Rappin' out an inspiration

Now, we’re pleased to say, the details of the film have been released and we can announce that “Chalui…Tae Khob Fah”, as it’s called, is neither a reboot nor a remake of the 1988 movie directed by Adirek “Uncle” Watleela, which told the story of two young upcountry lads (played by Billy Ogan and Surasak Wongthai) who travel to Bangkok to pursue their dreams.
Uncle, who is co-directing the new film with rookie Suchart Mekwiman, prefers to describe it as “a recycling”. While the co-production of Thailand's Transformation Film and South Korea’s CJ Entertainment, does indeed focus on two young lads, their destination is no longer Bangkok but Seoul, and their dreams are in touch with what is happening in the present than in the past.
Nichkhun will appear in the film as the inspiration for the two characters, who are played by Nachat “Nicky” Juntapan and Mek “Jessi” Mekwattana. And if the latter’s surname sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the son of Carabao’s Thierry Mekwattana.
“Chalui…Tae Khob Fah” comes to cinemas on June 4.

Blind leading the blind
Pongsakorn “Toei” Mettarikanon must surely be one of the hottest young actors around right now. His TV period drama “Bang Rajan” just ended with a bang and he has two movies about to hit cinemas, including the Thai zombie film “Phee Haa Ayothaya” (“The Black Death”), which was due out in February but has been postponed until May 14.
That means that his debut movie, the romantic drama “See Sao” (“Love Is”), will now be released earlier than his second, on April 23, which is how it should be.
Produced by NGR whose previous films include “Ma Mah See Kha Krub” and “October Sonata”, “Love Is” focuses on the friendship between three childhood friends and a man called Kamol played by Toei. The three friends are Chinese kids who grew up in Doi Mae Salong, Chiang Rai, and Kamol is a man they meet at college. The film was mainly shot on location in Doi Mae Salong, which is home to a large Chinese community.
Toei laughingly says that the film is not only his big screen debut but also the first time he’s played a modern-day man. He adds that the role was also the most challenging he has faced to date, as Kamol is blind.
During the first acting workshop for the film, director Karanyapas Khumsin put a blindfold on Toei and made him wear it for a full 12 hours. He admits he was uncomfortable with the situation and even got angry at one stage, throwing things at the other participants and cursing the director.
“When Karanyapas finally removed the blindfold, he asked me if I now understood what it was like to suddenly go blind. I won’t say I enjoyed the experience but it was very helpful for getting into character,” Toei says.