Picture Gallery

รายงานพิธีเปิดฉบับภาษาไทย

The much advertised 2006 Bangkok International Film Festival commenced last night at the newly opened Siam Paragon Cineplex with star-studded appearances, promotional speeches, and the Thailand premier of Pen-Ek Ratanaruang's highly anticipated Invisible Waves.

The gala began with a parade of Thai celebrities and casts of many of the event's participating Thai films, including Dear Dakanda, Dorm, and The Tin Mine. The promised Hollywood stars, such as Hayden Christensen, Willem Dafoe, Christopher Lee, Helen Mirren, and Vanessa Redgrave, however, did not seem to be present. Interestingly, many of the Thai celebrities consisted of singers and models--those who really had little or nothing to do with films. Oh well.

The night proceeded with a promotional video clip entitled "Thailand: Grand Invitation", which highlighted Thailand as a prime location for filmiing, citing such legendary films as The Bridge on the River Kwai, Good Morning Vietnam, The Killing Fields, and Platoon (as well as such
flops as Alexander, Bridget Jones's Diary 2, and Frank Coraci's 2004 Around the World in 80 Days). During the video presentation and the introductory speech by Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor and the event's President Juthamas Siriwan, people seemed to be paying more attention to the appetizers and free popcorn. Not that you can blame them, the sound system was not loud enough.

Shortly afterward, the event honors the cast and crew of the opening film Invisible Waves and the guests were treated to its Thailand premier. Directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, Invisible Waves is a
Pan-Asian collaboration with Japanese star Tadanobu Asano playing Kyoji, who was hired to kill the wife of his boss Wiwat (Thailand's legendary actor Toon Hiranyasap) after discovering her adulterous
affair. Kyoji escaped to Phuket to find asylum but faced with a beautiful stranger named Noi (Korean actress Gang Hye Jung) as well as an assassination attempt.

The 2006 Bangkok International Film Festival is in its fourth consecutive year and is held at the newly opened Siam Paragon mall at the center of Bangkok. Over 180 movies from 30 countries will be shown from today until 27 February 2006.