Chatrichalerm Yukol
Encyclopedia
His Serene Highness Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol is a Thai film director
, screenwriter
and film producer
. A prolific director since the 1970s, among his films is the 2001 historical epic, The Legend of Suriyothai
. A member of the Thai royal family, his official royal title
is Mom Chao, or M.C., the most junior title still considered royalty. He is theoretically 19th in line for the Thai throne. He is widely known by his nickname, Than Mui. For Suriyothai as well as his 2007 historical epic, King Naresuan
, Chatrichalerm received the support of Queen Sirikit
.
Four of his films have been submitted by Thailand for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
: The Elephant Keeper, Song for Chao Phya, Daughter 2 and King of Fire
. In 1981, he was a member of the jury at the 31st Berlin International Film Festival
.
, a pioneering Thai filmmaker.
Chatrichalerm was sent to Australia
for schooling, and from there he went to UCLA, where he graduated with a degree in geology. His minor was film studies, and he shared classes with Francis Ford Coppola
and Roman Polanski
. He also worked as an assistant to director and producer Merian C. Cooper
. (Chatrichalerm's grandfather, Yugala Dighambara
, had helped King Kong
makers Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack
with the filming of Chang
in 1927.)
film.
He was among the first of a new wave of Thai directors to produce films reflecting changes in society. One of these film was his Khao Chue Karn (Dr. Karn), based on a well-known story by Suwannee Sukhontha. Released in the months leading up to the bloody pro-democracy student uprisings of 1973, Dr. Karn dared to address corruption in Thai society.
Even Chatrichalerm's status as a prince didn't rate when the authoritarian government's censor wanted to cut the film. Chatrichalerm personally showed the film to Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn
and was able to persuade the dictator to let the film be released uncut.
(Hotel Angel, 1974), teenage sex and delinquency (Daughter and Daughter 2), protecting the environment (The Elephant Keeper, 1987), or the evils of the drug trade (Powder Road, 1991). His films resist depicting any glamor, focusing on the poor, downtrodden working classes, such as Freedom of Taxi Driver (1984) or Song for Chao Phya and often with gritty action, such as Gunman
(1983), Salween
(1993), and The Colonel (1974).
Three of his films from this period were submitted by Thailand for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
: The Elephant Keeper, Song for Chao Phyaand Daughter 2.
, a lavish production about a 16th century Siamese queen, Suriyothai. For his production, he received the backing of Queen Sirikit
and the royal family. The film was at first conceived as being eight hours long. By the time it premiered in Thai cinemas, it was nearly three hours long. An even-more-condensed version was released in the United States
in 2003, edited and "presented by" Francis Ford Coppola
, a former classmate of Chatrichalerm's from UCLA.
After Suriyothai, Chatrichalerm started work on an even bigger project, King Naresuan
, about the 16th century Siamese monarch, Naresuan
. More epic in scope than Suriyothai, Naresuan was initially released in two parts in early 2007. Under the title King of Fire, the second part of the series was submitted by Thailand for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
. As of late 2007, a third part is scheduled to start production in early 2008.
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
and film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
. A prolific director since the 1970s, among his films is the 2001 historical epic, The Legend of Suriyothai
The Legend of Suriyothai
The Legend of Suriyothai is a 2001 Thai film directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol, telling the story of Queen Suriyothai, who died in a battle in 1548 against Burmese invaders...
. A member of the Thai royal family, his official royal title
Thai royal and noble titles
Thai royal and noble titles are the royal and noble styles signifying relationship to the King introduced by King Trailokanat, who reigned 1448 to 1488. The system is rooted in the Thai language equivalent of feudalism, .It is somewhat similar to that of peerage, but is complicated and usually not...
is Mom Chao, or M.C., the most junior title still considered royalty. He is theoretically 19th in line for the Thai throne. He is widely known by his nickname, Than Mui. For Suriyothai as well as his 2007 historical epic, King Naresuan
King 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....
, Chatrichalerm received the support of Queen Sirikit
Sirikit
Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat , is the queen consort of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand. She is the second Queen Regent of Thailand...
.
Four of his films have been submitted by Thailand for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
The Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film is one of the Academy Awards of Merit, popularly known as the Oscars, handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
: The Elephant Keeper, Song for Chao Phya, Daughter 2 and King of Fire
King 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 1981, he was a member of the jury at the 31st Berlin International Film Festival
31st Berlin International Film Festival
The 31st annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 13 to 24 February 1981.-Jury:* Jutta Brückner * Denis Héroux* Astrid Henning-Jensen* Irina Petrovna Kuptschenko* Peter Bichsel* Antonio Isasi-Isasmendi...
.
Early life
H.S.H Prince Chatrichalerm's parents, His Royal Highness Prince Anusornmongkolkarn Yukol and Mom Ubon Yukol Na Ayudhya Yukol were filmmakers and co-founders of the Lavo Pappayon Company. His uncle was Prince Bhanu YukolBhanu Yukol
General Major His Royal Highness Prince Bhanu Yukol was a Thai film director, producer and screenwriter, playwright, composer and author.He was a grandson of King Chulalongkorn, the grandfather of Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsavali Kitiyakara and an uncle of director Chatrichalerm Yukol...
, a pioneering Thai filmmaker.
Chatrichalerm was sent to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
for schooling, and from there he went to UCLA, where he graduated with a degree in geology. His minor was film studies, and he shared classes with Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. He is widely acclaimed as one of Hollywood's most innovative and influential film directors...
and Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski is a French-Polish film director, producer, writer and actor. Having made films in Poland, Britain, France and the USA, he is considered one of the few "truly international filmmakers."...
. He also worked as an assistant to director and producer Merian C. Cooper
Merian C. Cooper
Merian Caldwell Cooper was an American aviator, United States Air Force and Polish Air Force officer, adventurer, screenwriter, and film director and producer. His most famous film was the 1933 movie King Kong.-Early life:...
. (Chatrichalerm's grandfather, Yugala Dighambara
Yugala Dighambara
|align=right|HRH Prince Yugala Dighambara , Prince of Lopburi , was a son of HM King Chulalongkorn of Siam....
, had helped King Kong
King Kong
King Kong is a fictional character, a giant movie monster resembling a gorilla, that has appeared in several movies since 1933. These include the groundbreaking 1933 movie, the film remakes of 1976 and 2005, as well as various sequels of the first two films...
makers Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack
Ernest B. Schoedsack
Ernest Beaumont Schoedsack was an American motion picture cinematographer, director, and producer.Born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Schoedsack is probably best remembered for being the co-director of the 1933 film, King Kong....
with the filming of Chang
Chang (film)
Chang: A Drama of the Wilderness is a documentary film about a poor farmer in Issan and his daily struggle for survival in the jungle. The two directors of Chang, Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B...
in 1927.)
Early films
Though he's best known for his work on Suriyothai, Chatrichalerm's filmography stretches back to the 1970s. His first film, 1971's Out of the Darkness, was the first Thai science fictionScience fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
film.
He was among the first of a new wave of Thai directors to produce films reflecting changes in society. One of these film was his Khao Chue Karn (Dr. Karn), based on a well-known story by Suwannee Sukhontha. Released in the months leading up to the bloody pro-democracy student uprisings of 1973, Dr. Karn dared to address corruption in Thai society.
Even Chatrichalerm's status as a prince didn't rate when the authoritarian government's censor wanted to cut the film. Chatrichalerm personally showed the film to Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn
Thanom Kittikachorn
Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn was a military dictator of Thailand. A staunch anti-Communist, Thanom oversaw a decade of military rule in Thailand from 1963 to 1973, until public protests which exploded into violence forced him to step down...
and was able to persuade the dictator to let the film be released uncut.
Social message films
Most of Chatrichalerm's films have some kind of social message, such as the downside of prostitutionProstitution in Thailand
Prostitution in Thailand is illegal, although in practice it is tolerated and partly regulated. Prostitution is practised openly throughout the country. Local officials with commercial interests in prostitution often protect the practice. The precise number of prostitutes is difficult to assess;...
(Hotel Angel, 1974), teenage sex and delinquency (Daughter and Daughter 2), protecting the environment (The Elephant Keeper, 1987), or the evils of the drug trade (Powder Road, 1991). His films resist depicting any glamor, focusing on the poor, downtrodden working classes, such as Freedom of Taxi Driver (1984) or Song for Chao Phya and often with gritty action, such as Gunman
Gunman (film)
Gunman is a 1983 Thai crime film directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol and starring Sorapong Chatree as an amputee assassin.-Plot:As the opening credits roll, the scene is from the point of a man on a motorcycle at night...
(1983), Salween
Salween (film)
Salween is a 1994 Thai action-drama film directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol and starring Sorapong Chatree and Chatchai Plengpanich. Sombat Metanee's son, Siricoup Metanee, also stars as a young police lieutenant, newly arrived at a rough-and-tumble post in a Thai-Myanmar border town on the Salween...
(1993), and The Colonel (1974).
Three of his films from this period were submitted by Thailand for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
The Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film is one of the Academy Awards of Merit, popularly known as the Oscars, handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
: The Elephant Keeper, Song for Chao Phyaand Daughter 2.
Royal epics
Around 1999, Chatrichalerm embarked on the most ambitious film project of his career, The Legend of SuriyothaiThe Legend of Suriyothai
The Legend of Suriyothai is a 2001 Thai film directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol, telling the story of Queen Suriyothai, who died in a battle in 1548 against Burmese invaders...
, a lavish production about a 16th century Siamese queen, Suriyothai. For his production, he received the backing of Queen Sirikit
Sirikit
Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat , is the queen consort of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand. She is the second Queen Regent of Thailand...
and the royal family. The film was at first conceived as being eight hours long. By the time it premiered in Thai cinemas, it was nearly three hours long. An even-more-condensed version was released in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 2003, edited and "presented by" Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. He is widely acclaimed as one of Hollywood's most innovative and influential film directors...
, a former classmate of Chatrichalerm's from UCLA.
After Suriyothai, Chatrichalerm started work on an even bigger project, King Naresuan
King 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....
, about the 16th century Siamese monarch, Naresuan
Naresuan
Somdet Phra Naresuan Maharat or Somdet Phra Sanphet II was the King of the Ayutthaya kingdom from 1590 until his death in 1605. Naresuan was one of Siam's most revered monarchs as he was known for his campaigns to free Siam from Burmese rule...
. More epic in scope than Suriyothai, Naresuan was initially released in two parts in early 2007. Under the title King of Fire, the second part of the series was submitted by Thailand for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
The Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film is one of the Academy Awards of Merit, popularly known as the Oscars, handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
. As of late 2007, a third part is scheduled to start production in early 2008.
Awards
- 2001 - Thailand National ArtistThailand National ArtistThe National Artist is a title given annually by the Office of the National Culture Commission of Thailand, recognizing notable Thai artists in literature, fine arts, visual arts, applied arts and performing arts .Since 1985, the honors have been presented on...
Award for Performing Art (Movie and Drama) - 2004 - Lotus Award for Lifetime Achievement, World Film Festival of BangkokWorld Film Festival of BangkokThe World Film Festival of Bangkok is an annual international film festival held between October & November in Bangkok, Thailand.The 8th Annual World Film Festival of Bangkok will be held between 5 - 14 November, 2010.-History:...
- 2006 - Thailand National Film Awards Lifetime Achievement Award (not present for ceremony; award accepted by frequent collaborator, actor Sorapong ChatreeSorapong ChatreeSorapong Chatree is a Thai film actor. He has frequently starred in the films of Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol, as well as in Cherd Songsri's classic romance, Plae Kao....
).
Filmography
- Out of the DarknessOut of the Darkness (1971 film)Out of the Darkness is a 1971 Thai science fiction musical action drama film directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol, about an invasion by extraterrestrial beings in Thailand...
(Mun Ma Kub Kwam Mued) (1971) - Dr. Karn (Khao Chue Karn) (1973)
- The ColonelThe Colonel (1974 film)The Colonel is a 1974 Thai action-thriller film directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol.-Plot:The story follows the exploits of a Thai intelligence officer who must assume the identity of a slain lieutenant colonel in a neighboring country's military who was working as a double agent.-DVD:The film has...
(Pom Mai Yak Pen Pan To) (1974) - Hotel AngelHotel AngelHotel Angel is a 1974 Thai drama film directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol, about a young woman who becomes involved in the sex trade in Bangkok.-Plot:...
(Thep Thida Rong Raem) (1974) - Last Love (Kuam Rak Krang Suthai) (1975)
- The Violent Breed (Thewada Doen Din)
- Dangerous Modelling (1975)
- Angel Who Walks on the Ground (1976)
- Taxi Driver (Citizen I) (1977)
- Kama (1978)
- The Yellowing of the Sky (Before the Storm) (1980)
- If You Still Love (1982)
- GunmanGunman (film)Gunman is a 1983 Thai crime film directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol and starring Sorapong Chatree as an amputee assassin.-Plot:As the opening credits roll, the scene is from the point of a man on a motorcycle at night...
(Meu peun) (1983) - Detective, Section 123 (1984)
- Freedom of Taxi Driver (Citizen II) (1984)
- Somsee (1986)
- The Elephant Keeper (Khon Liang Chang) (1987)
- Song for Chao phraya (1990)
- Powder Road (Heroin) (1991)
- SalweenSalween (film)Salween is a 1994 Thai action-drama film directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol and starring Sorapong Chatree and Chatchai Plengpanich. Sombat Metanee's son, Siricoup Metanee, also stars as a young police lieutenant, newly arrived at a rough-and-tumble post in a Thai-Myanmar border town on the Salween...
(Gunman 2) (1993) - Daughter (Sia Dai) (1996)
- Daughter 2 (Sia Dai 2) (1997)
- Box (Klong) (1998)
- The Legend of SuriyothaiThe Legend of SuriyothaiThe Legend of Suriyothai is a 2001 Thai film directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol, telling the story of Queen Suriyothai, who died in a battle in 1548 against Burmese invaders...
(2001) - Last Love (remake) (2003)
- 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....
(2006)