A night at the Thai Oscars

 In a first for the Thai film industry, an independent movie directed by a female filmmaker swept three of the national film awards including the coveted best film and best director prizes on Sunday night, proving that small films are able of outdoing big-budget mainstream productions.
“Dao Khanong” (“By The Time It Gets Dark”) by Anocha Suvichakorn- pong also took home the best-editing prize at the 26th Subhanahongsa awards held at Bangkok’s KBank Siam Pic-Ganesha theatre. The film triumphed against nominees who included the commercial hit “Fanday … Fan Kun Khae Wan Diaw” (“One Day”) and another indie by a female director, “Mahasamut Lae Susan” (“The Island Funeral”).
After giving her acceptance speech, Anocha told the press she hoped her win would inspire young female filmmakers.
“We should cross the boundaries of gender. Men, women and the third gender all have a chance to win the award. Don’t let your gender be an obstacle to reaching your dreams,” said the director, who spent seven years working on the project.
Speaking with XP at the film’s premiere at the Locarno Film Festival last year, Anocha described the film as being about politics, memories and cinema. The narrative starts with a female film director, who wants to learn more about the Thai student movement in 1976 so she interviews a well-known female writer who was part of the movement. The film then goes back in time before bringing the audience back to present to meet the other characters and witness their struggles in modern society.
The director also thanked her family for giving her the freedom to do what she loves. “I want to dedicate this win to those who fight for the liberty of thought and expression,” Anocha said.
Action drama film “Khun Phan” swept the most awards, picking up best supporting actor for Krisada Sukosol Clapp, best visual effects, best costume design and best makeup effects.
Romantic drama “One Day” didn’t go home empty handed, rewarding Chanthawit Thanasewee and Nittha Jirayungyurn with the best actor and best actress awards.
Despite being in hot demand, it was the first best actor award for Chanthawit.
“I’m thrilled and overwhelmed. I love this character so much because we really started from zero. I worked hard, gained 10 kilograms, curled my hair and wore a buck-teeth prosthetic for the part,” said Chanthawit, who also co-wrote the script with director Banjong Pisunthanakun and Nontra Khumwong. The trio worked on the screenplays for “Pee Mak Phra Khanong” and “Guan Muen Ho” (“Hello Stranger”) in which Chanthawit also played the lead. Back then it was his co-star Nuengtida Sophon who was recognised for her acting skills.
TV actress Nittha, who had her big-screen debut in “One Day” and plays a beautiful woman who loses her memory for a day, was stunned by her win
“I am shocked because it is my first movie and the other nominees are all so talented. The project was a great experience as the character was different from the roles I am used to playing. I was worried that my fans wouldn’t like the character but it turned out to be the opposite. I would like to thank Banjong, Chanthawit, my acting coach and everyone who helped me to work on this character,” the actress said.
Penpak Sirikul won best supporting actress for her role in indie “Pum Namman” (“A Gas Station”), which also picked up best screenplay. Penpak is currently filming overseas so it fell to the movie’s director, Tanwarin Sukkhapisit, to accept the award of her behalf. 
Tanwarin, who calls Penpak Khun Mae (Mother) and first worked with the actress on “It Gets Better Mai Dai Khor Hai Ma Rak”, for which she was nominated but didn’t win, said he’d promised her they would work together again and make sure she did win an award. He was delighted that that hope has come true. 
For Krissada, also nominated for best actor for “Luk Thung Signature”, it was also a second award, having picked up best actor for his role in Chookiat Sakveerakul’s “13 Game Sayong” 10 years ago.
“Getting two nominations was a surprise and winning one of them is overwhelming. My thanks go to the director for choosing me. Our duty is to deliver the director’s message to the best of our ability. I’m proud to be part of the Thai movie scene because movies are part of our culture,” said the actor-singer.
The anthology “Pohnjakfah” (“A Gift”) won best music score and best recording and sound mixing. Prabda Yoon’s “Rongram Tagdao” (“Motel Mist”) won best art direction, and the Thai-Myanmar production “Tueng Kon Mai Kid Tueng” (“From Bangkok to Mandalay”) picked up best song for “Chan Ja Pai”. The indie film “Thudongkhawat” (“Wandering”) won best cinematography for Uruphong Raksasad, but sadly the other indie “The Island Funeral” went home empty handed despite getting eight nominations.
Held at the Siam Pic-Ganesha Theatre for the second year, the ceremony offered little in the way of entertainment and was again brief, perhaps the result of budget constraints. The organisers also need to set a duration time for winners’ speeches and allow time for the nominated songs to be performed.
However, once again, plenty of time was given to the Electronic Trans- actions Development Agency, which provides major financial support for the ceremony.
Now in its third year, ETDA seemed to have found a way to make online security concerns more creative and even mildly entertaining.
  And the awards go to...
Best Picture: “Dao Khanong” (“By the Time It Gets Dark”)
Best Director: Anocha Suwichakornpong, “By the Time It Gets Dark”
Best Actor: Chantavit Dhanasevi, “Fanday … Fan Kun Khae Wan Diaw” (“One Day”)
Best Actress: Nittha Jirayungyurn, “One Day”
Best Supporting: Actor Krissada Sukosol Clapp, “Khun Phan”
Best Supporting Actress: |Penpak Sirikul, “Pum Namman” |(“A Gas Station”)
Best Screenplay: Tanwarin Sukkhapisit, “A Gas Station”
Best Cinematography: Uruphong Raksasad, “Thudongkhawat”
Best Film Editing: Lee Chatametikool and Machima Ungsriwoung, |“By the Time It Gets Dark”
Best Art Direction: Rasiguet Sookkarn, “Rongram Tang Dao” (“Motel Mist”)
Best Original Score: Hualampong Riddim, “Pohnjakfah” (“A Gift”)
Best Original Song: “Chan Ja Pai”, “Tueng Kon Mai Kid Tueng” |(“From Bangkok to Mandalay”)
Best Recording and Sound Mixing: Ekarat Jungsagar and Kantana Sound Studio, “A Gift”
Best Make Up Effects: Siwakorn Sukarangkarn, “Khun Phan”
Best Costume Design: Nirachara Wannalai, “Khun Phan”
Best Visual Effects: Zurreal Studio, “Khun Pan”
Lifetime Achievement Award: Yodchai Meksuwan