AN IMAGINARY FILM: VANTAGE POINT: RATCHADAMNERN ROAD

The magazine ARTFORUM, April 2008, has an article which talks about the performance PICHET KLUNCHUN AND MYSELF. The article is called THE MODEST PROPOSALS, written by Joe Scanlan
http://www.artforum.com/inprint/issue=200804

You can watch a clip from PICHET KLUNCHUN AND MYSELF here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rnu60IsgDM

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This is my comment in Bioscope Webboard:
http://www.bioscopemagazine.com/smf/index.php?topic=71.1230

The rumour said that there might be a political massacre in Bangkok today. I was very afraid and decided not to go to see movies and a stage play. I decided to stay at home and read the magazines STEP NO. 12 and STEP NO.10.

http://www.magazinedee.com/main/magall.php?mag=3171
http://www.magazinedee.com/main/magall.php?mag=2775

If there is another coup d’etat in Thailand again, I think the film which unintentionally predicts this event is REPEATING DRAMATIC (2008, Arpapun Plungsirisoontorn, A+++++), which talks about the vicious circle of Thailand’s politics via repeated scenes from a melodrama TV series.

About the violence in Ratchadamnern Road on May 25, 2008, and the possible violence in the future, I think what is interesting is the retelling of the same events from different viewpoints. One story makes me hate one group. Another story makes me hate another group. I DON’T KNOW WHAT THE TRUTH IS ANYMORE. That makes me think that, in the future, if someone intends to makes a film about the violence on Ratchadamnern Road, he or she may make the film using the same structure as VANTAGE POINT (2008, Pete Travis, A-)

DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEWS IN VANTAGE POINT: RATCHADAMNERN ROAD (an imaginary film)

1.MEDIA’S POINT OF VIEW

2.POLICE

3.A PARTICIPANT IN THE MOB

4.SOMSAK

5.SOME MILITARY COMMANDERS IN A MEETING

6.SOME NORTHEASTERN PEOPLE WHO WATCH THE NEWS

7.AN INNOCENT GUY IN THE SOUTHERNMOST PART OF THAILAND WHO DOESN’T KNOW THAT HE IS GOING TO BE MURDERED SOON

8.THE GHOSTS OF PEOPLE WHO WERE MURDERED IN THE NEARBY AREAS SEVERAL DECADES AGO

SIGN THE PETITION TO SAFEGUARD FREEDOM ON THAILAND’S INTERNET

You can sign the petition to safeguard our freedom of expression on the internet in Thailand at:

http://gopetition.com/online/19589

Subject: A call for accountability from Thepthai Senpong and Thailand’s Democrat Party, and a call for all netizens to safeguard our rights and freedom of expression on the Internet

Reference is made to the disclosure made by Thepthai Senpong, the Democrat Party’s Assistant Secretary-General, of 29 websites that are allegedly “dangerous websites” that have lèse majesté content. He demanded that government and the Minister of Information and Communication Technology take action against such websites. This story has been widely reported in the news media.

We, the undersigned, would like to express our stance on this issue as follows:

1. We believe that the right and freedom of expression, especially the expression of diverse viewpoints that differ from the establishment’s views, must be respected and protected.

Every democratic society that wishes to see peace and harmony must fully support and protect its people’s freedom of speech. Mutual respect and understanding is one of the most crucial ingredients of peace in a society in which members are different and diverse. The only way we can learn to move toward such goal of mutual respect and understanding is by fostering an environment in which everyone feels free to express his or her opinions fully and responsibly.

The door that leads us toward mutual respect and understanding will slam shut as soon as our mouths and hearts are silenced.

2. We disagree with using the monarchy as a tool to achieve political goals.

Most of the websites and blogs that Thepthai identified are not full of content or information that can be considered offensive to the monarchy. Many websites present information that are academic in nature, full of supporting data and rationale. Thepthai’s indiscriminating allegation that lumped all these websites into one category is therefore a gross error that resulted from the lack of thorough fact-checking, an easy way of putting pressure to silence differing opinions without regard to due process, a way of using the monarchy as a political tool to destroy political opponents, and instigate harmful discordance among Thai people. All of these points show an alarming lack of the democratic spirit.

We, the undersigned, hereby demand that Thepthai Senpong and the Democrat Party show accountability for the aforementioned act, stop the wrongful slander against websites or persons, and immediately stop putting pressure or creating the momentum to suppress freedom of speech in whatever shape or form.

In addition, since Thepthai Senpong’s action was not the first time that allegation of lèse majesté was used as a tool to silence opponents, and since we still see such an unacceptable act in many instances occur regularly, whether at the hands of public officials, politicians, or members of the press, we also hereby demand every party to stop such a behavior.

Lastly, we would like to invite all netizens and citizens to use our right and freedom of speech equitably and responsibly, to jointly monitor and protect the Internet so that it may always remain the common space for learning, seeking wisdom, and accepting diverse viewpoints of fellow human beings, whether or not we agree with them.

With regards,

WHICH FILM REPRESENTS THE NEAR FUTURE OF THAILAND?

QUESTION: WHICH FILM REPRESENTS THE NEAR FUTURE OF THAILAND?

A. ALIENS VS. PREDATOR 2 (2007, Colin Strausse + Greg Strausse)

B. THE MIST (2007, Frank Darabont)

C. HOTEL RWANDA (2004, Terry George)

D. FINAL SOLUTION (2003, Rakesh Sharma)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3829364588351777769&q=&hl=en

E. ALL OF THE ABOVE

You can see the images from the violence in Bangkok on May 25, 2008 here:
http://www.prachatai.com/05web/th/home/12285

 

THINGS EXPERIENCED IN MARCH 2008

 

I just knew from THE EVENING CLASS’ blog that KITCHEN (2005, Alice Winocour, A+) will be widely distributed. I like this short film very much. It stars Elina Lowensohn, the leading actress of SOMBRE (1998, Philippe Grandrieux, A+++++) and AMATEUR (1994, Hal Hartley, A+). Don’t miss this film. The trouble of a woman in a kitchen in this film makes me think it should be played together with BLOW UP MY TOWN (1968, Chantal Akerman, A+++++).

You can read the details about the distribution of this film at:
http://theeveningclass.blogspot.com/2008/05/french-cinema-lorigine-de-la-tendresse.html

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FAVORITE SONG

HILLI (AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD) – Amiina/Lee Hazlewood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THT-ribn9VY

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THINGS EXPERIENCED IN MARCH 2008

A.FILMS

1.A TOUGH CREATURE WHO BURDENS THE EARTH (SAT WIBAK NAK LOKE) (2008, Paisit Panpruegsachat, A++++++++++)

2.ZOOM +/- (2008, Theerawat Maysasitthivit, video installation, A+)

3.BY TOMORROW (2008, Tuksina Pipitkul, A+)
I saw this film at Conference of Birds Gallery.

4.RED PSALM (1972, Miklos Jancso, Hungary, A+)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067467/

5.THE DEVILS (1971, Ken Russell, A+)

6.HAPPY END (1966, Oldrich Lipsky, Czechoslovakia, A+)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061029/

7.WHO ARE YOU POLLY MAGGOO? (1966, William Klein, A+)

8.PERSEPOLIS (2007, Marjane Satrapi + Vincent Paronnaud, A+)

9.UNTITLED VIDEO ON LYNN STEWART AND HER CONVICTION, LAW AND POETRY (2006, Paul Chan, A+)
I saw this film at Conference of Birds Gallery.

10.STRAWBERRY (2008, Thaweesak Srithongdee + Boonchai Apintanaphong, A+)

11.SUPERNOYZ (2008, Orawan Arunrak, video + installation, A+)

12.THE ROAD TO KALIGMUGTONG (2006, Mes de Guzman, Philippines, A+)

13.FAKE FIELD (2008, Paisit Panpruegsachat, A+)

14.HANDLE ME WITH CARE (2008, Kongdej Jaturanrasamee, A+)
This is Wise Kwai’s review of the film:
http://thaifilmjournal.blogspot.com/2008/02/review-handle-me-with-care-kod.html

This is Filmsick’s review of the film in Thai:
http://filmsick.exteen.com/20080225/entry

15.HERO PROJECT (2008, Thaweesak Srithongdee + Boonchai Apintanaphong, A+)

16.WELCOME TO HERO LAND (2005, Thaweesak Srithongdee + Boonchai Apintanaphong, A+)
These are two scenes from the film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlIaktk7dyk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5S1lSDPppA

17.IN AND OUT OF FASHION (1998, William Klein, A+)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0459408/

18.FLESH (2006, Thaweesak Srithongdee + Boonchai Apintanaphong, A+)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMdkaPex2Xw

19.P.S. I LOVE YOU (2007, Richard LaGravenese, A+)

20.MY BLUEBERY NIGHTS (2007, Wong Kar-wai, A+)

21.THE KITE RUNNER (2007, Marc Forster, A+)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0419887/

22.NON GAI NAPAK (2003, Thaweesak Srithongdee + Boonchai Apintanaphong, A+)

23.DAN IN REAL LIFE (2007, Peter Hedges, A+/A)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480242/

24.IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH (2007, Paul Haggis, A+/A)
This is Nanoguy’s review of the film in Thai:
http://nanoguy.exteen.com/20080322/in-the-valley-of-elah

25.HORMONES (2008, Songyos Sukmakanan, A+/A)
This is Wise Kwai’s review of the film:
http://thaifilmjournal.blogspot.com/2008/03/review-pid-term-yai-huajai-wawun.html

26.CARRY (2007, Thaweesak Srithongdee + Boonchai Apintanaphong, MV, A+/A)

27.ONCE (2006, John Carney, A)

28.BEAUTIFUL (2008, Supapong Laodheerasiri, video + installation, A)

29.HAPPY EXISTENTIALISM (2002, Paisit Panpruegsachat, A)

30.WHERE ARE THAIS FROM? (2007, Prateep Suthathongthai, 4 min, A)

31.NO-ONE (2007, Thaweesak Srithongdee + Boonchai Apintanaphong, MV, A)

32.LOVE SO STRONG (2006, Thaweesak Srithongdee + Boonchai Apintanaphong, MV, A)

33.JAI CHA CHA (2005, Thaweesak Srithongdee + Boonchai Apintanaphong, MV, A)

34.I COULD NEVER BE YOUR WOMAN (2008, Amy Heckerling, A/A-)

35.GABON (CLOUD) (2007, Emmanuel Dela Cruz, Philippines, A-)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1085818/

36.THE 8TH DAY (2008, Chodchai Yoadsaranee, A-)
This is Wise Kwai’s review of this film:
http://thaifilmjournal.blogspot.com/2008/02/review-8th-day.html

37.P2 (2007, Franck Khalfoun, A-)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0804516/

38.AWAKE (2007, Joby Harold, A-)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0211933/

39.SANG DAO GUB DOKMAIFAI (2001, Thaweesak Srithongdee + Boonchai Apintanaphong, MV, A-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tskktluD4xo

40.CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR (2007, Mike Nichols, A-)

41.CJ7 (2008, Stephen Chow, A-)

42.27 DRESSES (2008, Anne Fletcher, A-)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0988595/

43.THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES (2008, Mark Waters, A-)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416236/

44.SHUTTER (2008, Masayuki Ochiai, A-)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0482599/

45.STEP UP 2: THE STREETS (2008, Jon Chu, A-/B+)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1023481/

46.BOOGEYMAN 2 (2007, Jeff Betancourt, B+)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0900357/

47.DEAD IN 3 DAYS (2006, Andreas Prochaska, Austria, B+)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808315/

48.SOUL’S CODE (2008, Asajan Satkovit, B)

B. 75 FILMS SEEN IN THE BANGKOK EXPERIMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL 5
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/04/repeating-dramatic-2008-arpapun.html

C.STAGE PERFORMANCES

1.HUNGER (Wisarut Chuaypetch, A+)

2.I STARTED A JOKE (Duangjai Hiransri, A+)

3.BABYMIME SHOW VOL.1 (Nikorn Saetang, A)

4.I STARTED A JOKE (Nophand Boonyai, A)

5.I STARTED A JOKE (Saifar Tanthana, A)

6.PATTAYA (Shogo Tanikawa, A-)

D.EXHIBITIONS

1.LIFE AND THE CEMETERY AFTER THE DEATH (Preecha Noulnim, A+++++)

2.MY FOLK EXPERIENCE OF KINETIC TECHNOLOGY (Krit Ngamsom, A+++)

3.PIG’S EYE (Tuksina Pipitkul, A+)

4.LUK TUNG: THAI FOLK LIFE (Naruemon Padsamran, A+)

5.SURFACE: IN TRANSIT (Ling Jian, paintings, A+)

6.THAI-IN TAI-IN THAI (Prateep Suthathongthai)

7.DON’T LOOK BACK (Wasan Thitisakul, interactive installation)

8.NEGATIVE IMAGE (Boonchuey Kirdree)

9.STRAWBERRY (Thaweesak Srithongdee + Boonchai Apintanaphong)

10.ENLIGHTENMENT (Kraising Sudsa-nguan, paintings)
http://www.whitespaceasia.com/gallery/past/feb_mar_08.html

11.OUT OF CLAY (Panchalie Sathisaras, ceramics)

———————————————–

THINGS EXPERIENCED IN FEB 2008
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/05/things-experienced-in-feb-2008.html

THINGS EXPERIENCED IN JAN 2008
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/04/things-experienced-in-jan-2008.html

POLL 21: TO SEE INVISIBLE IMAGES, TO HEAR INAUDIBLE SOUND

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

 

TO SEE INVISIBLE IMAGES

My twenty-first poll is inspired by four of my most favorite films this month—EKLEIPSIS, EMERALD, NOT A MATTER OF IF BUT WHEN, and THIS CONSTRUCT CAN SERVE NO PURPOSE ANYMORE. All these films/plays have one thing in common. They use spoken words to make the audience visualize some images. So I decided to make a list of my favorite films and stage plays which use the same technique.

I like this kind of films/plays very much. I think the technique of using spoken words in films/plays usually give me a kind of ultimate pleasure. It usually makes me see two images at the same time. My physical eyes see the faces of the speakers, the nuances of feelings and emotions on their faces, or some other images which may or may not link to what the voiceovers say. At the same time, my mental eye visualizes the images described by the character in the film. Seeing both real and imagined images at the same time makes me feel something very strong, very powerful, very intense. It is not the same as reading a book or listening to a song and visualizing the events described by them, because in that case you don’t use much of your physical eyes.

The obvious example of this kind of my favorite films is INDIA SONG. In this film we see some images which link to what the voiceovers say, but the images don’t correspond totally to what the voiceovers say. In some parts of the film, we hear the voiceovers describe a road trip to an island, but we see many characters sit still or stand still in a room for a very long time. In a scene, we see only the white face of Delphine Seyrig, but we hear the voiceover say something like “She saw a violet flower.” And that is one of the greatest moments of my film watching experience—my physical eyes see only a white female face, while my mental eye sees a violet flower.

THESE FILMS/PLAYS USE SPOKEN WORDS TO MAKE THE AUDIENCE VISUALIZE SOME IMAGES. WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE?

1.BLACKBIRD (2007, Sasithorn Panichnok, Thai play)
A part of this story concerns what happened many years ago between a young girl and a man. The audience never had a chance to see directly what happened. The audience had to visualize the whole event by listening to what the two characters told us. How vividly they described the event! While my physical eyes saw two adult characters talking in a room, my mental eye saw a young girl wander alone helplessly in a town, searching and crying for the man she loves.

2.DIRTY PICTURES (2007, John Smith, UK)
Watching this film, my physical eyes saw a hotel room, but my mental eye saw the suffering of some Palestinians.

3.DREAM WATCH FOR ANYONE WHO IS BELIEVED TO VIOLATE GOOD MORALITY (2007, Manussak Dokamai, Thailand)
In some parts of this short film, the audience see images of some buildings or landscapes being in and out of focus of a camera, while hearing Dome Sukwong talking about fruits and his dream.

4.EKLEIPSIS (1998, Tran T. Kim-Trang, USA)
Some Cambodian women described vividly their suffering under the Khmer Rouge. We never see the real events before our eyes, but their descriptions alone can make me feel very very sad. I saw this film at Conference of Birds Gallery.

5.EMERALD (2007, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Thailand)
In this film the audience sees an empty room with particles of something floating in the air, while hearing some characters describe their lives and their dreams.

6.INDIA SONG (1975, Marguerite Duras, France)

7.LUDWIG’S COOK (1973, Hans-Juergen Syberberg, West Germany)

8.LOVE AND DIANE (2002, Jennifer Dworkin, USA)

This is a documentary about problems in a family, but the director of this film was not present when there was a big quarrel in the family. Thus, the audience never has a chance to see or hear that quarrel directly, but the audience can listen to the description of that quarrel.

9.MAGIC WATER (2001, Panu Aree, Thailand)

10.MELO (1986, Alain Resnais, France)
You can read Jonathan Rosenbaum’s review of this film here:
http://www.jonathanrosenbaum.com/?p=7690

11.MUSIC BOX (1989, Costa-Gavras, USA)
There’s a courtroom scene in this film in which a woman described her being tortured during World War II. We never see directly the torture. We must visualize the torture by ourselves. But that is more than enough. The description of the torture alone is truly unforgettable. I already felt an extreme pain just listening to it.

12.MY DINNER WITH ANDRE (1981, Louis Malle, USA)

13.NOT A MATTER OF IF BUT WHEN (2007, Julia Meltzer + David Thorne, USA)
In one scene, the performer describes his dream in which different parts of his body are fighting each other. He describes it very vividly. I saw this film at Conference of Birds Gallery.

14.ROOM OF HORROR NO.2 (2007, Wattanachai Treedecha, Thai play)
A character in this play describes vividly how he killed some people.

15.A SHORT FILM ABOUT THE INDIO NACIONAL (2006, Raya Martin, Philippines)
The opening scene of this film concerns an allegory of Philippines told by a husband to his wife.

Oggs Cruz just wrote a review on NOW SHOWING (2008, Raya Martin) in his blog:
http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2008/05/now-showing-2008.html

16.TEN TINY LOVE STORIES (2001, Rodrigo Garcia, USA)

17.THIS CONSTRUCT CAN SERVE NO PURPOSE ANYMORE (2008, Sathit Sattarasart, Thailand)

18.A TOUGH CREATURE WHO BURDENS THE EARTH (2008, Paisit Panpruegsachat, Thailand)
In one scene, the protagonist describes vividly his dream for a long time, while the audience sees only a view under a bridge.

19.UNTITLED VIDEO ON LYNN STEWART AND HER CONVICTION, THE LAW AND POETRY (2006, Paul Chan, USA)

In this film, while Lynn Stewart is reciting some poems, the audience will see only some monochrome images. The monochrome images may be used to help the audience focus their minds on the words in the poems and thus they can visualize some images inspired by the poems more easily. I saw this film at Conference of Birds Gallery.

20.VAGINA MONOLOGUES (2007, Panpassa Thoobthien, Thai play)

You can cast multiple votes.

TO HEAR INAUDIBLE SOUND

While spoken words can make me see some invisible images, some silent objects can inspire me to imagine some non-existent sound. These silent objects include:

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

This film is silent, but in some parts it gives me the hallucination that I can hear the sound of the sea coming from the film.

2.The ending of the film UNFINISHED SONG (2001, Maziar Miri, Iran, A+)
This film is not silent, but at the end of this film, we see a woman start singing, but we never really hear her song. This is a very sad and touching ending.

3.WHEN THE MOVIE LISTENS (2007, Tulapop Saenjaroen, Thailand, short film, A+)
This film lets the viewers talk to the character in the film, while the character seems to listen to us. However, I didn’t dare to make any noises while watching this film in a theater, but in my mind I could imagine what I would like to talk to the character.

4.FORGET (2007, Suchada Sirithanawuddhi, Thailand, video installation)

We see a woman talk and a woman listen in this video, but we never really hear what she says. We must imagine it by ourselves.

5.FADING (2006, Anne-Lise Boyer + Nicolas Comment, textile)

I saw it in the exhibition METISSAGES (2007). This work of art is an homage to the author Roger Vailland. It is an old radio decorated with some textile. It looks spooky. I feel as if you can hear something from the Twilight Zone from this radio. I think this piece of work should be given as a freebie with the DVD of ERASERHEAD.

6.THEY RETURN TO YOU IN SONG (2001, Darren Sylvester, Australia, photo)
http://www.moragalleries.com.au/byartist.html

7.LUK TUNG: THAI FOLK LIFE (2008, Naruemon Padsamran, sculpture)

RESULT OF POLL 20

My twentieth poll ended with four votes, including one vote from me for LIFE IS SHORT 2, OBABA, 1/3 OF THE EYES, SIDA: SRI RAM?, TAKE THE 5:10 TO DREAMLAND, VIDEO 50, and WELCOME TO NOTHING. I like this kind of films very much. That’s why I vote for many of them. Thank you very much for everyone who participated in it. Here is the result:

THESE GREAT FILMS/STAGE PLAYS HAVE BARELY CONNECTED STORIES. WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE?

1.THE PHANTOM OF LIBERTY (1974, Luis Bunuel, France)
+TAKE THE 5:10 TO DREAMLAND (1976, Bruce Conner, USA)

Each of them got 2 votes, or 50 %.

3.THE BURIED FOREST (2005, Kohei Oguri, Japan)
+ESCAPE FROM POPRAYA 2526 (2007, Paisit Panpruegsachat, Thailand)
+LIFE IS SHORT 2 (2006, Tossapol Boonsinsukh, Thailand)
+OBABA (2005, Montxo Armendariz, Spain)
+1/3 OF THE EYES (2004, Olivier Zabat, France)
+SIDA: SRI RAM? (2005, Pornrat Damrung, Thai play)
+VIDEO 50 (1978, Robert Wilson, West Germany)
+WELCOME TO NOTHING (2008, Nophand Boonyai, Thai play)

Each of them got 1 vote, or 25 %.

11.BUTTONERS (1997, Petr Zelenka, Czech)
+DAY OF THE FULL MOON (1998, Karen Shakhnazarov, Russia)
+FAME WHORE (1997, Jon Moritsugu, USA)
+FLUXES (1968, Arthur Lipsett, Canada)
+HOBBIT LOVE IS THE GREATEST LOVE (2007, Steve Reinke, USA)
+OUR WAVES (2006, Tulapop Saenjaroen, Thailand)
+POISON (1991, Todd Haynes, USA)
+THE POWER OF EMOTION (1983, Alexander Kluge, West Germany)
+SALAT (2004, John Torres, Philippines)
+SONGS FROM THE SECOND FLOOR (2000, Roy Andersson, Sweden)

Each of them got 0 vote.

–I just found out that UBU has one of my most favorite short films last year. It’s FIREMAN E. A. WINTERSTEIN (1968, Alexander Kluge, West Germany, A++++++++++). You can watch the film here:
http://www.ubu.com/film/kluge.html

The film is full of disconnected parts, and has no English subtitles. But I think you will surely be puzzled and never understand the film with or without the subtitles.

 

“RAISED FROM DUST” AS DVD

I just heard from Kevin Lee’s blog that RAISED FROM DUST will be released as a DVD. I haven’t seen this film, but Filmsick who saw it praised it a lot.

You can read the details about this DVD release at Kevin’s blog:
http://alsolikelife.com/shooting/

This is what Filmsick wrote about this film:

“This film is about a poor woman who has a sick husband staying in a hospital and a daughter who can’t pay tuition fees. What’s surprising is that the film contains no melodramatic scene. This is a low-budget film, full of static shots and stillness. The images seem to be transfixed by the empty atmosphere of rural China. Every scene is so natural, so life-like and so long that it can be a torture. The film is like a documentary without an ounce of sentimentality. We rarely see a close-up scene of the heroine. The story doesn’t seem to move forward. There is no music. Even in the climactic scene, we can only hear a sound of the wheels from her vehicle. This is not a kind of slow-but-deep films as Hou Hsiao-hsien’s, nor a kind of slow-bittter-humorous films as Tsai Ming-liang’s. But this is a film of stillness and silence which is extremely hurtful and powerful.”

 

THINGS EXPERIENCED IN FEB 2008 (PART 2)

THINGS EXPERIENCED IN FEB 2008 (PART 2)

Part 1 is here:
http://celinejulie.blogspot.com/2008/05/things-experienced-in-feb-2008.html

E.EXHIBITIONS

1.PARADISE ENGINEERING (A+)
http://www.car.chula.ac.th/art/past/024_paradise-engineering.html
Curated by Chattiya Nitpolprasert

1.1 WANTANEE RETROSPECTIVE ENCORE (2008, Wantanee Siripattananantakul, installation + video art, A+++++++++++++++)

1.2 RIDDLE OF INNOCENCE (1999, Suporn Shoosongdej, 14 min, video, A+)

1.3 DEJAWU (2008, Nipan Oranniwesna, installation, A+)

1.4 THAI PEOPLE, THAI NATION, BEING A GOOD THAI (2007, Prateep Suthathongthai, video art, A)

1.5 BEING SOLDIER BETTER THAN YOU THOUGHT, RICE FIELD FROM RIPE PROJECT (2008, Sakarin Krue-on, installation + internet broadcasting video, A)

1.6 Paintings and installation by Ing K.

2.UNDERLYING (A+)
This is a group exhibition at Tadu Gallery. It is curated by Penwadee Nophaket Manont (Thailand), Vollak Kong (Cambodia), Misouda Heuangsoukkhoun (Laos), and Le Ngoc Thanh (Vietnam).

There are four video installations in the exhibition:

2.1 THE CHEST TO BEQUEATH (2007, Ly Hoang Ly, Vietnam, A+++++)

2.2 FORGET (2007, Suchada Sirithanawuddhi, Thailand, A+/A)

2.3 UNKNOWN WOMEN (2005, Nguyen Quang Huy, Vietnam, A)

2.4 OBSERVATION OF THE MONK (2008, Pramote Sangsorn, Thailand, A)

Other artists participating include:

2.5 Seckon Leang (Cambodia)
2.6 Sodavy Suos (Cambodia)
2.7 Sopheap Pich (Cambodia, A+)
2.8 Rattana Vandy (Cambodia)
2.9 Vannara Soeung (Cambodia, A+)

2.10 Kongphat Luangrath (Laos)
2.11 Marisa Darasavath (Laos)
2.12 Mick Saylom (Laos)
2.13 Mongkham Bualavanh (Laos, A+)
2.14 Viengsay Phounsana (Laos)

2.15 Bancha Suriyaburaphakul (Thailand, A+)
2.16 Nupat Arjkla (Thailand)
2.17 Pim Sudhikham (Thailand)

2.18 Bui The Trung Nam (Vietnam)
2.19 Ly Tran Quynh Giang (Vietnam, A+)
2.20 Nguyen Manh Hung (Vietnam, A+)

3.ARTSPACE GERMANY (A+++++)

(in alphabetical order of the artists’ names)

3.1 FLAG 9-4-85 (1985, Armando, A+)

3.2 UNTITLED (1984, Armando)

3.3 WALDIG 4-10-84 (1984, Armando)

3.4 FLOTSAM (1997, Tony Cragg, sculpture, A+)

3.5 MORE & MORE & MORE (1981, Tony Cragg, wooden elements, A+)

3.6 UNTITLED (1997, Tony Cragg)

3.7 TERRE PROVENCALE (1991, Herman de vries)

3.8 2 TAGE UNTER DER WEISSDORNHECKE (1992, Herman de vries, A+)

3.9 YOUR TIME, MY WORLD (1998, Marianne Eigenheer)

3.10 HERE AND THERE (1989, Ayse Erkmen,16-part sculpture, A+)

3.11 VOLKSBOUTIQUE OFFICIAL TEMPLATE (1999, Christine Hill, interactive space)

3.12 ATLANTIC WALL (1995, Magdalena Jetelova, A+)

3.13 UNTITLED (Per Kirkeby)

3.14 ONE AND THREE PANS (1965, Joseph Kosuth, A+)

3.15 Q&A/F!D! (1987, Joseph Kosuth)

3.16 BATEAU DE FEU (1996, Marie-Jo Lafontaine, A+)

3.17 EVERY ANGEL IS TERRIFYING (1991/1992, Marie-Jo Lafontaine, A+)

3.18 HOMME CAGOULE PORTANT LE FEU (1996, Marie-Jo Lafontaine, A+)

3.19 CANDLE TV (1985, Nam Jun Paik, A+++++)

3.20 INTERNET DWELLERS:jswg.dreizehn.xulf (1997, Nam Jun Paik, Germany, 7 min, A+)

3.21 CERCHIO SPEZZATO (Guiseppe Spagnulo, sculpture)

3.22 UNTITLED (Giuseppe Spagnulo)

4.OUR LADY OF THE LOW COUNTRIES (A+)
Photos and video by Michael Shaowanasai

5.A SEASON IN REFUGE: NOMADIC MONUMENTS (Joshua Harris, A+)

6.SPIRITUAL SPACES (South East Asian paintings)
Curated by Shireen Naziree
http://www.thavibu.com/special/spiritual_spaces.htm

I like two paintings in this exhibition very much. They are

6.1 OH, MY GOD (Dinh Quan, Vietnam)

6.2 BELIEF (MARILYN MONROE) (Jirapat Tatsanasomboon, Thailand)
http://www.thavibu.com/vietnam/dinh_quan/VIE278.htm

Other artists participating include:

6.3 Aung Kyaw Htet (Myanmar)

6.4 Myoe Win Aung (Myanmar)

6.5 Nyein Chan Su (Myanmar)

6.6 U Lun Gywe (Myanmar)

6.7 Kritsana Chaikitwattana (Thailand)

6.8 Santi Thongsuk (Thailand)

6.9 Therdkiat Wangwatcharakul (Thailand)

6.10 Hong Viet Dung (Vietnam)

6.11 Nguyen Trung (Vietnam)

6.12 Trinh Tuan (Vietnam)

7.PRASONG LUEMUANG 2007
Paintings

8.INDIVIDUAL PLUS EXHIBITION AT SILOM GALLERIA

I like the paintings by Randis Albion in this exhibition very much. His website is at:
http://www.deeperthanwords.com/

This is the painting DINNERTIME by Randis Albion:
http://www.deeperthanwords.com/CMINE/albums/userpics/10001/dinner.jpg

9.AND…WE BELONG TOGETHER
This is a group exhibition at Hof Art Gallery.
http://www.hof-art.net/eng/file/event_detail.php?id=51

I like the works of Pornpan Kiatpakpoom, Dadalin Nimsomboon, and Sitthiporn Thongnopnua in this exhibition very much. I also saw a painting called GRANDPA’S KITCHEN (Pitchanan Janyapaiboonlarp) in the gallery and like it a lot, but I’m not sure if Pitchanan’s work is a part of this exhibition or not.

10.THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY (David Ben Ami, paintings)

11.ORNAMENT SHOW AT SILPAKORN UNIVERSITY
I like the work called BEU (BORED) by Teerapol Kedtakomol in this exhibition very much. It is in the shape of a hand, and it reminds me of Jean Cocteau.

12.THE VOICE OF SEASONS (Anupan Pruekpankajee, paintings)

DERELICT ART?: VICHAYA MUKDAMANEE, PREECHA NUALNIM, PORNPAN KIATPARKPOOM

Merveillesxx just told me about a new show at VER GALLERY called ALL OUR EVERYDAYS. You can read about it from:
http://www.verver.info/show8.html

————————————

This is my comment in Merveillesxx’s blog concerning Vichaya Mukdamanee’s art exhibition:
http://www.bloggang.com/viewdiary.php?id=merveillesxx&month=05-2008&group=9&date=25&gblog=79

I like this kind of art works very much. It reminds me of the art works in LIFE AND CEMETERY AFTER THE DEATH (2008, Preecha Nualnim) and the art works of Pornpan Kiatparkpoom. Their works seem to concern derelict things, and make something inherently ugly into something very beautiful and touching (in my personal point of view).

Pornpan Kiatpakpoom’s website:
http://pinatho.multiply.com/

Vichaya Mukdamanee’s website:
http://www.winmukdamanee.com/

 

17 MAY MY VALENTINE (Sawanee Uthumma, A++++++++++)

This week is full of many great stage plays. I just went to see 6 stage plays on Friday and Saturday and they all got A+ from me.

1.17 MAY MY VALENTINE (Sawanee Uthumma, A++++++++++)

This is a political stage play about a woman who tries to commit suicide, but is stopped by Saint Valentine who asks her the reason why she wants to kill herself. She tells him about what happened on May 17, 1992, in Bangkok. On that day, she, whose name is “Thai”, met an old woman called “Rad” (People), who lost her two sons on October 14, 1973, and on October 6, 1976.

Sawanee Uthumma delivers a powerful performance, shifting seamlessly between many characters. Her song is very touching. I think the ending of the play feels a little bit “unresolved”, but that of course corresponds to the unresolved political problems of Thailand. This kind of ending also reminds me of the ending of RECYCLE (2008, Pichet Klunchun, A++++++++++), which may corresponds to the unresolved problem of global warming.

This play is at Makhampom Studio. You can see the details from the link below:
http://www.makhampom.net/studio/17_may_my_valentine.html

2.THE M PROJECT (Bangkok Troupers, A+++)

2.1 MIME (Suwat Suwandechochai, A)

2.2 CREATIVE MOVEMENT (Silpakorn Kongsakul, A+++)

2.3 BUTOH (Archawit Kritsanasuwan, A+++++)
I don’t understand this performance, but I think it is very powerful and haunting.

The performance schedule is at
http://kenzoflower.hi5.com/

3.A BOX OF CHOCOLATE (Jaturachai Srichanwanpen, A++++++++++)

I’m very impressed with the natural performances and the ending which has no emotional fakery.

4.ALT + CTRL + DEL (Ninart Boonpothong, A++++++++++)

After the play ended, it took a while for me before I could “imagine” what was left out from the stories in the play. This play uses “ellipsis”. There are some events which the play doesn’t tell directly, but the audience have to imagine them by themselves. I like this kind of storytelling very much. It’s hard for me to decide which one I prefer between A BOX OF CHOCOLATE, which touches my heart, and ALT + CTRL + DEL, which touches my brain. It’s as difficult as choosing between Eric Rohmer and Jean-Luc Godard.

SPOILERS ALERT: I imagine that the stories in ALT + CTRL + DEL concerns a young girl who is afraid of being blackmailed by a lesbian photographer, a female political club leader in a university who knows about the erotic video clip of a couple in the political club, and a boy who releases the erotic video clip portraying him and a famous actor.

5.THE STORY OF 3 YEARS (Saifar Tanthana, A++++)

Saifar Tanthana still creates a play which has very interesting female character and great moments of awkwardness between characters. Having seen four of his plays (including the one in the director’s lab), I think he is a real auteur, if this word can be applied to a stage play director.

6.TO REFORM (Wattanachai Treedecha, A+)

Is this play about rapists or actually about the political problems of Thailand?

The schedules of the play 3, 4, 5, 6 can be found below:

“Naked Masks Theatre proudly presents 4 short plays about “dilemma” in “Naked Masks Short Play Festival” with 4 old and new face directors with veteran and rookie casting

The festival is from May 23rd – June 1st

At Pridi Banomyong Institute

Sukhumvit 55 (Soi Thonglhor)

From 7 pm in May 23rd and 30th
and 4 pm and 7 pm in May 24th, 25th and 31st and June 1st
(Q&A session with directors and actors in May 24th and 31st at 4 pm)

Ticket Price

70 Baht each

200 Baht for All

For more information please contact

085-503-4525, 086-722-1435, nakedmaskstheatre@gmail.com