The movie, which just hit US screens this month, received a rave from AO Scott, The Times' movie critic, who described the colourful gun-slinging farce as "entirely divine". For your info, the movie fared only moderately well when it was released in Thailand.

Although the movie debuted at Cannes Film Festival in 2001, "Tears of the Black Tiger" just reached American screens this month. With a limited release, the movie is unlikely to be a blockbuster hit.

However, this unlikely cowboy tale made an impression on American critics as another artistic Thai masterpiece.

From the early 2000s, Thai movies have made their presence felt on the international market with the release of such movies like "Tears of the Black Tiger" and Apichatpong Weerasetthakul's experimental "Tropical Malady".

Thai horror flicks have also managed to sell well in other countries, especially Europe. "Shutter" and "Art of The Devil" hit the jackpot on the international market. Hollywood film producers bought "The Eye" to remake in an American version.

This is despite the fact that Thai comedy normally struggles in the international market because of the differences in culture.

Although Thai film has somewhat lost its flair among international critics, the cinematic art has enjoyed another golden period with fine domestic hits over the past few years.

This week, Thai movie fans will be treated to the release of the epic feature film "Narasuan", based on the life of the warrior king in the Ayutthaya period. With the highest budget ever of Bt700 million, the producers hope that the film will become the biggest hit in Thai history.

However, the movie has already been challenged by historians who criticised some details of the movie as inaccurate. For instance, the word "Siam" mentioned by movie characters did not exist during King Naresuan's reign, while others questioned the warrior's costume as too Westernised: more Richard the Lionheart than Thai monarch.

But, after all, the real intent of the movie is to restore national pride to the country amidst this difficult period, and it is not to be treated as strictly historical fact.

"Naresuan" is just a movie. Hollywood epics get by despite being historically inaccurate.  

Although the producers aim to connect with the local audience, they naturally hope that "Naresuan", like its predecessor "Suriyothai", will sell well in the foreign market to recoup their huge investment.

Don't be surprised if foreign critics love the movie. No, I don't expect that the script will be so excellent but the battle scenes should be spectacular.

Why? Because like "Suriyothai", "Naresuan" still features scenes with armies of real soldiers charging around on the battlefield, while the soldiers in Hollywood epics like "Lord of the Rings" are just digitalised imps.

Jeerawat@nationgroup.com