Nonzee Nimibutr Movies
- 2008
Magic and fierce rivalries set the stage in this epic-scale fantasy set in 17th Century Thailand. The Black Raven (Winai Kraibutr) is a fearsome pirate who has joined forces with a rogue prince to overthrow the rule of Queen Hijau of Pattani (Jarunee Suksawas). Needing weapons, the Black Raven and his crew set out to steal a cache of powerful cannons from Janis Bree (Andre Macchieisen), a Dutch master of firearms, and Lim Kium (Jakkrit Phanichphatikram), his Chinese right-hand man. The Raven's plan, however, goes awry, and the cannons sink to the bottom of the sea as a child named Pari is born in a village not far away. As the youngster grows to manhood, it becomes evident that Pari (Ananda Everingham) has a gift for magic, and his uncle Anjar (Preecha Katkham) arranges for him to learn the art at the hands of the gifted White Ray (Sorapong Chatree). As Pari hones his powers, he learns that his father died battling the Black Raven on the day he was born, and White Ray tells him it is his duty to bring justice against the pirate once he masters his magic. As Pari makes plans to put the Black Raven in his place, the pirate is making new plans to rescue the cannons he lost years ago, and Queen Hijau, sensing that revolt is afoot once again, approaches Lim Kium and asks if he can recreate Janis Bree's fabled weapons. Puenyai chom salat (aka Queens of Langkasuka) also stars Anna Ris and Jacqueline Apithananon as the Queen's daughters. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jarunee Suksawas, Ananda Everingham, (more)
A master musician defends his talent and his family's reputation against political interference and artistic challenges in this historical drama from Thailand. Sorn (played as a young man by Anuchit Saphanphong and as an older man by Adul Dulyarat) was the younger brother of a musician who was a master of the ranard-ek, a wooden percussion instrument similar to the xylophone. Sorn was eager to follow in his brother's footsteps, but his family discouraged him until his brother was killed in a fistfight with rival musicians, and Sorn took up the instrument to honor his memory. While Sorn displayed an easy talent on the ranard-ek, he was also headstrong and lacked discipline, and after impressing local audiences, he first tasted humiliation when he was outclassed in a competition with master musician Im Krun (Narongrit Tosa-nga). From that point on, Sorn dedicated himself to serious study of the ranard-ek and honing his talent in anticipation of another face-off against Im Khun. However, Sorn's rise to the peak of his form comes as the Thai government introduces a sweeping program of "cultural control," as certain traditional art forms were discouraged in the name of bringing the nation a more modernized lifestyle. Released in North America under the title The Overture, Hoam Rong was inspired by the true-life story of Thai musician Luang Pradit Phairao. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anuchit Saphanphong, Adul Dulyarat, (more)
- 2004
When Tum (Poowarit Poompuang), a Buddhist monk who lives a simple, devout life of privation, learns that his sister, Jane, has been killed in a terrorist bombing, he travels to the city and is forced to re-engage with the world. Jane has left behind a successful business: a popular hair salon and, more importantly, Maria (Saranya Kruangsai), her young daughter, a child of divorce who hasn't seen her father since she was a baby. Lynn (Jeeranan Manoojam), a travel agent and Jane's most responsible friend, has been watching after Maria. Tum quickly realizes that his monastic lifestyle will hinder him from caring for his young niece (and his sister's affairs) the way he should, so temporarily abandons monkhood. While party girl Fern comically tries to introduce Tum to urban nightlife and the latest fashions, Lynn works to help him in his efforts to gain legal custody of Maria and teaches him how to ride a bike. Tum finds himself developing an unexpected emotional attachment to both Lynn and Maria and is dismayed to learn that Lynn has a Muslim boyfriend and is converting to Islam. This is especially difficult for Tum to accept, because he assumes that Muslim terrorists were responsible for the bombing that killed his sister. Baytong was written and directed by Nonzee Nimibutr, best known for his horror film Nang Nak and for producing such well-regarded Thai films as Bangkok Dangerous and Mon-Rak Transistor. Baytong was shown at the 2004 edition of Subway Cinema's New York Asian Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Poowarit Poompuang, Jeeranan Manoojam, (more)
A story of two very different people coming together in the wake of personal tragedies, Last Life in the Universe stars Tadanobu Asano as Kenji, a quiet, bespectacled Japanese librarian living in Bangkok. Obsessed with suicide, he meticulously stages ways to kill himself, only to be interrupted every time. One night, his more raucous brother shows up for an unexpected visit, accompanied by a yakuza gangster. A gunfight breaks out, leaving both visitors dead. Kenji ventures out into the night and happens upon Noi (Sinitta Boonyasak), a feisty bargirl whose sister has just died in an accident following a fight over their shared boyfriend. Kenji accompanies Noi to her sprawling, dilapidated house in the country, where a relationship develops despite their language barrier and clashing personalities, until another twist of fate threatens to tear them apart. ~ Tom Vick, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tadanobu Asano, Sinitta Boonyasak, (more)
- 2002
Pen-ek Ratanaruang's Mon-Rak Transistor is part of a mini-wave of Thai films that have won acclaim on the film festival circuit in recent years. Pan (Suppakorn Kitsuwan), a young man with dreams of pop stardom, enjoys a simple life with his new wife, Sadaw (Siriyakorn Pukkavesa), in their country village. The two are separated, however, when Pan is drafted into the army. Unhappy on the front, Pan soon goes AWOL to join a pop music troupe and pursue his dreams of becoming a singer. Meanwhile, the pining Sadaw manages to track her husband down just as he gets his big break. Their reunion proves short-lived when a mishap forces Pan to go on the run from the law. After a detour working at a sugar cane farm, Pan ends up begging on the streets of Bangkok and eventually lands in jail. Having all but given up on Pan, Sadaw falls for the charms of a traveling salesman. Years pass and Pan is finally released from prison. Chastened by his experiences in the city, he returns home to Sadaw for an unexpected and tearful reunion. Featuring songs by Surapol Sombatcharoen, a popular Thai country singer from the 1960s, this bittersweet musical comedy won several Thai film industry awards in 2001. ~ Elbert Ventura, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suppakorn Kitsuwan, Siriyakorn Pukkavesa, (more)
Three constitutes an omnibus package of three short horror films made by Asian directors. "Memories," made by Kim Ji-Woon, is about a woman (Kim Hye-Soo) who disappears from the home she shares with her husband (Jung Bo-Seog) and children, and ends up in a futuristic city filled with many disturbing hindrances to her finding her way back home. Nonzee Nimibutr's "The Wheel" contains a puppeteer who is unsuccessful in warning a dance troupe about using cursed puppets. Peter Ho-Sun Chan's "Coming Home" stars Eric Tsang as a policeman who becomes involved with his neighbors, a married couple who are involved in with some mysterious herbal medications. Three was screened at the Vancouver Film Festival. This film was actually produced first in a series of two omnibus horror films (followed by Three... Extremes), but was actually released after Three... Extremes and retitled Three... Extremes II for the English-language market. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kim Hye-su, Jung Bo-Seog, (more)
- 2002
Three contains a trio of short suspense/horror film made by Asian directors. Memories, made by Kim Ji-Woon, is about a woman (Kim Hye-Soo) who disappears from the home she shares with her husband (Jung Bo-Seog) and children, and ends up in a futuristic city filled with many disturbing hinderences to her finding her way back home. Nonzee Nimibutr's The Wheel contains a puppeteer who is unsuccessful in warning a dance troupe about using cursed puppets. Peter Ho-Sun Chan's Coming Home stars Eric Tsang as a policeman who becomes involved with his neighbors, a married couple who are involved in with some mysterious herbal medications. Three was screened at the Vancouver Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
Widely considered Thailand's leading director of the late '90s, Nonzee Nimibutr spins this erotic drama based on one of that country's most popular and controversial literary works. Jan Dara was cursed from the beginning when his mother, Dara, died during childbirth. His autocratic, libidinous father, Khun Luang, cursed and abused the child, calling him a bastard. Meanwhile, Khun Luang dealt with his sudden widower status by engaging in perverse, licentious behavior, often right in front of a portrait of his late wife. When his mother's friend, Waad, comes to Khun Luang's estate to look after the child, the patriarch wastes no time in seducing her. Soon Waad bores Kaew, who Khun Luang teaches to hate Jan Dara. Later, the old man marries his former lover, the nymphomaniac Boonlueang, who teaches the teenage Jan Dara his first lessons in the ways of love. Eventually, our abused hero is thrown out of his father's estate when Kaew frames him for raping her. Years pass and the formerly powerful Khun Luang, ravaged by age and disease, is a shell of the man he was before. Jan Dara is asked to return to his ancestral estate to marry Kaew, who is now pregnant, and only does so when he is promised the deed to the house. Once ensconced, Jan Dara begins taking the same libertine pleasures as his father, unwittingly becoming the very person he loathes. This film was an official selection for the 2001 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suwinit Panjamawat, Eakarat Sarsukh, (more)
This historical drama from Thailand is based on one of the key historical events in that nation's history. In 1765, Siam (as Thailand was known at that time) was being invaded by Burmese troops, and only one thing stood in the way of the Burmese army seizing control of the capitol city of Ayudhaya -- the tiny village of Bang Rajan. Despite the strength of the advancing Burmese forces, the people of Bang Rajan were determined to fight back, and Taen (Chumphorn Thepphithak) leads a band of villagers who have pledged to face down the enemy. When Taen is severely wounded in an early skirmish with the Burmese, the people of Bang Rajan are forced to turn to Chan Nhatkeo (Jaran Ngamdee), a battle-hardened soldier of fortune who lives alone in the nearby wilderness. Chan Nhateko, understanding the seriousness of the situation, brings in a handful of colleagues, and with their help the people of Bang Rajan prepare to fight the larger and better equipped Burmese army to a standstill. Bang Rajan was shot on a relatively lavish budget ($1.3 million, roughly the cost of four average Thai productions), and proved to be a blockbuster attraction at home, eventually grossing $9 million to become the biggest home-grown moneymaker in the history of the Thai film industry. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Winai Kraibutr
One of the most elaborate productions ever mounted in Thailand, Tears of the Black Tiger is a candy-colored Western made in the high-energy style that characterizes much contemporary Thai cinema. The plot is a traditional boy-meets-girl, boy-loses-girl, boy-gets-girl-again story that references both classic American Westerns and Thai folk tales. Poor boy Dum (Chartchai Ngamsan) and rich girl Rumpoey (Stella Malucchi) first lay eyes on each other as children when her family escapes Bangkok to his country hometown during World War II. When they meet again ten years later, they fall instantly in love and decide to marry. But the disapproval of her parents and a band of rampaging bandits led by the villainous Mahesuan (Supakorn Kitsuwon) combine to threaten their plans for future happiness. ~ Tom Vick, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chartchai Ngamsan, Stella Malucchi, (more)
A hired killer gives up his career for love in this stylish crime drama from Thailand. Kong (Pawalit Mongkolpisit) is a hit man who never speaks as he carries out his deadly assignments. Kong has begun to grow tired of his life of crime, and becomes infatuated with Fon (Premsinee Ratanasopha), a beautiful young woman who works as an assistant in a drugstore. As Kong tries to win the affections of Fon, he decides to turn against the gangsters who control him, and use his skills to earn his freedom. Bangkok Dangerous was directed by the brother team of Danny Pang and Oxide Pang; Oxide previously directed Who Is Running. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Martial arts action mixes with tongue-in-cheek humor in an action-comedy that was a huge box-office success in its native Thailand. The Black Tiger (Chartchai Ngamsan) is the leader of a gang of bandits who dress in cowboy garb and hide out in a forest when not taking advantage of their village's wealthier residents. The Black Tiger falls in love with a beautiful woman (Stella Malucchi), but fate does not look kindly upon their romance; it seems her father has pledged her hand in marriage to a police officer determined to put the Tiger out of business. Fa Talai Jone had its North American premiere at the 2000 Vancouver Film Festival, where it won the Dragons and Tigers Award for Best Asian Feature. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Nonzee Nimibutr, whose previous work includes Dang Bireley and the Young Gangsters (1997) directs this supernatural drama that proved to be phenomenally popular in its native Thailand. Set in the 1860s, young villager Mak leaves his wife and child to fight in an unnamed war. When he returns, he finds the village is possessed by ghosts. Soon, local monks hire a hirsute Buddhist ghostbuster to thwart the supernatural scourge. Nang Nak was screened at the 1999 Vancouver Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Intira Jaroenpura, Winai Kraibutr, (more)
- 1997
High school classmates become enemies in this Thai action film about teen gangs of the '50s. Raised by his prostitute mother, impoverished Dang (Jesdaporn Pholdee) rules at his school. He's warned by his sidekick Piak about tough classmates Lam Dum and Pu Bottle Bomb. Kicked out of school, the youths run rackets, as their past conflicts escalate into brutal confrontations. Shown at the 1997 London and Vancouver film festivals. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jesdaporn Pholdee, Noppachai Muttaweevong, (more)
