Saturday 5 June 2010

Phuket Film Festival

Phuket Film Festival
Date:
4 - 13 June, 2010

The 2nd edition of the Phuket Film Festival which runs June 4 – 13 on the beautiful resort island of Phuket, Thailand is pleased to announce its Opening Film will be the Asian premiere of Indian director Paresh Mokashi's debut film, Harishchchandrachi Factory. Director Mokashi will attend.

Opening Film
Asian premiere of Harishchchandrachi Factory

Harishchchandrachi Factory was India's entry to the 2010 Oscars in the Foreign Language Film category.

The quirky, light hearted film depicts the struggle of Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema, while making Raja Harishchandra in 1913, India's first feature film.

The movie is one of several Indian movies the Phuket Film Festival will play as it turns the Spotlight on Indian Films which have recently reached international box-office acclaim.

"We're honouring India not only as their cinema industry turns 100 years old but because of the close relationship between Indian filmmakers and Thailand," said Scott Rosenberg, managing director of AMW International Co. Ltd. organizers of the Phuket Film Festival.

In November '09 Thailand was presented with the top filming locations award at the Locations World Exhibition and Conference held in Mumbai while Indian location shoots and film production in Thailand have increased from 31 in 2003 to 104 in 2009 (end of November) outpacing the traditional number one Japanese filmmakers.

Film Festival movies will be shown at the Coliseum Cineplex in Phuket Town while a "Meet the Directors" series will be held at an open air theatre just now under construction at Cape Yamu.

Closing Film on June 13, 2010
YUTHLERT SIPPAPAK'S FRIDAY KILLER TO HAVE WORLD PREMIERE AT PHUKET FILM FESTIVAL

The Phuket Film Festival will screen acclaimed Thai director Yuthlert Sippapak's Friday Killer as its closing film, Sunday, June 13 2010. This will be a World Premier for director Sippapak's first movie in The Killers Trilogy.

Director, writer, and producer Yuthlert Sippapak has received international recognition for his daring visual style and unconventional screenwriting. His film credits include Killer Tattoo (2001), February (2003), and Buppah Rahtree (2003) which is one of Thailand’s highest grossing films, popular for its eccentric storyline and blend of horror with comedy.

Friday Killer is the story of “Pae Uzi” (comedian Suthep Pho-ngam) aka “The Eagle of Chantaburi”, a professional hit-man who was just set free from prison. After his release, he learns for the first time he has a daughter “Dao” (Ploy Jindachote – actress played lead role with William Hurt and Cary Elwes in the supernatural thriller 'Shadows'). The tables are turned on Pae when his daughter tries to kill him because she thinks that he killed the only father that she knew.

Cast and crew are expected to attend the closing movie and reception that will follow.

The Killers Trilogy is produced by Sippapak's Mahagan Pictures with financing from Phranakorn Film who is also handling international sales and domestic distribution.

The Phuket Film Festival runs June 4 – 13 on the beautiful international tourist destination of Phuket, Thailand. Movies will screen at the Coliseum Cineplex in Phuket Town while a Meet the Directors series of movies will run at The Yamu at Cape Yamu.

Award winning Hollywood directors Gus Van Sant (Milk) and Darnell Martin (Cadillac Records) are some of the directors participating in the Meet the Directors series.

Major supporters of the Phuket Film Festival include the Thai Ministry of Culture, Vijitt Resort, TwoVillas, Phuket Beer, Siam Winery, the Phuket Gazette, Global i Care and others.

For additional information contact:
E-mail: info@phuketfilmfestival.asia
Web site: www.phuketfilmfestival.asia