2007 Bangkok International Film Festival
Encyclopedia
The 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival was held from July 19 to July 29, 2007, at SF Group's SF World Cinema at CentralWorld
. The fifth consecutive year for the festival, organizers planned a program of about 100 films, with an emphasis on Asian cinema
.
.
In addition, the film festival organization was hit with a massive budget cut, from 180 million baht
to 60 million baht, which resulted in festival organizers, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, having to break their contract with Los Angeles-based Film Festival Management, which had programmed the festival since 2004.
In previous years, the festival's focus had been on big-budget Hollywood films and lavish, red-carpet appearances by celebrities, flown to Bangkok at the festival's expense. With the budget cut and the focus on Asian films, the 2007 festival was expected to be a departure from past years.
would open the festival. The film is an adaptation of a graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi
(who co-directed the film), telling the story of her childhood growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. However, the Embassy of Iran
asked the festival organizers to consider showing another film from Iran, so Persepolis was dropped from the program. The festival director, Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, was quoted as saying:
However, Chattan also said that the decision to cancel the film was his alone and that "there was no outside pressure".
The Hungarian film
, Children of Glory
, depicting the "Blood in the Water
" Olympic water polo match and the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, was chosen as the replacement opening film.
and a tribute to Indian actress Hema Malini
. Malini was among the celebrities taking part in the festival's opening night festivities.
The main competition categories for the Golden Kinaree were for international films and ASEAN
films from Southeast Asia
, as well as an international short-film competition. Non-competition sections were for Thai Panorama (Thai films
released in 2006 and 2007) Asian films, ASEAN films, documentaries and the wide-ranging Windows on the World.
The closing film was Muay Thai Chaiya
, a Thai boxing
drama film directed by Kongkiat Khomsiri
.
in the World Ballroom in the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre
at CentralWorld
.
CentralWorld
CentralWorld is a shopping plaza and complex in Bangkok, Thailand. It is the third largest shopping complex in the world. The complex, which includes a hotel and office tower, is owned by Central Pattana...
. The fifth consecutive year for the festival, organizers planned a program of about 100 films, with an emphasis on Asian cinema
Asian cinema
Asian cinema refers to the film industries and films produced in the continent of Asia, and is also sometimes known as Eastern cinema. More commonly however, it is used to refer to the cinema of Eastern, Southeastern and Southern Asia. West Asian cinema is sometimes classified as part of Middle...
.
Scheduling, budgetary difficulties
Originally scheduled for January 26 to February 5, the festival was postponed because of a lack of available venues, since Bangkok cinemas at the time had planned to be fully booked with screenings of the part one of The Legend of King NaresuanKing Naresuan (film)
The Legend of King Naresuan is a Thai biographical historical drama film about King Naresuan the Great, who ruled Siam from 1590 until his death in 1605....
.
In addition, the film festival organization was hit with a massive budget cut, from 180 million baht
Thai baht
The baht is the currency of Thailand. It is subdivided into 100 satang . The issuance of currency is the responsibility of the Bank of Thailand.-History:The baht, like the pound, originated from a traditional unit of mass...
to 60 million baht, which resulted in festival organizers, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, having to break their contract with Los Angeles-based Film Festival Management, which had programmed the festival since 2004.
In previous years, the festival's focus had been on big-budget Hollywood films and lavish, red-carpet appearances by celebrities, flown to Bangkok at the festival's expense. With the budget cut and the focus on Asian films, the 2007 festival was expected to be a departure from past years.
Controversy
The festival initially announced that the French-produced animated feature PersepolisPersepolis (film)
Persepolis is a 2007 French animated film based on Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel of the same name. The film was written and directed by Satrapi with Vincent Paronnaud. The story follows a young girl as she comes of age against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution. The story...
would open the festival. The film is an adaptation of a graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi
Marjane Satrapi
Marjane Satrapi is an Iranian-born French contemporary graphic novelist, illustrator, animated film director, and children's book author...
(who co-directed the film), telling the story of her childhood growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. However, the Embassy of Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
asked the festival organizers to consider showing another film from Iran, so Persepolis was dropped from the program. The festival director, Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, was quoted as saying:
I was invited by the Iranian embassy to discuss the matter and we both came to mutual agreement that it would be beneficial to both countries if the film was not shown. It's a good film, but there are other considerations.
We had a request from the Iranian Embassy that the film festival remove the film, and we did. Now we move on.
However, Chattan also said that the decision to cancel the film was his alone and that "there was no outside pressure".
The Hungarian film
Cinema of Hungary
Hungary has had a notable cinema industry from the beginning of the 20th century, with Hungarians who affected the world of motion picture both inside and outside the borders...
, Children of Glory
Children of Glory
-Synopsis:Children of Glory commemorates Hungary's Revolution of 1956 and the Blood in the Water match. Taking place in Budapest and at the Melbourne Olympic Games in October and November of that year, the film takes viewers into the passion and sadness of one of the most dramatic popular revolts...
, depicting the "Blood in the Water
Blood In The Water match
The "Blood in the Water" match was a water polo match between Hungary and the USSR at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. The match, which took place on December 6, 1956, was against the background of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and saw Hungary defeat the USSR 4–0...
" Olympic water polo match and the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, was chosen as the replacement opening film.
Program highlights
The festival's lineup featured a retrospective of films by Spanish director Luis BuñuelLuis Buñuel
Luis Buñuel Portolés was a Spanish-born filmmaker — later a naturalized citizen of Mexico — who worked in Spain, Mexico, France and the US..-Early years:...
and a tribute to Indian actress Hema Malini
Hema Malini
Hema Malini is an Indian actress, director and producer, as well as a Bharatanatyam dancer-choreographer. Making her acting debut in Sapno Ka Saudagar , she went on to appear in numerous Bollywood films, most notably those with actor and future-husband Dharmendra. She was initially promoted as...
. Malini was among the celebrities taking part in the festival's opening night festivities.
The main competition categories for the Golden Kinaree were for international films and ASEAN
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, commonly abbreviated ASEAN rarely ), is a geo-political and economic organization of ten countries located in Southeast Asia, which was formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Since then, membership has...
films from Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
, as well as an international short-film competition. Non-competition sections were for Thai Panorama (Thai films
Cinema of Thailand
The cinema of Thailand dates back to the early days of filmmaking, when King Chulalongkorn's 1897 visit to Bern, Switzerland was recorded by Francois-Henri Lavancy-Clarke. The film was then brought to Bangkok, where it was exhibited...
released in 2006 and 2007) Asian films, ASEAN films, documentaries and the wide-ranging Windows on the World.
The closing film was Muay Thai Chaiya
Muay Thai Chaiya
Muay Thai Chaiya or Chaiya is a 2007 Thai drama film about two talented muay Thai boxers, boyhood friends whose lives take divergent paths after they arrive in Bangkok...
, a Thai boxing
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese kickboxing systems, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and muay Lao from Laos...
drama film directed by Kongkiat Khomsiri
Kongkiat Khomsiri
-Film career:He graduated from the Faculty of Mass Communications at Bangkok University and started his career as a crew member on Mysterious Object at Noon, the first feature film by Apichatpong Weerasethakul...
.
Competition
Competition trophies were given out in an awards banquet presided over by Princess Ubol RatanaUbol Ratana
Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi , or Ubolratana in brief , is a princess of Thailand and the eldest child of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Regent Sirikit...
in the World Ballroom in the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre
Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre
Centara Grand Hotel is a skyscraper located in Pathum Wan district, Bangkok, Thailand. The building houses a hotel that is part of the Central Group's Centara Hotels and Resorts.-Structure:...
at CentralWorld
CentralWorld
CentralWorld is a shopping plaza and complex in Bangkok, Thailand. It is the third largest shopping complex in the world. The complex, which includes a hotel and office tower, is owned by Central Pattana...
.
Golden Kinaree Awards
- Winner: XXYXXY (film)XXY is a 2007 Argentine film written and directed by Lucía Puenzo. The film stars Ricardo Darín, Valeria Bertuccelli, Inés Efron and Martín Piroyansky...
, directed by Lucía PuenzoLucía PuenzoLucía Puenzo in Buenos Aires) is an Argentinian author and film director. She is the daughter of Luis Puenzo.She studied literature at the University of Buenos Aires followed by the National Film Institute ....
(ArgentinaCinema of ArgentinaThe cinema of Argentina has a tradition dating back to the late nineteenth century, and continues to play a role in the culture of Argentina....
) - Special jury award: Lost in BeijingLost in BeijingLost in Beijing is a 2007 Chinese film directed by Li Yu and starring Tony Leung Ka-fai, Fan Bingbing, Tong Dawei, and Elaine Jin. It had its international premiere at the 2007 Berlin International Film Festival on February 16, 2007...
, directed by Li YuLi Yu (director)Li Yu is a female Chinese film director and screenwriter. Li began her career in entertainment at a young age, serving as a presenter at a local TV station...
(ChinaCinema of ChinaThe Chinese-language cinema has three distinct historical threads: Cinema of Hong Kong, Cinema of China, and Cinema of Taiwan. Since 1949 the cinema of mainland China has operated under restrictions imposed by the Communist Party of China's State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television and...
)- BeaufortBeaufort (film)Beaufort is a 2007 Israeli war film. The film was directed by Joseph Cedar and was co-written by Cedar and Ron Leshem, based on Leshem's If there's a Heaven...
, directed by Joseph CedarJoseph CedarYossef Cedar is an Israeli film director and screenwriter. He has won a Silver Bear and an Ophir Award for Best Director, and an Ophir Award for writing a Best Screenplay. He also won the best screenplay award at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. for his film Footnote .-Biography:Cedar was born in...
(IsraelCinema of IsraelCinema of Israel refers to movie production in Israel since its founding in 1948. Most Israeli films are produced in Hebrew. Israel has been nominated for more Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film than any other country in the Middle East....
) - Getting HomeGetting HomeGetting Home is a 2007 Chinese comedy/drama film directed by Zhang Yang and starring Chinese comedian Zhao Benshan. The film is episodic in nature and follows two workers in their 50's, Zhao and Liu...
, directed by Zhang Yang (ChinaCinema of ChinaThe Chinese-language cinema has three distinct historical threads: Cinema of Hong Kong, Cinema of China, and Cinema of Taiwan. Since 1949 the cinema of mainland China has operated under restrictions imposed by the Communist Party of China's State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television and...
/Hong KongCinema of Hong KongThe cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan...
) - PloyPloyPloy is a 2007 Thai film written and directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. The film premiered during the Directors' Fortnight at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival....
(uncensored version), directed by Pen-ek RatanaruangPen-Ek RatanaruangPen-Ek Ratanaruang is a Thai film director and screenwriter. He is best known for his arthouse work, Last Life in the Universe, and is considered to be one of Thai cinema's leading "new wave" auteurs, alongside Wisit Sasanatieng and Apichatpong Weerasethakul...
(ThailandCinema of ThailandThe cinema of Thailand dates back to the early days of filmmaking, when King Chulalongkorn's 1897 visit to Bern, Switzerland was recorded by Francois-Henri Lavancy-Clarke. The film was then brought to Bangkok, where it was exhibited...
) - Sankara, directed by Prasanna JayakodyPrasanna JayakodyPrasanna Jayakody is a budding Sri Lankan film director. His debut film Sankara , won The Special Jury Prize The Silver Pyramid at the Cairo International Film Festival 2006 and the Best Debut Director Award at the International Film Festival of Kerala 2006.Prasanna Jayakody was born in 1968 to an...
(Sri LankaCinema of Sri LankaSri Lankan cinema encompasses the films made in Sri Lanka. It is a fledgling industry that has struggled to find a footing since its inauguration in 1947 with Kadawunu Poronduwa produced by S.M.Nayagam of Chitra Kala Movietone.Sri Lankan films are usually made in the Sinhalese language, the...
) - Spider LiliesSpider Lilies (film)Spider Lilies is a 2007 Taiwanese lesbian drama film. It is the second feature-length film by director Zero Chou, and stars Rainie Yang and Isabella Leong in the lead roles. Spider Lilies was screened at the 2007 Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Teddy Award for best feature film...
, directed by Zero ChouZero Chou-Life:Chou was born in Keelung, Taiwan in 1969. She earned a B.A. in Philosophy from National Chengchi University in 1992. She worked as a journalist before becoming an indie film director....
(TaiwanCinema of TaiwanThe history of Chinese-language cinema has three separate threads of development: Cinema of Hong Kong, Cinema of Mainland China and Cinema of Taiwan . Taiwanese cinema grew up outside of the Hong Kong mainstream and the censorship of the People's Republic of China.Taiwanese cinema is deeply rooted...
) - The Edge of HeavenThe Edge of Heaven (film)The Edge of Heaven is a 2007 Turkish-German-Italian drama film written and directed by Fatih Akın. The film won the Prix du scénario at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival...
, directed by Fatih AkinFatih AkinFatih Akın is a German film director, screenwriter and producer of Turkish descent.- Personal life :Akın was born in 1973 in Hamburg to parents of Turkish ethnicity...
(TurkeyCinema of TurkeyTurkish cinema is an important part of Turkish culture, and has flourished over the years, delivering entertainment to audiences in Turkey, expatriates across Europe, and in rare cases, the USA....
) - This Is EnglandThis Is England-Track listing:#"54-46 Was My Number" - Toots & The Maytals#"Come On Eileen" - Dexys Midnight Runners#"Tainted Love" - Soft Cell#"Underpass/Flares" - Movie Dialogue From This Is England#"Nicole " - Gravenhurst...
, directed by Shane MeadowsShane MeadowsShane Meadows is an English film director, screenwriter, occasional actor and BAFTA winner.-Background:Meadows grew up in the Westlands Road area of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. His father was a long distance lorry driver and his mother worked in a fish and chip shop...
(United KingdomCinema of the United KingdomThe United Kingdom has had a major influence on modern cinema. The first moving pictures developed on celluloid film were made in Hyde Park, London in 1889 by William Friese Greene, a British inventor, who patented the process in 1890. It is generally regarded that the British film industry...
)
- Beaufort
ASEAN competition
- Winner: Before We Fall in Love Again, directed by James LeeJames Lee (Malaysian film director)James Lee, is a film director from Malaysia. He was born Lee Thim Heng in 1973 in the city of Ipoh in Perak. He is one of the pioneers of the Malaysian Digital Film movement. His film The Beautiful Washing Machine won the Best Asean Feature Award and FIPRESCI Prize at the Bangkok International...
(MalaysiaCinema of MalaysiaThe cinema of Malaysia revolves around a small film industry that dates back to the 1930s. At present, Malaysia produces about 20 feature films annually, and between 300–400 television dramas and serials a year apart from the in-house productions by the individual television stations. Malaysia also...
)- AloneAlone (2007 film)Alone is a 2007 Thai horror film directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom, a duo whose debut film, Shutter, was a box-office smash in Thailand and other Asian countries. Alone stars Thai-German pop singer Marsha Wattanapanich in her first film role in 15 years.-Plot:Pim was born as...
, directed by Banjong PisanthanakunBanjong PisanthanakunBangjong Pisanthanakun is Thai filmmaker and screenwriter. With Parkpoom Wongpoom, he co-directed and co-wrote the hit 2004 Thai horror film, Shutter, and the 2007 horror film, Alone.-Education and early career:...
and Parkpoom WongpoomParkpoom WongpoomParkpoom Wongpoom is a Thai filmmaker and screenwriter. With Banjong Pisanthanakun, he co-directed and co-wrote the hit 2004 Thai horror film, Shutter, and the 2007 horror film, Alone.-Education and early career:...
(ThailandCinema of ThailandThe cinema of Thailand dates back to the early days of filmmaking, when King Chulalongkorn's 1897 visit to Bern, Switzerland was recorded by Francois-Henri Lavancy-Clarke. The film was then brought to Bangkok, where it was exhibited...
) - Bangkok Time, directed by Santi Taepanich (ThailandCinema of ThailandThe cinema of Thailand dates back to the early days of filmmaking, when King Chulalongkorn's 1897 visit to Bern, Switzerland was recorded by Francois-Henri Lavancy-Clarke. The film was then brought to Bangkok, where it was exhibited...
) - Dancing Bells, directed by Deepak Kumaran Menon (MalaysiaCinema of MalaysiaThe cinema of Malaysia revolves around a small film industry that dates back to the 1930s. At present, Malaysia produces about 20 feature films annually, and between 300–400 television dramas and serials a year apart from the in-house productions by the individual television stations. Malaysia also...
) - KoperKoper (film)Koper is a 2006 Indonesian film directed by Richard Oh, and starring Anjasmara, Maya Hasan, and Djenar Maesa Ayu.-Plot:Yahya , a working-class clerk employed in a government-run archives office, found a suitcase on a roadside that is purported to contain stolen cash from a bank...
(The Lost Suitcase), directed by Richard Oh (IndonesiaCinema of IndonesiaThough the cinema of Indonesia has a long history, the industry is currently struggling and developing.-Colonial era:The first film made in Indonesia was the 1926 silent film, Loetoeng Kasaroeng, by Dutch directors G. Kruger and L. Heuveldorp...
) - Love for ShareLove for ShareLove for Share is a 2006 Indonesian film directed byNia Di Nata. It was sent to the 79th Academy Awards as Indonesia's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film, but was not nominated....
, directed by Nia DinataNia DinataNurkurniati Aisyah Dewi , better known as Nia Dinata, is an award-winning Indonesian film director...
(IndonesiaCinema of IndonesiaThough the cinema of Indonesia has a long history, the industry is currently struggling and developing.-Colonial era:The first film made in Indonesia was the 1926 silent film, Loetoeng Kasaroeng, by Dutch directors G. Kruger and L. Heuveldorp...
) - Manoro, directed by Brillante MendozaBrillante MendozaBrillante Mendoza is a Filipino film director. He has directed nine films since 2005. He won the award for Best Director for his film Kinatay at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival...
(PhilippinesCinema of the PhilippinesCinema of the Philippines started with the introduction of the first moving pictures to the country on January 1, 1897 at the Salón de Pertierra in Manila. The following year, local scenes were shot on film for the first time by a Spaniard, Antonio Ramos, using the Lumiere Cinematograph...
) - Pao’s Story, directed by Quang Hai Ngo (VietnamCinema of VietnamThe cinema of Vietnam originates in the 1920s, and has largely been shaped by wars that have been fought in the country from the 1940s to the 1970s. Better known Vietnamese language films include Cyclo, The Scent of Green Papaya and Vertical Ray of the Sun, all by French-trained Việt Kiều director...
) - The Bet Collector, directed by Jeffrey Jeturian (PhilippinesCinema of the PhilippinesCinema of the Philippines started with the introduction of the first moving pictures to the country on January 1, 1897 at the Salón de Pertierra in Manila. The following year, local scenes were shot on film for the first time by a Spaniard, Antonio Ramos, using the Lumiere Cinematograph...
) - The UnseeableThe UnseeableThe Unseeable is a 2006 Thai horror film directed by Wisit Sasanatieng. The first film of another writer's screenplay by the director, the writer is Kongkiat Khomsiri, one of the "Ronin Team" credited with directing the 2005 Thai horror film Art of the Devil 2.-Plot:Set in 1934 Siam, the story...
, directed by Wisit SasanatiengWisit SasanatiengWisit Sasanatieng is a Thai film director and screenwriter of Chinese descent...
(ThailandCinema of ThailandThe cinema of Thailand dates back to the early days of filmmaking, when King Chulalongkorn's 1897 visit to Bern, Switzerland was recorded by Francois-Henri Lavancy-Clarke. The film was then brought to Bangkok, where it was exhibited...
)
- Alone
Jameson International Short Films Award
- Winner: Eternally Yours, directed by Atsushi OgataAtsushi Ogatais a Japanese film director, scriptwriter, video artist and actor. Born in Japan and partly raised in the United States, Ogata has worked in Holland, Germany, Japan, and in the USA. He is a graduate of Harvard College and the Center for Advanced Visual Studies of the Massachusetts Institute of...
(JapanCinema of JapanThe has a history that spans more than 100 years. Japan has one of the oldest and largest film industries in the world – as of 2009 the fourth largest by number of feature films produced. Movies have been produced in Japan since 1897, when the first foreign cameramen arrived...
)