Bangkok International Film Festival 2009

[Nicholas Snow]

For the second time, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand have joined forces to present the foremost film event in South East Asia. Not only has attendance risen on previous years, but the festival directors managed to attract an even wider range of audiences, exposing a new generation of filmgoers to an incredible variety of movies from across the globe.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) proudly continues its support for the Bangkok International Film Festival and Jareuk Kaljareuk, President of the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand, make his return as Festival Director. Once again the Thai Film Directors Association will lead the artistic direction of the festival under the guidance of Association President and well-known filmmaker Yongyoot Thongkongtoon. Director of Programming, Pimpaka Towira and Mai Meksawan will once again put together an exciting program of films, and have already travelled many miles and spent many hours building a fresh and exciting program of around 80 films.
What to expect this year @ BKKIFF’09….

Celebrities: Over the last few years the festival has attracted many of cinemas biggest names. Luminaries such as Oliver Stone, Michael Douglas and Jean Claude van Damme, to name just a few, have all been recent guests. This year, with the world clawing itself from the depths of an economic crisis BKKIFF’09 has been able to entice a fantastic line-up of celebrities to grace the red carpet. While we are able to reveal some information regarding who IS coming – there are still some frantic phone calls being made. And it is NOT what you think – a mad scramble to convince anyone to come to Bangkok! Actually, it is the complete opposite as the Film Foundation is spoilt for choice this year, despite the tales of doom and gloom the media appears fixated on.

Jim Belushi and Ving Rhames pretty much head up the list of the familiar but there is also some hot new talent dropping in on Bangkok to take part in the festival. Olivia Thirlby and Scout Taylor Compton are two to watch for and same can be said for Kyle Gallner and Sung Kang. All are rising young stars with big futures ahead.

Awards:

The Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema is an international Asian film business and cultural organization whose members are leading authorities on and professionals within Asian cinema. This year’s NETPAC jury consists of Jung Soo-wan (South Korea), Graiwoot Chulphongsathorn (Thai) and Ranjanee Ratnavibhushana (Sri Lanka).

Events:

Apart from a whole week dedicated to bringing to a Thai audience some of the world’s most captivating film makers and an exploration of cultural diversity there are red carpet events, seminars and a few parties…
Seminars & Workshops: Of course a big part of the Bangkok International Film Festival is the seminars and workshops. This will headed up by industry professionals on a wide and fascinating range of subject matter. Topics like Filming in Crisis? Interested…?


OFFICIAL FILM SELECTION

BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2009
PROGRAMMING


OPENING FILM : Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (USA)

CLOSING FILM : Sawasdee Bangkok (Thailand)

Main Competition

1. Across the River (Iran)
2. Adrift (Vietnam)
3. ALTIPLANO (Belgium)
4. Breathless (South Korea)
5. Everyone Else (Germany)
6. Huacho (Chile/ France/ Germany)
7. I Killed My Mother (Canada)
8. Inland (Algeria / France)
9. The Search (China)

South East Asian Competition

1. Aurora (Philippines)
2. Call If You Need Me (Malaysia)
3. Here (Singapore / Canada)
4. Imburnal (Philippines)
5. In the House of Straw (Singapore/ Malaysia/ Nepal)
6. Independencia (Philippines/ France/ Germany/ Netherlands)
7. Nymph (นางไม้) (Thailand)
8. The Moon At the Bottom of the Well (Vietnam / France)
9. The Forbidden Door (Indonesia)

South East Asian Panorama

1. Female Games (Singapore)
2. Jamila and the Presdient (Indonesia)
3. Jermal (Indonesia)
4. Kinatay (Philippines / France)
5. Manila (Philippines)

World Cinema

1. 35 Shots of Rum (France / Germany)
2. 7 Days In Slow Motion (India / USA)
3. A Prophet (France)
4. Adhen (DERNIER MAQUIS) (France / Algeria)
5. All Around Us (Japan)
6. Bluebeard (France)
7. Broken Embraces (Spain)
8. Castro (Argentina)
9. Cloud 9 (Germany)
10. Dead Snow (Norway)
11. Delhi-6 (India)
12. Dogtooth (Greece)
13. Eccentricities of a Blond Hair Girl (Portugal/ Spain / France)
14. Er Dong (China)
15. Jerichow (Germany)
16. La Pivellina (Austria / Italy)
17. Mall Girls (Poland)
18. Mammoth (Sweden)
19. My Dear Enemy (Korea)
20. Ne Change Rien (Portugal / France)
21. Shirin (Iran)
22. The Misfortunates (Belgium)
23. The Strength of Water (New Zealand)
24. The Time That Remains (France / Palestine)
25. Twenty (Iran)
26. Vincere (Italy / France)

Documentary Film Showcase

1. Agrarian Utopia (สวรรค์บ้านนา) (Thailand)
2. Burma VJ :Reporting from a closed country (Denmark)
3. Double Take (Belgium/ Germany/ Netherland)
4. Every Little Step (USA)
5. Fixer: The Taking of Ajmal Naqshbandi (USA)
6. Malaysian Gods (Malaysia)
7. Mental (Japan)
8. Petition (China / France)
9. Redemption (Germany)
10. The Queen & I (Sweden)

Special Programs

Bits and Pieces (Omnibus Films)

1. JDP 2009 (Jeonju Digital Project 2009: Visitors) (South Korea / Japan)
2. 9808 (Indonesia)

In Memory of Yasmin Ahmad

1. Chocolate (Malaysia)
2. Sepet (Malaysia)
3. Talentime (Malaysia)

Retrospective: Cherd Songsri

1. Behind the Painting (ข้างหลังภาพ) (Thailand)
2. Muen and Rid (อำแดงเหมือนกับนายริด) (Thailand)
3. The Scar (แผลเก่า) (Thailand)
4. The Gem from the Deep (พลอยทะเล) (Thailand)

Thai Panorama

1. 2022 Tsunami (2022 สึนามิ วันโลกสังหาร) (Thailand)
2. Before Valentine (ก่อนรัก..หมุนรอบตัวเรา) (Thailand)
3. Best of Times (ความจำสั้น แต่รักฉันยาว) (Thailand)
4. Coming Soon (โปรแกรมหน้า...วิญญาณอาฆาต) (Thailand)
5. Fireball (ท้าชน) (Thailand)
6. Happy Birthday (แฮปปี้เบิร์ธเดย์) (Thailand)
7. Jija - Raging Phoenix (จีจ้า ดื้อ สวย ดุ) (Thailand)
8. Ong-Bak 2 (องค์บาก 2) (Thailand)
9. Sam Chuk : Once in a Chance (สามชุก : ขอเพียงโอกาส อีกสักครั้ง) (Thailand)
10. The Happiness of Kati (ความสุขของกะทิ) (Thailand)
11. The Coffin (โลงต่อตาย) (Thailand / Hongkong/ Singapore)
12. Wongkamlao (วงษ์คำเหลา) (Thailand)

BKKIFF 2009 at Red Bamboo Productions

BKKIFF 2009 Web Site