Tomonari Nishikawa, A+/A)

11.MY MOTHER AND HER PORTRAIT (2009, Chaisiri Jiwarangsan, A+/A)

WAKE UP TIME IS THE WINNER

My poll 67 ended with 21 votes!!!!! Thanks very much to everyone who participated in it. I don’t know why WAKE UP TIME got a lot of votes on the last day of the poll. It is very strange and surprising.

Here is the result:

I LOVE THESE RECENT THAI EXPERIMENTAL FILMS VERY MUCH. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

1.WAKE UP TIME (ตื่นสมัย) (2009, Chaiwat Wiansantia)
It got 13 votes, or 61 %.

2. POLITICALLY LAWYER AND NARRATIVE CINEMA (ฆาตกรรรมสวาท ประหลาดน่านฟ้า ทำให้คนหายตัวไป) (2009, Chaloemkiat Saeyong)
+SWEETHEART GARDEN (มธุรส) (2009, Tanatchai Bandasak)
+WHISPERING GHOSTS (2008, Taiki Sakpisit)

Each of them got 4 votes, or 19 %.

5.THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT (พายุผีเสื้อ) (2009, Wiwat Lertwiwatwongsa)
+COLOURS ON THE STREETS (2009, Weerapong Wimuktalop)
+I OPEN AT THE CLOSE (2009, Supakit Seksuwan)
+PHANTOMS OF NABUA (2009, Apichatpong Weerasethakul)
+PULSATILE MASS (2009, Nok Paksnavin)

Each of them got 2 votes, or 9%.

10. LISTENING (2008, Skarin Gunkhan)
+ONE NIGHT (คืนหนึ่ง) (2009, Zart Tancharoen)
+POISON 2.7: WHY GOING TO BIG C (ยาพิษ 2.7: ทำไมต้องไปบิ๊กซี) (2009, Eakarach Monwat)
+SHORTCUT TO HEAVEN (ทางลัดขึ้นสวรรค์) (2008, Phaisit Phanphruksachart)
+SUMMER STORM (2009, Tossapol Boonsinsukh)

Each of them got 1 vote, or 4 %.

15.FALLING RAIN (วันฝนโปรย) (2009, Chalermrat Kaweewattana)
+FARMER (2009, Sudsiri Pui-ock)
+HAPPY TOGETHER (กาลครั้งหนึ่งคิดถึงวันวาน) (2009, Sittipong Patchakow)
+MAN AND GRAVITY: PLATEAU (2009, Jakrawal Nilthamrong)
+POPULAR (สมัยนิยม) (2009, Korn Kanogkekarin)
+WRONGDOER (2009, Pongpattana Puangkwamsook)

Each of them got 0 vote.

–One thing I like very much in the Thai films I saw this year is the “extreme staring scenes”. It’s the kind of scenes in which the films let the viewers stare at something or some activities for a long time. I don’t know which Thai film is the first film which includes this kind of scenes, or which Thai film is the first film which belongs to “extreme staring cinema”. Maybe it’s WINDOWS (1999, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, A+++++).

As for foreign “extreme staring” films, my favorite ones include HIGH KUKUS (1973, James Broughton). You can watch this film here:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9c0qu_james-broughton-high-kukus_shortfilms

In 2007 I made a list of ten Thai films which can belong to “extreme staring cinema”. You can read the list here:
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2007/06/ten-thai-photo-resembling-films.html

1.BIRTH OF THE SEANEMA (2004, Sasithorn Ariyavicha, A+) 70 min

2.WINDOWS (1999, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, A+)

3.ROUGH NIGHT (2001, Samart Imkham, A+)

4.WINTER REMAINS (2004, Sasithorn Ariyavicha, A+) 19 min

5.THE AUDIENCE (2004, Tossapol Boonsinsukh, A+)

6.DRIFTER (1993, Sasithorn Ariyavicha, A+) 8 min

7.SPACE (2005, Sathit Sattarasart, A+)

8.GRANDMOTHER (KHUN YAI) (2007, Nawanont Wongkajit, A+)

9.A SONG AND GROUP OF STARS (BOT PLENG GUB MOO DAO) (2006, Surasithi Bunpala, A+)

10.CITY REPORT (2006, Chakrit Vichaiyuth, A+)

–I think Thai extreme staring cinema also include:

11.CONFRONT WITH THE TRUTH (ริมฝั่งน้ำ) (2009, Chanin Hanjaroen)

12.EMPIRE OF MIND (อณาจักร แห่ง ใจ) (2009, Nontawat Numbenchapol, 90 min)
This documentary contains a scene in which the camera stares at the grandmother for a long time.

13.HARVEST SEASON (ฤดูเก็บเกี่ยว) (2009, Pisut Srimork, 20 min)

14.THE INSURANCE (ประกันชีวิต) (2009, Nok Paksnavin, 30 min)

15.IN THE POOL OF STILL WATER, THERE IS A YEARNING FOR THE TORRENTIAL FLOW OF THE BIG RIVER (2009, Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook, A+)

16.KRASOB (กระสอบ) (2006, Nitipong Tintapthai)

17.LOOKING IN GOD’S EYE (2009, Taiki Sakpisit)

18.NEVER CONGREGATE, NEVER DISREGARD (2007, Arin Rungjang)

19.OBSERVATION OF THE MONUMENT (2008, Michael Shaowanasai)

20.ONE NIGHT (คืนหนึ่ง) (2009, Zart Tancharoen)

21.PERU TIME (กู่ก้องบอกรักนิรันดร) (2008, Chaloemkiat Saeyong, 18 min)

22.RESTART (ไม่ไปรังสิต) (2008, Patchara Eaimtrakul, 25 min)

23.TIME AND CONTINUATION (2004, Sudsiri Pui-ock)

24.VIDEO MEMORANDUM NO.4: LA LUNAR (2009, Wiwat Lertwiwatwongsa)

25.YOU HAVE TO WAIT, ANYWAY (2007, Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit, 22 min)

GREEN ROCKING CHAIR (A++++++++++)

FILMS SEEN ON SAT 7 NOV

1.GREEN ROCKING CHAIR (2008, Roxlee, Philippines, A+++++++++++++++)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/5/Green-Rocking-Chair.html
I think the film is “Alexander Kluge + Phaisit Phanphruksachart”. The structure of the film reminds me of some Kluge’s films, in which a topic is explored in various, loosely connected angles. The film is also as playful as some of Phaisit’s films.

2.UPRISE (2008, Sandro Aguilar, Portugal, A+++++)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/30/Uprise.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCZboYx7R9o

3.KARAOKE (2009, Chris Chong Chan Fui, Malaysia, A+)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/6/Karaoke.html

4.BILLO IL GRAND DAKHAAR (2008, Laura Muscardin, Senegal, Italy, A+)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/20/Billo,-Il-Grand-Dakhaar.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltt8FRN-5w0

5.LOST NATION (2009, Zart Tancharoen, Thailand, A+/A)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/7/Lost-Nation.html

6.DIAMONDS (2009, Mikael Enlund, Thailand, A-)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/72/Diamonds.html

MERMAID WEARING PANTS (2009, Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, A+++++)

THAI SHORT FILMS SHOWN IN THE PROGRAM “I’M HERE, DEAR CENSORSHIP”:
http://www.bioscopemagazine.com/smf/index.php?topic=2630.0

1.MERMAID WEARING PANTS (2009, Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, 5 min, A+++++)
I like the fact that the film tackles the political taboos, and I like the way the film uses the found footage, the text, and the sound.

2.PASSION SONATA (2009, Suphisara Kittikunarak, 13 min, A+++++)
I like the story and the way the film views its own characters.

3.IT’S HARD TO SAY HOW I LOVE YOU, CAPTAIN HOOK (2009, Napat Treepalawisetkun, 10 min, A+)
I like the fact that the audience don’t know how to react to this film. The film doesn’t tell the audience whether the film is a comedy, a satire, or a drama. The film is just its own self, thus freeing the way each viewer can choose to react to the film.

4.GEW GEW (2009, Meathus Sirinawin, 7 min, A+)

The sound of this film isn’t clear, so I don’t understand much of what the character is saying, but I like the concept of this film very much.

5.MOFO LIFE SIZE DOLL 2 (2009, Alwa Ritsila, 23 min, A+/A)
This film, like every film of Alwa, is visually striking in my opinion. The reason why I don’t give this film A+ is just because I think the story is not very interesting. However, I like the bitchy looks of the dolls in this film very much. And I love a graffito on a wall in this film. This graffito says, “I HAVE A HUSBAND!” (กูมีผัว!). It’s something I have never seen before. It’s funny, weird, and wonderful.

This tiny thing in the film unintentionally inspires my own imagination a lot. Since many graffiti in real life may be written by young male technical college students, this graffito in the film makes me imagine that there should be a film which deals with a male technical college student who loves writing “I HAVE A HUSBAND!” on walls around the town.

6.DAD IS DEAD (2009, Professional Dry Cleaner, 15 min, A)
Since the sound of the film isn’t clear, I don’t understand many jokes spoken by the characters. But I like the fact that this film tries to compare and contrast some swearing words.

POLL 67: VIEWS FROM THE THAI AVANT-GARDE

This is about a poll in my bilingual blog at http://celinejulie.blogspot.com

 

POLL 67: VIEWS FOR THE THAI AVANT-GARDE

My poll 67 is inspired by many Thai experimental short films I saw this year. I’m very glad that this year many Thai filmmakers make experimental films, avant-garde films, strange films, non-narrative films, or uncategorizable films. And I hope the number of these Thai filmmakers will keep on increasing.

However, I’m not the kind of people who think categorizing is important or should be taken seriously. I don’t know exactly what the definition of experimental films or avant-garde films is. I make the list below just by thinking that the films in the list are like some old experimental films.

Though the films in the list may be called experimental or avant-garde, I have never judged their values by considering whether they present something new to the world of cinema or not, because I don’t know much about cinema history, or what kinds of films were made in the past. More importantly, I don’t go to see films with the hope that they would show me something totally new. I go to see films with the hope that the films would give me some pleasures. Thus, I love the films in the list below very much, because they give me enormous pleasures. The fact that they don’t present something new or the fact that they may or may not be really experimental is actually not important for me at all.

The title of this poll comes from the festival VIEWS FROM THE AVANT-GARDE in New York City.
http://filmlinc.com/nyff/program/avantgarde/avantgarde.html

There are six films in the list which can be viewed freely online and don’t need subtitles, because the films are non-narrative. So I hope people everywhere can watch these films and participate in this poll.

These six films are THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT, I OPEN AT THE CLOSE, LISTENING, PHANTOMS OF NABUA, SUMMER STORM, and WAKE UP TIME.

I LOVE THESE RECENT THAI EXPERIMENTAL FILMS VERY MUCH. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

1.THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT (พายุผีเสื้อ) (2009, Wiwat Lertwiwatwongsa)
You can watch the film here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhXp3J8zbjY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPHUf6nS5wQ
My video comment in Thai on this film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hg7OzYJv6A

2.COLOURS ON THE STREETS (2009, Weerapong Wimuktalop)
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/08/some-trivia-about-weerapong-wimuktalop.html

3.FALLING RAIN (วันฝนโปรย) (2009, Chalermrat Kaweewattana)

4.FARMER (2009, Sudsiri Pui-ock)
Another film of Sudsiri Pui-ock, called PARALLEL; THE DAWN, THE DAY, THE DUSK, THE DARK, will be shown in the World Film Festival of Bangkok 2009.
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/111/Guts-Short-Programme-1.html

I saw FARMER at DOB gallery early this year.
http://www.ardelgallery.com/html/detail_exhibition.php?id=34
Merveillesxx wrote about Sudsiri’s exhibition here:
http://www.bloggang.com/viewdiary.php?id=merveillesxx&month=03-2009&date=10&group=9&gblog=169

5.HAPPY TOGETHER (กาลครั้งหนึ่งคิดถึงวันวาน) (2009, Sittipong Patchakow)

6.I OPEN AT THE CLOSE (2009, Supakit Seksuwan)
You can watch the film here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6891688715636521784

7.LISTENING (2008, Skarin Gunkhan)
You can watch this film here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf6Y7VDKVPg

8.MAN AND GRAVITY: PLATEAU (2009, Jakrawal Nilthamrong)
Jakrawal’s film will be shown in the World Film Festival of Bangkok 2009.
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/111/Guts-Short-Programme-1.html

9.ONE NIGHT (คืนหนึ่ง) (2009, Zart Tancharoen)
Another film of Zart, called LOST NATION, will be screened in the World Film Festival of Bangkok 2009.
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/7/Lost-Nation.html

10.PHANTOMS OF NABUA (2009, Apichatpong Weerasethakul)
You can watch this film here:
http://www.animateprojects.org/films/by_date/2009/phantoms
Filmsick wrote about this film in Fuse magazine, issue 30, July 2009.

11.POISON 2.7: WHY GOING TO BIG C (ยาพิษ 2.7: ทำไมต้องไปบิ๊กซี) (2009, Eakarach Monwat)
You can watch the film in the link below, but the film is in Thai without subtitles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnfZJxw1GBY

12.POLITICALLY LAWYER AND NARRATIVE CINEMA (ฆาตกรรรมสวาท ประหลาดน่านฟ้า ทำให้คนหายตัวไป) (2009, Chaloemkiat Saeyong)
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/07/politically-lawyer-and-narrative-cinema.html
My Thai video comment for this film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPYIdyTjQ8Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4X-7f-xB-Q

13.POPULAR (สมัยนิยม) (2009, Korn Kanogkekarin)

14.PULSATILE MASS (2009, Nok Paksnavin)

15.SHORTCUT TO HEAVEN (ทางลัดขึ้นสวรรค์) (2008, Phaisit Phanphruksachart)

16.SUMMER STORM (2009, Tossapol Boonsinsukh)
You can watch the film here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6brba_J3e8

17.SWEETHEART GARDEN (มธุรส) (2009, Tanatchai Bandasak)

18.WAKE UP TIME (ตื่นสมัย) (2009, Chaiwat Wiansantia)
You can watch the film here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYlE9nS9smM
Filmsick’s comment on this film:
http://filmsick.exteen.com/20090721/marathon-diary-18-19-7-52

19.WHISPERING GHOSTS (2008, Taiki Sakpisit)
This film will be shown again on Nov 1 in the Taiki Sakpisit retrospective. You can read the details of this event in the link below:
http://thirdclasscitizen.exteen.com/20091022/third-class-cinema-017-the-portrait-of-ghosts-taiki-sakpisit
(The photos below come from Bioscope webboard)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4054982712_a66f42679e_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/4054982718_4b495de911_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3510/4054982720_fefcc660ef_o.jpg

Filmsick’s comment on this film:
http://filmsick.exteen.com/20090721/marathon-diary-18-19-7-52

20.WRONGDOER (2009, Pongpattana Puangkwamsook)

You can cast multiple votes.

MY SCHEDULE FOR WORLD FILM FESTIVAL OF BANGKOK 2009

SAT 7 NOV

11.00 UPRISE (Sandro Aguilar, Portugal)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/30/Uprise.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCZboYx7R9o

13.15 BILLO (2008, Laura Muscardin, Senegal, Italy)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/20/Billo,-Il-Grand-Dakhaar.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltt8FRN-5w0

15.30 DIAMONDS (2009, Mikael Enlund, Thailand)
+GREEN ROCKING CHAIR (2008, Roxlee, Philippines)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/72/Diamonds.html
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/5/Green-Rocking-Chair.html

18.30 LOST NATION (2009, Zart Tancharoen, Thailand)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/7/Lost-Nation.html

21.00 KARAOKE (2009, Chris Chong Chan Fui, Malaysia)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/6/Karaoke.html

SUN 8 NOV

11.00 THE LAST APPLAUSE (2009, German Kral, Argentina)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/66/Last-Applause,-The.html

13.00 GUTS SHORT PROGRAM 1
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/111/Guts-Short-Programme-1.html

15.20 JONAH WHO WILL BE 25 IN THE YEAR 2000 (1976, Alain Tanner, Switzerland)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/25/Jonah-Who-Will-Be-25-in-the-Year-2000.html

18.00 TO DIE LIKE A MAN (2009, Joao Pedro Rodrigues, Portugal)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/21/To-Die-Like-a-Man.html

20.45 THE RAT HERB (2009, Julio Bressane + Rosa Dias, Brazil)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/41/Rat-Herb,-The.html

MON 9 NOV

11.00 ZIFT (2008, Javor Gardev, Bulgaria)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/19/Zift.html

13.15 FACE (2009, Tsai Ming-liang, Taiwan)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/4/Face.html

16.00 LIGHT YEARS AWAY (1981, Alain Tanner, Switzerland, 110 min)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/28/Light-Years-Away.html

18.15 A LETTER TO UNCLE BOONMEE (2009, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Thailand)
+ I FORGOT THE TITLE (2009, Christelle Lheureux, Italy)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/48/Letter-to-Uncle-Boonmee,-A.html
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/68/I-Forgot-the-Title.html

20.30 GIVER TAKER HEARTBREAKER (2009, Christopher Arcella, USA)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/33/Giver-Taker-Heartbreaker.html

TUE 10 NOV

11.00 WHITE DAYS (2009, Lei Yuan Bin, Singapore)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/13/White-Days.html

13.00 A MISCHIEVOUS SMILE LIGHTS UP HER FACE (2009, Christelle Lheureux, France)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/47/Mischievous-Smile-Lights-Up-Her-Face,-A.html

15.15 SHORT WAVE PROGRAM 2
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/96/Short-Wave-Programme-2.html

18.00 SHANGHAI, WAITING FOR PARADISE (2007, Sylvie Levey, China)
+SHANGHYPE CONDENSED
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/108/Shanghai,-Waiting-for-Paradise.html
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/109/Shanghype-condensed!.html

21.00 IN THE WHITE CITY (1983, Alain Tanner, Switzerland)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/29/In-The-White-City.html

WED 11 NOV

11.00 SHORT WAVE PROGRAM 1
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/95/Short-Wave-Programme-1.html

13.15 MILK (2008, Semih Kaplanoglu, Turkey)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/16/Milk.html

16.00 A VIRUS IN THE CITY (2008, Cedric Venail, France)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/61/Virus-in-the-City,-A.html

19.00 A LAKE (2008, Philippe Grandrieux, France)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/31/Lake,-A.html

20.15 FATHER OF MY CHILDREN (2009, Mia Hansen-Love, France)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/34/Father-of-My-Children.html

THURSDAY 12 NOV

11.00 THEY ALL LIE (2009, Matias Pineiro, Argentina)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/44/They-All-Lie.html

13.30 HOME (2009, Ursula Meier, Switzerland)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/32/Home.html

15.30 THE KOREAN WEDDING CHEST (2009, Ulrike Ottinger, South Korea)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/59/Korean-Wedding-Chest,-The.html

19.00 MESSIDOR (1979, Alain Tanner, Switzerland)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/27/Messidor.html

21.45 LETTER TO A CHILD (2008, Vlado Skafar, Slovenia)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/62/Letter-To-A-Child.html

FRIDAY 13 NOV

11.00 HAWKER (2008, Dustin Feneley, Australia)
+ THE TALE OF THE DEVIL’S HILL AND ENDLESS SEARCH FOR FREEDOM (2009, Keren Cytter, Germany)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/97/Hawker.html
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/69/Tale-of-the-Devils-Hill-and-Endless-Search-for-Freedom,-The.html

13.15 SEX TOY STORIES (2009, Anne Deluz, France)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/58/Sex-Toys-Stories.html

15.30 SHOULD I REALLY DO IT? (2008, Ismail Necmi, Turkey)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/17/Should-I-Really-Do-It-.html

19.00 GULABI TALKIES (2008, Girish Kasaravalli, India)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/12/Gulabi-Talkies.html

21.45 IN COMPARISON (2009, Harun Farocki, Germany)
+ BLACKBERRY WINTER (2006, Brent Stewart, USA)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/110/In-Comparison.html
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/67/Blackberry-Winter.html

SAT 14 NOV

11.00 THIS LONGING (2008, Azharr Rudin, Malaysia)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/8/This-Longing.html

13.30 BAD BOYS CELL 425 (2009, Janusz Mrozowski, Poland)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/51/Bad-Boys-Cell-425.html

16.00 CAL ARTS PROGRAM (129 min)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/100/CalArts-Shorts:-Portrait-Documentaries-from-Womens-Perspective..html

18.45 COLORS OF OUR HEARTS (2009, Supamok Silarak, Thailand)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/3/Colors-of-our-Hearts.html

21.00 NOMAD’S LAND (2008, Gael Metroz, Switzerland)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/52/Nomads-Land.html

SUN 15 NOV

11.00 GUTS SHORT PROGRAM 2
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/112/Guts-Short-Programme-2.html

13.30 FLOODING IN THE TIME OF DROUGHT (2009, Sherman Ong, Singapore)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/10/Flooding-in-The-Time-of-Drought.html

17.00 CHARLES, DEAD OR ALIVE (1969, Alain Tanner, Switzerland)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/24/Charles,-Dead-or-Alive.html

19.00 ABSURDISTAN (2008, Veit Helmer, Germany)
http://www.worldfilmbkk.com/films/35/Absurdistan.html

FRIEDRICH, STRAUB, HUILLET, KANAI

The Reading Room, which is a new library in Bangkok, will hold a screening of some interesting films.

This is the website of The Reading Room:
http://www.readingroombkk.org

The films will be shown at 1500 hrs. The details of the program can be seen here:

Screenings

There are screenings of video art and experimental film twice a month, organized by Film Virus.

Screening Schedule:

Sat. Nov. 21
Films of Su Friedrich

Sat. Dec. 5
Jean-Marie Straub/Daniele Huillet’s “Klassenverhältnisse” (1984)
Interview with Straub/Huillet:

Sat. Dec. 19
Films of Katsu Kanai

FILM WISH LIST FOR STARZ DENVER FILM FESTIVAL

This is my comment in Peter Nellhaus’ blog:
http://www.coffeecoffeeandmorecoffee.com/archives/2009/10/i_aim_for_the_s.html

If I can attend the Starz Denver Film Festival, I will go to see:

1.FILM IST. A GIRL AND A GUN (Gustav Deutsch, Austria)

2.I AM NOT YOUR FRIEND (Gyorgy Palfi, Hungary)

3.IRENE (Alain Cavalier, France)

4.THE LITTLE ONE (Tizza Covi + Rainer Frimmel)

5.MEMORY (Matthias Ludhardt, Germany)

MYSTERIOUS OBJECT AT NOON IS THE WINNER

My poll 66 ended with 11 votes. Thanks very much to everyone who participated in it. Here is the result:

THESE GREAT FILMS ARE SUPPORTED BY HUBERT BALS FUND. WHICH ONES DO YOU LIKE?

1.MYSTERIOUS OBJECT AT NOON (2000, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Thailand)

It got 8 votes, or 72 %.

2.DIVINE INTERVENTION (2002, Elia Suleiman, Palestine)

It got 5 votes, or 45 %.

3.INDEPENDENCIA (2009, Raya Martin, Philippines)
+WONDERFUL TOWN (2008, Aditya Assarat, Thailand)

Each of them got 4 votes, or 36 %.

5.JAPON (2002, Carlos Reygadas, Mexico)
+PLATFORM (2000, Jia Zhangke, China)
+THE SKY, THE EARTH, AND THE RAIN (2008, Jose Luis Torres Leiva,
Chile)

Each of them got 3 votes, or 27 %.

8.4 (2005, Ilya Khrjanovsky, Russia)
+LA RABIA (2008, Albertina Carri, Argentina)
+VIOLET PERFUME – NOBODY HEARS YOU (2000, Marysa Sistach, Mexico)

Each of them got 2 votes, or 18 %.

11.ALICE’S HOUSE (2007, Chico Teixeira, Brazil)
+FEAST OF VILLAINS (2008, Pan Jianlin, China)
+FORGIVENESS (2004, Ian Gabriel, South Africa)
+FOTOGRAF (2001, Kazim Oz, Turkey)
+MAGIC GLOVES (2003, Martin Rejtman, Argentina)
+SUMMER BOOK (2008, Seyfi Teoman, Turkey)

Each of them got 1 vote, or 9%.

17.AURORA (2009, Adolfo B. Alix, Jr., Philippines)
+DREAMS (2005, Mohamed Al Daradji, Iraq)
+INLAND (2008, Tariq Teguia, Algeria)
+THIRST (2003, Tawfik Abu Wael, Israel)

Each of them got 0 vote.

–Apart from the excellent ZDF/ARTE, I think there are many interesting film companies. Some are film production companies. Some are film distributor companies. I think the interesting ones include:

1.WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS (FRANCE)
http://www.whynotproductions.fr/

1.1 COUNTRY TEACHER (2008, Bohdan Slama, Czech, A+)
http://www.whynotproductions.fr/film3.php?id=54&PHPSESSID=80ae08633848db6a495e4c7bf913ef30

1.2 LET’S DANCE (2007, Noemie Lvovsky, A+)
http://www.whynotproductions.fr/film3.php?id=51

1.3 MY SON (2006, Martial Fougeron, A+)
http://www.whynotproductions.fr/film3.php?id=31

1.4 LE PETIT LIEUTENANT (2005, Xavier Beauvois, A+)
http://www.whynotproductions.fr/film3.php?id=31

1.5 COMMENT JE ME SUIS DISPUTE…(MA VIE SEXUELLE) (1996, Arnaud Desplechin, A+)
http://www.whynotproductions.fr/film3.php?id=11

2.LES FILMS DU LOSANGE (FRANCE)
http://www.filmsdulosange.fr/
http://www.filmsdulosange.fr/fr_catalogue.php

2.1 HIDDEN (Michael Haneke, A+)

2.2 VIVA ALGERIA (Nadir Mokneche, A+)

2.3 THE GREEN RAY (Eric Rohmer, A+)

2.4 TO BE AND TO HAVE (Nicholas Philibert, A+)

2.5 EUROPA EUROPA (Agnieszska Holland, A+)

3.KILLER FILMS (USA)
http://www.killerfilms.com/filmography.html

3.1 A HOME AT THE END OF THE WORLD (2004, Michael Mayer, A+)

3.2 THE COMPANY (2003, Robert Altman, A)

3.3 FAR FROM HEAVEN (2003, Todd Haynes, A+)

3.4 STORYTELLING (2001, Todd Solondz, A+)

3.5 HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (2001, John Cameron Mitchell, A+)

4.FORTISSIMO (NETHERLANDS)
http://www.fortissimo.nl/default.asp

4.1 ALL ABOUT LILY CHOU CHOU (2001, Shunji Iwai, A+)

4.2 THE BLUE KITE (1993, Tian Zhuangzhuang, A+)

4.3 CHUNGKING EXPRESS (1994, Wong Kar-wai, A+)

4.4 THE DRESS (1996, Alex van Warmerdam, A+)

4.5 EYE IN THE SKY (2007, Yau Nai Hoi, A)

5.ELECTRIC EEL FILMS (THAILAND)
http://www.electriceelfilms.com/work.html

5.1 LIKE.REAL.LOVE (2008, Anocha Suwichakornpong, A+)

5.2 SMALL WORLD (2008, Wasunun Hutawetch, A+)

5.3 FOUR BOYS, WHITE WHISKEY, AND GRILLED MOUSE (2009, Wichanon Somumjarn, A+)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jzNB2j8sJQ

5.4 ONE SEPTEMBER STORY (2008, Teekhadet Vucharadhanin, A+)

5.5 SILENCIO (2007, Sivaroj Kongsakul, A+)

6.UTV (INDIA)
http://www.utvnet.com/mp_production.htm

6.1 KAMINEY (2009, Vishal Bhardwaj, A-)

6.2 JODHAA AKBAR (2008, Ashutosh Gowariker, A+)

6.3 DELHI-6 (2009, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-2wCCkWhhk

6.4 AGYAAT (2009, Ram Gopal Verma)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4u3psdmx2Q

6.5 AAMIR (2008, Raj Kumar Gupta)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CitnPPJ3B8s

7.DARK CASTLE ENTERTAINMENT (USA)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Castle_Entertainment

This Hollywood company produces “guilty pleasures” for me

7.1 GOTHIKA (2003, Mathieu Kassovitz, A+)

7.2 HOUSE OF WAX (2005, Jaume Collet-Serra, A+)

7.3 WHITEOUT (2009, Dominic Sena, A+/A)

7.4 ORPHAN (2009, Jaume Collet-Serra, A+)

7.5 NINJA ASSASSIN (2009, James McTeigue)

8.AMERICAN ZOETROPE (USA)
http://www.zoetrope.com/

8.1 LUDWIG: REQUIEM FOR A VIRGIN KING (1972, Hans-Juergen Syberberg, A+)

8.2 SLOW MOTION (1979, Jean-Luc Godard, A+)

8.3 MISHIMA: A LIFE IN FOUR CHAPTERS (1985, Paul Schrader, A+/A)

8.4 JEEPERS CREEPERS (2001, Victor Salva, A+)

8.5 KINSEY (2004, Bill Condon, A+/A)

9.BARRANDOV STUDIOS (CZECH)
http://www.barrandov.com/

9.1 CLOSELY OBSERVED TRAINS (1966, Jiri Menzel, A)

9.2 LEA (1997, Ivan Fila, A+/A)

9.3 LITTLE OTIK (2000, Jan Svankmajer)

9.4 ZELARY (2003, Ondrej Trojan)

9.5 OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN (2008, Vladimir Michalek)

10.GTH (THAILAND)
http://www.gth.co.th/th/index.php

Yes, most films of this company are middlebrow. But I think one interesting thing about this mainstream company is the fact that the word “GTH” somehow has become an adjective, meaning “middlebrow romantic comedy” or “too feel-good”, or “safe/uncontroversial”, or something like that. When a Thai cinephile talks to his Thai friends, “I think this foreign film is like a GTH film, but a little bit better than GTH”, his friends understand instantly how that foreign film is like. The Thai cinephile doesn’t have to describe a lot about that foreign film, just using the word “GTH” is enough.
It is more difficult to use the words “Sahamongkol Film” or “Phranakorn Film” as adjective, because these two Thai film companies seem to produce films with more varied styles and more varied qualities.

10.1 DEAR GALILEO (2009, Nithiwat Tharathorn, A+/A)

10.2 HORMONES (2008, Songyos Sukmakanant, A+)

10.3 HANDLE ME WITH CARE (2008, Kongdej Jaturanrasamee, A+)

10.4 FINAL SCORE (2007, Soraya Nakhasuwan, A+)

10.5 METROSEXUAL (2006, Yongyoot Thongkongtoon, A+)

11.HAMMER FILM PRODUCTIONS (UK)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammer_Film_Productions

12.SHAW BROTHERS STUDIO (HONG KONG)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaw_Brothers_Studio

13.MIRAMAX
In early 1990’s, the word MIRAMAX means “above average films” to me. Since late 1990’s, the word MIRAMAX means “mostly middlebrow” to me.

14.FILM4 PRODUCTIONS (UK)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film4_Productions

15.SHOWBOX (SOUTH KOREA)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showbox

16.CJ ENTERTAINMENT (SOUTH KOREA)
http://www.cjent.co.kr/eng/

17.WILD BUNCH
http://www.wildbunch.biz/homepage.cfm

18.MEDUSA (ITALY)
http://www.medusa.it/

19.RAI CINEMA (ITALY)
http://www.raicinema.it/dl/RaiCinema/home_.html

20.TF1 (FRANCE)
http://www.variety.com/profiles/Company/role/Production%20Company/2111282/TF1+Films+Productions.html?dataSet=1

20.1 A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT (2004, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, A+)

20.2 SADE (2002, Benoit Jacquot, A)

20.3 ASSASSIN(S) (1997, Mathieu Kassovitz, A+/A)

20.4 MOON IN THE GUTTER (1983, Jean-Jacques Beineix, A+)

20.5 MY AMERICAN UNCLE (1980, Alain Resnais, A+)

———————————————-

–I think some record companies are also very interesting, such as:

1.LES DISQUES DU CREPUSCULE
http://home.planet.nl/~frankbri/crestory.html

2.SARAH RECORDS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Records

3.LABRADOR (SWEDEN)
http://www.labrador.se/index125.html

3.1 SAY YES IF YOU LOVE ME – Acid House Kings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mj7jZDGlWw

3.2 LOVE IN DECEMBER – Club 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJVKKY-vbEA

3.3 WHEN NOTHING – Afraid of Stairs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8RtypYfypQ

3.4 RENT A WRECK – Suburban Kids with Biblical Names
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCGGdIfhJh8

3.5 PULLING OUR WEIGHT – The Radio Dept.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1aT8fNBts8

4.4AD
http://www.4ad.com/

5.PWL
http://www.pwl-empire.com/discog.html

6.AVEX
http://avexnet.jp/list/

FAVORITE CLIPS 3

FAVORITE CLIPS 3

A.FILMS

1.BELIEVE ME (2009, Meathus Sirinawin and friends, Thailand)
http://www.rangkid.com/thaipeopletheater/vote/index/guid/1e68427cd106244c798f24e3e9a20687

2.BIRD (1968, Frans Zwartjes, Netherlands, A+)
Thanks to Wiwat for telling us about this film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yALxXKDjI1k

3.A CANDLE (FOR ALEXIS AND NIKA) (2009, John Gianvito)
http://vimeo.com/6539461

4.CHOCOLATE (2009, Yasmin Ahmad, Malaysia, A+)
Thanks to Wise Kwai for telling us about this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HPt4Is5V50

5.THE DIVERS (2006, Nicolas Provost, A+)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=767BM3ZOS_s

6.EDOK TOWN (2009, Thai gay series)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–hfeavdvXM

7.FOR ALEXIS (2009, Apichatpong Weerasethakul)
http://vimeo.com/6408991

8.A MOTH (2008, Daniel Fernandez, Argentina, A+)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDNqFOrpB-Q

9.PAMELA, POUR TOUJOURS (2003, Alain Bourges, France, A+++++)
http://www.vimeo.com/3782820

10.PHANTOMS OF NABUA (2009, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Thailand, A+)
http://www.animateprojects.org/films/by_date/2009/phantoms

11.READ ME (2009, Janenarong Sirimaha, Thailand, A+)
Thanks to Merveillesxx for telling us about this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlRW6vughMs

12.THINK KINDLY (2009, Chulayarnnon Siriphol, Thailand, A+)
Thanks to Graiwoot for telling us about this.
http://www.rangkid.com/thaipeopletheater/vote/index/guid/da0f40a180004aa023e3629c4282e245

13.WALL OF DIPLOMA (2009, Wiwat Lertwiwatwongsa, A+)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHYdADtkF_s

14.WIND (1996, Marcell Ivanyi, Hungary, A+)
Thanks to Wiwat for telling us about this film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAIiCXbJAR8

B.SONGS/MUSIC VIDEOS

1.BACK HOME – Gold Panda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD-48WUGMY4

2.BLIND – Hercules and Love Affair
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb8S51M2GAc

3.DROWNING – Khavn (directed by Sherad Anthony Sanchez)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gYk6UZu-4s

4.HIBI NO NEIRO – Sour
Thanks to Nat for telling us about this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfBlUQguvyw

5.ID ENGAGER – Of Montreal (animation)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHFUXH4PP5c

6.I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE – The Gaslamp Killer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yi5wbAsNzE

7.KEMURI – DJ Krush
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVjgRlto8PI

8.LOVE – Keyshia Cole
Thanks to Graiwoot for telling us about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBwfPEyhgyI

9.MONSTER – Something for Kate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srjbfOwd1Jk

10.NOVEMBER STARLINGS – Trembling Blue Stars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9Bea_rDB6M

11.OH! (Andrew ‘Friendly Fires’ remix) – We Have Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7z6Vl9DPaw

12.PITCHFORK’S 100 AWESOME MUSIC VIDEOS
Thanks to Nathan Homsup for telling us about this.
http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/6364-100-awesome-music-videos/1/

13.PITY DANCE – DM Stith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3frxcEuQyE

14.THE PLEDGE – Dowliners Sekt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2ANkNCpyKc

15.PRAP BOONPAN VS COCONUTCREAM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5lRzqShFrs

16.SABISHII NETTAIGYO (1989) – Wink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qazEhYX5Qkk

17.SHADY TREES – Manuel Tur
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lawKuSRwKyc

18.SONG OF ‘99 (1999) – Human Thirst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unzn_gn1vfA

19.TEARS FOR AFFAIRS – Camera Obscura
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa1OJ8n1r6U

20.THERE’S NO DOUBT (YOU’D GET KILLED) – Friday Bridge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sizezmr-1c

21.THIS HEART IS A STONE – Acid House Kings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vIwjaOyZWk

22.WANT A HUSBAND – Coyote Dance 2
Thanks to Art Nattavud for telling us about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNViTaFWvBU

C.TRAILERS
MYNA HAS GONE (2009, Sonia Escolano + Sadrac Gonzalez)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06HzCKBCEVg

D.FILM CLIPS
EVENING SKY (1982, Shahrom Md. Dom, Malaysia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4kpJT4hF_k

E.OTHER THINGS

1.Darna and Molecula vs. Valentina
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0gtJ50iXs0

2.Hi-So Leena advertisment
Thanks to Art Nattavud for telling us about this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ZqhmXjk5c

3.Nuttorn’s clip of Lav Diaz on July 31
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PsZs_BrIOY

4.Video comments for Thai short films 2009
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/08/video-comments-for-thai-short-films.html

5.Yekmon25este’s channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/yekmon25este

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FAVORITE CLIPS 1
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/05/favorite-clips-1.html

FAVORITE CLIPS 2
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2009/07/favorite-clips-2.html