Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Popular Thai cinema ballooned in the 1960s and '70s, especially when the government
levied a tax on Hollywood imports which spawned a home-grown industry. The majority
of films were cheap action flicks that were often dubbed
nám nôw
(stinking water), but
the fantastic (even nonsensical) plots and rich colours left a lasting impression on modern-
day Thai filmmakers.
Live music in Phuket
STEPHEN J BOITANO / GETTY IMAGES ©
Thai cinema graduated into international film circles in the late 1990s and early 2000s,
thanks in part to director Pen-ek Ratanaruang and his gritty and engrossing films.
Apichatpong Weerasethakul is Thailand's leading
cinéma-vérité
director and has received
two Cannes accolades. Today the international film festivals host a new crop of experi-
mental directors. Nawapol Thamrongrattanrit gained acclaim for his modern-girl-in-the-
city screenplay
Bangkok Traffic Love Story
(2009) and followed up with his directorial
debut
36
(2012), which uses 36 static camera shots to explore lost love and lost memories.
