- The fest aims at bridging the gap between India and Thailand
- The films display the culture and tradition of Thailand
- The audience also treated with a special Thai dish
New Delhi, June 16, 2019: A film is a reflection of our society and sometimes it connects the millions of hearts with its relatable storyline despite unknown language and settings. In order to bridge the cultural and social gap between India and Thailand, Namaste Thailand is back with the third edition of their film festival. The filming extravaganza was inaugurated today at the PVR Select Citywalk with the screening of the modern Thai romantic comedy Friend Zone.
The glitzy inaugural ceremony saw the presence of eminent dignitaries including H.E. Mr. UNG Sean, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia, H.E. Mr. Sidharto R. Suryodipuro, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Ariel Andrade Galindo, and Ambassador of EL Salvador. Following a welcome address from H.E. Mr. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Ambassador of Thailand, the curtains were raised on the three-day festival by the screening of “Friend Zone”, a Thai romantic comedy depicting a grey zone where relationships are trapped between being friends and lovers.
“Namaste Thailand Film Festival 2019” is the third edition of the Namaste Thailand Film Festival that has been organized annually since 2017 to bridge the gap between Indian and Thai cultures by bringing a taste of Thai films to the Indian audience. The festival is on 14-16 June 2019 and features a total of six specially curated movies which display the culture and tradition of Thailand in different ways.
“We are happy that people turned up in large numbers for the Inauguration and the screening of Friend Zone. The festival will continue until Sunday with five more films. Films are no doubt a reflection of a society, as films reflect how people think and the way they tell stories. This year we have chosen 6 films, which are 6 different stories told in different ways, but they all reflect Thai culture & society. Whatever your movie preferences are, we have them all here. We hope that you will enjoy the uniqueness and the diversity of the Thai culture and her people, as well as recognize the similarities and linkages between our two cultures.” said H.E. Mr. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, the Ambassador of Thailand to India.
The audience is also treated with a special dish (Thai Green Curry) during the screening. The Chef from Ambassador’s Residence gave special training to the PVR team for the preparation of this dish.
Namaste Thailand Film Festival souvenirs are handed out at the Festival for people who come to see the films and participate in their Facebook activity. All screenings are free of cost and are on the first-come-first-serve basis.
Film Information
- Friend Zone (119 mins | romance/comedy | 2019)
A romantic comedy depicting a grey zone where relationships are trapped between being friends and lovers.
Friend zone is a special area for those who are stuck in the middle where they cannot really stay friends with their close friend, nor move forward to be their friend’s lover.
Palm is one of those who have been stuck in the friend zone for years. One day, his best friend, Gink, asks him out of the blue, “Have you ever wondered – what if we were together?” Right then, sparks fly wildly inside Palm’s mind, knowing that this might be the only chance for him to cross the borderline.Although, Palm has no way of knowing if leaving the friend zone this time will lead him to the beginning of his romantic love life or to the end of his friendship with Gink for good.
Highest grossing film in Thailand in 2019.
Filmed in Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Hong Kong, with guest cast from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and China.
- 2,215 (90 mins | documentary | 2018)
A documentary follows the marathon run “Kao Kon La Kao” led by AthiwaraKhongmalai to raise funds for Thailand’s public hospitals.
AthiwaraKhongmalai is the lead singer of a popular band “Bodyslam”. He started his first charity run in 2016 for a hospital in Prachuap Kiri Khan. The outcome was massive. He was able to raise 85 million Baht and the awareness of health and wellness and the need of underfunded hospitals was widely spread to all Thais across the country.
This time he had a bigger goal. He wanted to raise 700 million Baht for 11 hospitals. This film documented his 2,215-kilometre- and-55-day journey from the south to the north of Thailand.
He was able to raise 1.4 billion Baht (INR 300 crore), which was distributed to 11 underfunded public hospitals in need of medical equipment across the country.
- Homestay (136 mins | drama/fantasy/thriller | 2018)
When death is not the end, but the beginning of a “temporary life”.A fantasy thriller that will give you a new meaning of HOMESTAY.
A wandering spirit meets a mysterious man called the Guardian, who tells him he has been granted a new home in a teenage boy’s body, Min, who was lying dead in the hospital’s morgue.
Living in a new body is known as “homestay” and it is only temporary. For the spirit, he has 100 days to figure out who was responsible for Min’s death. Failure to do so will result in the spirit dying permanently and losing his newfound family, friends, and love.
- The Promise (114 mins | horror | 2017)
A horror film exhibiting a deceased friend coming back to claim a promise made.
In 1997, best friends Ib and Boum vowed to commit suicide together after their families were hit by the economic downturn in Thailand. Reneging at the last minute, Boum watched her best friend killed herself.
20 years later, Ib’s vengeful ghost is back to claim the promise.
- The Legend of Muay Thai: 9 Satra (104 mins | action/fantasy/animation | 2018)
An adventure of a young man, who mastered in Muay Thai, and his mission to save his hometown from the intruding Devil.
Ramthep City was sieged by demonic Dehayaksa. A young boy was rescued from the city and had been trained the martial art of Muay Thai for the mission of delivering 9 Satra, the sacred weapon, to the Prince of Ramthep to save the Kingdom.The boy teams up with a beautiful pirate, a homeless prince monkey, and a red giant, who was expelled from his clan. They take the journey to the city of Ramthep for their mission.
The film was produced by a team of more than 200 Thai & Hollywood animators, with 4 years and more than 200 million Baht budget.
- Suddenly Twenty (130 mins | drama/romance | 2016)
A bothersome granny suddenly turns 20 and reliving her young days, refullfilling all her dreams.
A stubborn old woman learned that her son was planning to send her off to a nursing home. While wondering on the street in despair, she was drawn to a mysterious light and walked into a photo studio.
After she came out, she found herself being a vibrant 20-year-old young woman again. Newly reborn, she decides to live her life to the fullest and to pursue her long-lost dream of becoming a singer.
Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)
