The 2004 Bangkok International Film Festival has announced its roster of more than 100 films culled from more than 40 countries for this year’s festival, to be held during January 22 – February 2. The Festival will also feature cultural events, conferences, industry workshops and lectures.
Another Golden Kinnaree will be awarded to the winner of a new program, ASEAN Panorama, featuring the best of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) cinema. A selection of films from ten countries – Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Indonesia and Malaysia – will be screened from January 24-28 and judged by members of FIPRESCI (International Association of Film Critics), who will present a Golden Kinnaree for the Best ASEAN Film. Films that will be competing in this category include “Birdman Tale” (Indonesia), “Eliana, Eliana” (Indonesia), “Room to Let” (Malaysia), “Homecoming” (Philippines), “The Last Virgin” (Philippines), “Magnifico” (Phillipines), “15” (Singapore), “My Girl” (Thailand), “King of the Garbage Dump” (Vietnam), “Let the Star Dance” (Indonesia), “Okay Baytong” (Thailand), “The Overture” (Thailand) and “Paloh” (Malaysia).
For audiences wishing to experience Thai filmmaking, the festival has created two separate programs. In the reality genre is a retrospective of Thai documentaries including “14 October” (1973), “Hara Factory Workers” (1976), “In the Fringe of the Society” (1981), “Chinatown Montage” (1982) and “Mysterious Object at Noon” (1999). The other new program, Thai Panorama, will allow attendees to see seven to eight of the most popular Thai films from the past year that have not been released internationally. Films that will be screened in this program will include “Beautiful Boxer,” “Fake,” “Macabre Case of Prompiram,” “Omen,” “One Night Husband” and “Pad Thai Story.”
Windows of the World will feature a collection of 75 international films from over 40 countries not screening in competition. This presentation will include world premieres and showcase various film genres and filmmaking styles from around the world to festival audiences. Films that will screen include “Calendar Girls” (UK) starring Helen Mirren and directed by Nigel Cole, “Travellers and Magicians” (Bhutan) directed by Khyentse Norbu, “God is Brazilian” (Brazil), directed by Carlos Diegues, “The Snow Walker” (Canada) directed by Charles Martin Smith, “The Nominee” (Chile) directed by Nacho Argiro, “The Dreamers” (Italy), directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, and “The Company” (USA/Germany) directed by Robert Altman.
Cinematographer’s Day will be held on January 29 and 30, 2004. The special program will include a tribute to renowned cinematographer Christopher Doyle and a screening of his films including “Hero,” “In the Mood For Love,” “Last Life in the Universe and Three.” Doyle will also be honored with a Crystal Lens Award at the Awards Gala. The event will also feature a presentation of “Brazil Through the Lens,” which will include highlights from the following films “Window of the Soul” (Cinematographer – Walter Carvalho); “Dogville” (Cinematographer – Anthony Dod Mantle); “God is Brazilian” (Cinematographer – Alfonso Beato); “Madame Sata” (Cinematographer – Walter Carvalho); “Carandiru” (Cinematographer – Walter Carvalho); “Topanga” (Cinematographer – Fredrick Goodich); “Warabinokou” (Cinematographer – Shoji Ueda).
The Festival will also host the Bangkok Film Market from January 27-29, 2004. The Market not only plays host as a traditional film sales market, but also will present the opportunities, financial benefits and technical expertise available in Thailand to the entertainment industry. Its mission is to provide a quality environment for the sales and marketing of global filmed entertainment, while offering producers and distributors an opportunity to explore film alliances and co-productions with Thai financiers and filmmakers. Currently more than 40 companies have committed to participate. Those confirmed at this year’s market include Alta, Artisan, Arclight, Atlas International, Beta Cinema, Blue Star Films, Capitol Films, Celestial Films, C-2 International, Fildebroc, Franchise, Golden Harvest, Grupo Novo de Cinema e TV, Horizon, H30 Filmed Entertainment, Icon, Intercontinental, Kathy Morgan International, Kinowelt, Madhu Entertainment, Magic Lantern, Media Luna, New Regency, Prophecy Entertainment, Razor Films, Sandstorm Films, ScanBox, Screen Gems, Spice Factory, Toei Company, and UGC International.
In addition to the films being screened, attendees will enjoy some of the Festival’s signature events, which will include a Jazz Concert with Regina Carter (January 23), Celebrity Golf Tournament (January 27), Lifetime Achievement and Honorary Awards Gala at the Conference Hall, Royal Thai Navy Headquarters (January 31).
For more info, visit the Bangkok International Film Festival website.
