Literary leanings

Published on October 12, 2007

In Hollywood, films adapted from best-selling novels or based on popular biographies are quite common. But in the Thai cinema scene, dominated by screenwriter-directors, book adaptations are relatively rare.

Before the New Wave resurgence of the late 1990s, classic Thai filmmakers like the late Cherd Songsri, MC Chatrichalerm Yukol and Euthana Mukdasanit routinely adapted films from Thai novels. Emphasising the links between literature and cinema, the World Film Festival of Bangkok is introducing a new programme this year, "From Books to Celluloid".

"It's quite common in Western films that are adapted from novels. But in today's Thai cinema, you hardly see such films. Indeed many Thai directors did that in the past. Among them is Euthana Mukdasanit who we will pay tribute to by presenting a 'Lotus' award for lifetime achievement," says Dusit Silakong, deputy director of the festival.

"From Books to Celluloid" will feature more than a dozen films that are inspired by or adapted from novels and poetry.

Euthana's acclaimed drama "Butterfly and Flowers" (1985) will be screened at 12.30pm on October 28, followed by a talk about his life and work. "Butterfly and Flowers" is adapted from the novel of the same title by writer Nipphan (Makut Oradee). Set in Muslim-majority southern Thailand, Nipphan's novel won the top award at the Thailand National Book Fair in 1978. The book has become required reading for secondary school children. To celebrate the book's 30th anniversary, Nipphan is expected to put in a rare public appearance at the festival, giving away commemorative T-shirts.

The festival will also present short films by writer Suchart Sawasdsri. "Personal Histories" is a series of 14 shorts that present the inspirations of his works and life. The 94-minute series portrays his own painting collection, visual arts, novels, video painting and his experimental films.

"Interestingly, Suchart's shorts features the creative process of a writer as well as his painting. Instead of penning or painting, Suchart conveys his personal history via digital camera. Like his books, his shorts are very poetic and a bit like conceptual art," Dusit says. All elements in his films represent the artist's personal interests - what books he's read, how he lives his life and how he was inspired to create his works. The films will be screened at 12.30pm on October 26.

Joining with ModerNine TV (Channel 9), the festival is holding a short-film contest, in which entrants are invited to interpret "Lok Nai Duangta Kapajao" ("The World Through My Eyes"), a poem by this year's SeaWrite Award winner, Montri Sriyong, the "Duck Noodle Poet".

"Montri himself once said that he has moving images in mind when he writes his poems," says Dusit. "To convince Thai students to read more, we think this contest will encourage our youths to create shorts based on this popular piece."

No matter how the contestants interpret it, at least they have to read the award-winning poem. The shorts are limited to about 10 to 15 minutes. The closing date for submissions is on October 27.

The public is invited to join the festival by submitting short films for a contest on the theme of "Father", in commemoration of His Majesty the King's 80th birthday. The winning films will be screened on MCOT 2 (UBC 27) in December.

"I hope kicking off this project will encourage Thai youths to read more. It will be a long-term project. Maybe we will have a lot more writers making interesting films. On the other hand we may see some filmmakers pen books," says Dusit.

The 5th World Film Festival of Bangkok takes place from October 25 to November 4 at The Esplanade on Rachadaphisek Road (MRT: Thailand Cultural Centre). Tickets are Bt100 and (Bt50 for students), available at the box office. For more information, see www.worldfilmbkk.com.

Phatarawadee Phataranawik