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Hot from its multi-territory success with “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies,” Thai film studio GDH559 set out a powerful production and releasing slate for the coming year. Significantly, four of its next five releases have LGBT themes.
Released in April, “Grandma” earned THB339 million ($9.4 million) in Thailand. It has since broken records in five countries for Thai-language film on its way to earning a cumulative THB1.2 billion ($33.3 million) and plays imminently at the New York Asian Film Festival.
Nearest to release, and most accomplished-looking of the new slate, is “The Paradise of Thorns,” a comedy drama about a man who is cut out of his lover’s durian farm inheritance due to a lack of paperwork and hereto-centric laws. A similar theme was explored earlier this year in Ray Yeung’s Teddy Award-winning drama “All Shall Be Well,” which told its story from a lesbian point of view and set it in Hong Kong. In recent months, Thailand’s lower house of parliament has approved a same-sex marriage bill, though it has not yet become law – a problem that “Thorns” hints at.
“Thorns” stars singer Jeff Satur and former beauty queen Engfa Waraha, who both make their acting debuts and who both performed on stage at GDH’s airline-themed presentation at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The film is directed by Narubet ‘Boss’ Kuno (TV’s “I Told Sunset About You”) and was jointly produced by GDH and Jai Studio. It will arrive in Thai cinemas on Aug. 22.
In November, audiences can look forward to “404 Run Run Run,” a co-production with Raruek Production, marking GDH’s first collaboration with producer Rergchai ‘Yacht’ Poungpetch. The comedy film featuring a battle between the living and the dead and a real estate scammer, is directed by Seua Pichaya Jarusboonpracha. It stars Ter Chantavit Dhanasevi, Thanaerng Kanyawee Songmuang, Nui Chernyim, Daou Pittaya Sae-Chua, Arethai Suapathat Ophat, and Paweenuch ‘Pookie’ Pangnakorn.
“Flat Girls,” a romantic comedy, is directed by female first-time feature helmer Claire Jirassaya Wongsutin (TV series “One Year”). With a tagline of “boy meet girls, girl meets girl” the film features an awkward love triangle between housemates. It is produced by Jira Maligool (producer of “Grandma” and “Heart Attack” and screenwriter and cinematographer of “The Iron Ladies”) and Vanridee with a young cast comprising Fatima ‘EarnEarn’ Dechawaleekun and Kirana ‘Fairy’ Pipityakorn.
“Project Red” is a comedy set for release in 2025. Notably, its cast is headed by Putthipong ‘Billkin’ Assaratanakul and Krit ‘PP’ Amnuaydechkorn, a duo known from Boys Love-themed series “I Told Sunset About You” and gives “Grandma” star Assaratanakul another leading role in a GDH production. GDH said nothing of its story, but a teaser video pointed to male bonding themes. The film is is directed by Chayanop ‘Moo’ Boonprakob and is structured as a partnership between GDH, Billkin Entertainment and PP Krit Entertainment. Production is by the vastly experienced Banjong Pisanthanakun (writer-director of “Shutter” and previous record breaker “Pee Mak”).
“Beauty and the Beat,” directed by Kittipak ‘Title’ Thonguam and produced by Vijjapat ‘Deaw’ Kojiw and Suwimon ‘Sui’ Techasupinan, is a comedy about pop star rivalries in heaven. It stars Preechaya ‘Ice’ Pongthananikorn, Chawarin ‘Nunew’ Perdpiriyawong, Thongchai ‘Pingpong’ Thongkantom and Ninew Phetdankaeo.
The company confirmed that it is also developing film projects by noted directors Ter Nawapol, Kai Nattaphon, Mez Tharatorn and Baz Poonpiriya. The latter is imminently expected to announce a new venture in partnership with GDH.
“Our partnerships with Billkin Entertainment, PP Krit Entertainment, Jai Studio and Raruek Production underscore our commitment to reaching a broader audience and creating Thai films that leave a lasting impression, bring happiness, and entertain audiences worldwide,” said GDH559 CEO, Jina Osothsilp.
