#thai films

[clairedaring]

List of the 17th Nataraja Awards Nominations - Short Form, Long Form & Drama Components

Note: This year Nataraja has axed the online series and evening lakorn (dramas shown before the news) categories so there are only two categories (long form vs short form) aka competition is much tighter.

Short Form Series (less than 13 episodes) Category

Best Drama

Gelboys (One31)

Khemjira (One31)

Decalcomania (One31)

Mad Unicorn (Netflix)

The Believers 2 (Netflix)

Best Director

Wo Worawit Khuttiyayothin and Chai Yee-Wei, Decalcomania (One31)

Jax Wattanapong Wongwan, The Believers 2 (Netflix)

Kai Nottapon Boonprakob, Mad Unicorn (Netflix)

Boss Kuno, Gelboys (One31)

Koo Ekkasit Trakulkasemsuk, Hypnotic (One31)

Best Leading Actress

Toey Jarinporn Joonkiat, Enigma Black Stage (One31)

Janeyeh Jiranorraphat, Mad Unicorn (Netflix)

Mookda Narinrak, Decalcomania (One31)

Pinky Savika Chaiyadej, Haunted Mansion (MONOMAX)

Yaya Urassaya Sperbund, Dalah: Death and the Flowers (Netflix)

Best Leading Actor

Peach Pachara Chirathivat, The Believers 2 (Netflix)

James Teeradon Supapunpinyo, The Believers 2 (Netflix)

Ice Natara Nopparatayapon, Mad Unicorn (Netflix)

Foei Patara Eksangkul, Sweet Dreams (MONOMAX)

Kem Hussawee Pakrapongpisan, Decalcomania (One31)

Best Supporting Actress

Donut Manatsanun Panlertwongskul, The Believers 2 (Netflix)

Janis Janistar Phomphadungcheep, Khemjira (One31)

Pock Piyathida Mittiraroch, Zomvivor (Netflix)

Noon Siraphun Wattanajinda, ClaireBell (One31)

Vill Wannarot Sonthichai, Hypnotic (One31)

Best Supporting Actor

Weir Sukollawat Kanarot, Zomvivor (Netflix)

Dr. Palang Loksilp, Mad Unicorn (Netflix)

Ek Thaneth Warakulnukroh, Mad Unicorn (Netflix)

Ek Thaneth Warakulnukroh, Decalcomania (One31)

Chai Chartayodom Hiranyasthiti, Decalcomania (One31)

Best Screenplay

The Yarns (MONOMAX)

Khemjira (One31)

Decalcomania (One31)

Mad Unicorn (Netflix)

The Believers 2 (Netflix)

Drama Component Category

Best OST

Am I In Love by Slot Machine, Shine (CH7)

เพียงนิทาน (Starlight) by Violette Wautier, ClaireBell (One31)

เกลียดเธอไม่ลง by Ton Thanasit, Game of Succession (CH3)

ยิ้มง่าย (Better Together) by Fellow Fellow, 9 Years Of You (One31)

เลิกกั๊กแล้วรักก่อน (RED FLAG) by New Chayak, Gelboys (One31)

Best Costume

Gelboys (One31)

Khemjira (One31)

The Next Prince (One31)

Good Heavens! I'm a Goose Not a Swan (CH3)

The Succesor (One31)

Best Editing

Clairebell (One31)

Khemjira (One31)

Gelboys (One31)

Mad Unicorn (Netflix)

The Believers 2 (Netflix)

Best Cinematography

Shine (CH7)

Khemjira (One31)

Decalcomania (One31)

Mad Unicorn (Netflix)

Goddess Bless You from Death (One31)

Best Art Direction

Shine (CH7)

Khemjira (One31)

Gelboys (One31)

Mad Unicorn (Netflix)

Goddess Bless You from Death (One31)

Best Visual Effects (Computer Graphic)

Good Heavens! I'm a Goose Not a Swan (CH3)

Khemjira (One31)

Decalcomania (One31)

The Believers 2 (Netflix)

Echoes of the Lost City (One31)

Long Form Series (13 and more episodes) Category

Best Drama

The Summer We Met (Thai PBS)

Goddess Bless You from Death (One31)

The Successor (One31)

Echoes of the Lost City (One31)

My (Im)perfect Family (CH3)

Best Director

Peter Nopachai Jayanama, Goddess Bless You from Death (One31)

Paajaew Yuthana Lorphanpaibul, Good Heavens! I'm a Goose not a Swan (CH3)

Kao Wirada Khuhavanta, How to Suffer 101 (Thai PBS)

Sant Srikaewlaw, The Successor (One31)

Nun Lakkate Wasikachart, Echoes of the Lost City (One31)

Best Leading Actress

Pimma Pimmada Chaisaksoen, The Summer We Met (Thai PBS)

Bow Maylada, Good Heavens! I'm a Goose not a Swan (CH3)

Chanya McClory, How to Suffer 101 (Thai PBS)

Jessie Natsiya Prommart, Eyes of Heaven (One31)

Best Leading Actor

Kongthap Peak, My (Im)perfect Family (CH3)

Nonkul Chanon Santinatornkul, Mouse (TrueID)

Nont Sadanont Durongkavarojana, How to Suffer 101 (Thai PBS)

Toomtam Yuttana Puangklang, Echoes of the Lost City (One31)

Phai Phongsathon, In Search of the Missing Heart (One31)

Best Supporting Actress

Praew Chermawee Suwanpanuchoke, Reclaim (MONOMAX)

Emi Thasorn Klinnium, Mouse (TrueID)

Natty Natthamon Jantraviphart, How to Suffer 101 (Thai PBS)

Tai Penpak Sirikul, My (Im)perfect Family (CH3)

Nok Sinjai Plengpanich, The Successor (One31)

Best Supporting Actor

Oak Keerati Sivakua, Reclaim (MONOMAX)

Nhing Nirut Sirijanya, The Next Prince (One31)

Mos Patipan Khoonangeun, How to Suffer 101 (Thai PBS)

Am Amarin Nitibhon, Game Of Succession (CH3)

Duu Sanya Kunakorn, The Successor (One31)

Best Screenplay

The Summer We Met (Thai PBS)

Goddess Bless You from Death (One31)

Good Heavens! I'm a Goose Not a Swan (CH3)

Echoes of the Lost City (One31)

My (Im)perfect Family (CH3)

Here is a roundup for all the QL and LGBTQIA+ series

Khemjira has 8 nominations (Best Drama, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Costume, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, and Best Visual Effects).

Gelboys has 6 nominations (Best Drama, Best Director, Best OST, Best Costume, Best Editing, and Best Art Direction).

Goddess Bless You from Death has 5 nominations (Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Drama, Best Director, and Best Screenplay).

Clairebell has 3 nominations (Best Supporting Actress, Best OST, and Best Editing).

Shine has 3 nominations (Best OST, Best Cinematography, and Best Art Direction).

The Next Prince has 2 nominations (Best Costume and Best Supporting Actor)

The Summer We Met, which features a canonically sapphic protagonist has 3 nominations (Best Drama, Best Screenplay and Best Actress [for the sapphic protagonist])

After getting caught using AI on her homework, Jan must spend her time during summer break helping out at an elderly care home. There, she meets kind elders who befriend her, except for Nok, a senior author whom she seems not to get along well with. Because of his broken arm, Jan is hired to type a novel for him.

How To Suffer 101, which features a canonically gay main character has 4 nominations (Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor [for the main gay character])

When former psychotherapist Fai is hired to teach Happiness, a newly offered course aimed at helping students to get to know and understand themselves, she finds that nothing is as easy as she'd thought. A troubled student in her class, Kla, insists that happiness does not exist. Fai often finds herself helping him, despite what he wants. In her class, she also meets Miu, a depressed medical student; Win, Miu's perfectionist and controlling boyfriend; Good, a cheery freshie with no friends; and Chai, an electrical engineering student who identifies as a woman. Fai also reconnects with Itt, a popular friend from her high school days and former boyband member turned music professor. Though a matter from the past has erected walls between them, the two have to come together to help their students, particularly Kla, who's begun to find love and a sense of safety through Fai's class and the friends he's made. However, their progress is threatened as the class is attacked on social mead and Fai faces an investigative committee.

[gregor-samsung]

ฮาวทูทิ้ง..ทิ้งอย่างไรไม่ให้เหลือเธอ [Happy old year] (Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit, 2019)

[dersiebentekontinent]

[hotline-ning]

Ennui.

Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy. -- Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit (2013)

[murmulz]

Where We Belong (2019.) dir.  Kongdej Jaturanrasmee

[mat-ngu]

Đừng ngại bắt đầu chỉ vì biết nó sẽ kết thúc.

[temmaha1996]

SuckSeed

SuckSeed is a 2011 Thai comedy film directed by Chayanop Boonprakob. It stars Jirayu La-ongmanee, Nattasha Naujiam and Pachara Chirathivat. The film is about Ped, who finally meets his dream girl Ern in High School after being apart since their childhood. However, he decides to form a band with his best friend Koong in order to impress Ern and perhaps win a music award to get their careers in music started. 


This film was one of the hottest trending movies when I was growing up. It took a while for me to get around to seeing it as I usually have higher standards when it comes to Thai movies due to our ever changing norms in Thai cinema, whether it would be cheap comedies or lame romantic comedies. So, after watching it, is SuckSeed all that great? Perhaps not. It’s enjoyable enough, but it lacks a certain amount of soul, emotion and heart at it’s core. It relies too much on Thai traits and cliches rather than stand out organically original. Simply put, SuckSeed is a perfectly enjoyable comedy, but as a drama film and romance film it fails to leave any sort of emotional impact due to it’s over reliance on cheap sound effects and generic Thai cliches. 


Let’s begin with what I liked about this movie. 


Firstly, comedy. This film made me laugh for the most part, and that is down to how funny some of the comedic moments are. They are genuinely funny, with little suspension of disbelief needed as for the most part the jokes are relatable. There are of course some that fall flat, but overall there are alot of times the film made me laugh out loud and contributed to a large part of my enjoyment of the film as a whole. 


However, this film has some major flaws. 


Mainly, editing. This is where the film begins to fall apart. Over reliance on terrible Thai sound effects such as the loud clumsy cymbal or the badum-ts drum sound effect make the film look and feel cheap as a result. There are so many parts of the film where it just feels too cheesy and cliche, and that is down to how similar this film is to daily Thai TV stand-up comedy. Also, there is an unforgivable performance by Peach Pachara, who gives off such an over-exaggerated and borderline doofus performance that takes away from the overall believability of the film. 


All in all, despite some really bad and overly commercialized editing and a corny performance by one of it’s leads, Suckseed for the most part entertains thanks to it’s wide range and never-ending jokes. The whole thing plays out more like a long TV comedy skit rather than a feature film, and that is where the faults of the film is at it’s clearest. Either way, I can see why this film has a huge following in Thailand and it’s definitely worth watching at least once if you want to be mindlessly entertained for a few hours. SuckSeed receives an 6.3/10.

[clairedaring]

Winners of the 17th Nataraja Awards - Short Form, Long Form & Drama Components

(my previous post for 17th Nataraja Awards Nominations). Previously posted this on Reddit as well.

WINNER IN BOLD

Short Form Series (less than 13 episodes) Category

Best Drama

Gelboys (One31)

Khemjira (One31)

Decalcomania (One31)

Mad Unicorn (Netflix) 👑

The Believers 2 (Netflix)

Best Director

Wo Worawit Khuttiyayothin and Chai Yee-Wei, Decalcomania (One31)

Jax Wattanapong Wongwan, The Believers 2 (Netflix)

Kai Nottapon Boonprakob, Mad Unicorn (Netflix) 👑

Boss Kuno, Gelboys (One31)

Koo Ekkasit Trakulkasemsuk, Hypnotic (One31)

Best Leading Actress

Toey Jarinporn Joonkiat, Enigma Black Stage (One31)

Janeyeh Jiranorraphat, Mad Unicorn (Netflix) 👑

Mookda Narinrak, Decalcomania (One31)

Pinky Savika Chaiyadej, Haunted Mansion (MONOMAX)

Yaya Urassaya Sperbund, Dalah: Death and the Flowers (Netflix)

Best Leading Actor

Peach Pachara Chirathivat, The Believers 2 (Netflix)

James Teeradon Supapunpinyo, The Believers 2 (Netflix)

Ice Natara Nopparatayapon, Mad Unicorn (Netflix) 👑

Foei Patara Eksangkul, Sweet Dreams (MONOMAX)

Kem Hussawee Pakrapongpisan, Decalcomania (One31)

Best Supporting Actress

Donut Manatsanun Panlertwongskul, The Believers 2 (Netflix) 👑

Janis Janistar Phomphadungcheep, Khemjira (One31)

Pock Piyathida Mittiraroch, Zomvivor (Netflix)

Noon Siraphun Wattanajinda, ClaireBell (One31)

Vill Wannarot Sonthichai, Hypnotic (One31)

Best Supporting Actor

Weir Sukollawat Kanarot, Zomvivor (Netflix)

Dr. Palang Loksilp, Mad Unicorn (Netflix)

Ek Thaneth Warakulnukroh, Mad Unicorn (Netflix) 👑

Ek Thaneth Warakulnukroh, Decalcomania (One31)

Chai Chartayodom Hiranyasthiti, Decalcomania (One31)

Best Screenplay

The Yarns (MONOMAX)

Khemjira (One31)

Decalcomania (One31)

Mad Unicorn (Netflix) 👑

The Believers 2 (Netflix)

Drama Component Category

Best OST

Am I In Love by Slot Machine, Shine (CH7)

เพียงนิทาน (Starlight) by Violette Wautier, ClaireBell (One31)

เกลียดเธอไม่ลง by Ton Thanasit, Game of Succession (CH3)

ยิ้มง่าย (Better Together) by Fellow Fellow, 9 Years Of You (One31)

เลิกกั๊กแล้วรักก่อน (RED FLAG) by New Chayak, Gelboys (One31) 👑

Best Costume

Gelboys (One31)

Khemjira (One31)

The Next Prince (One31)

Good Heavens! I'm a Goose Not a Swan (CH3) 👑

The Succesor (One31)

Best Editing

Clairebell (One31)

Khemjira (One31)

Gelboys (One31)

Mad Unicorn (Netflix) 👑

The Believers 2 (Netflix)

Best Cinematography

Shine (CH7)

Khemjira (One31)

Decalcomania (One31)

Mad Unicorn (Netflix) 👑

Goddess Bless You from Death (One31)

Best Art Direction

Shine (CH7)

Khemjira (One31)

Gelboys (One31)

Mad Unicorn (Netflix) 👑

Goddess Bless You from Death (One31)

Best Visual Effects (Computer Graphic)

Good Heavens! I'm a Goose Not a Swan (CH3)

Khemjira (One31)

Decalcomania (One31)

The Believers 2 (Netflix) 👑

Echoes of the Lost City (One31)

Long Form Series (13 and more episodes) Category

Best Drama

The Summer We Met (Thai PBS) 👑

Goddess Bless You from Death (One31)

The Successor (One31)

Echoes of the Lost City (One31)

My (Im)perfect Family (CH3)

Best Director

Peter Nopachai Jayanama, Goddess Bless You from Death (One31)

Paajaew Yuthana Lorphanpaibul, Good Heavens! I'm a Goose not a Swan (CH3) 👑

Kao Wirada Khuhavanta, How to Suffer 101 (Thai PBS)

Sant Srikaewlaw, The Successor (One31)

Nun Lakkate Wasikachart, Echoes of the Lost City (One31)

Best Leading Actress

Pimma Pimmada Chaisaksoen, The Summer We Met (Thai PBS)

Bow Maylada Susri, Good Heavens! I'm a Goose not a Swan (CH3) 👑

Chanya McClory, How to Suffer 101 (Thai PBS)

Jessie Natsiya Prommart, Eyes of Heaven (One31)

Best Leading Actor

Kongthap Peak, My (Im)perfect Family (CH3)

Nonkul Chanon Santinatornkul, Mouse (TrueID) 👑

Nont Sadanont Durongkavarojana, How to Suffer 101 (Thai PBS)

Toomtam Yuttana Puangklang, Echoes of the Lost City (One31)

Phai Phongsathon, In Search of the Missing Heart (One31)

Best Supporting Actress

Praew Chermawee Suwanpanuchoke, Reclaim (MONOMAX)

Emi Thasorn Klinnium, Mouse (TrueID)

Natty Natthamon Jantraviphart, How to Suffer 101 (Thai PBS)

Tai Penpak Sirikul, My (Im)perfect Family (CH3)

Nok Sinjai Plengpanich, The Successor (One31) 👑

Best Supporting Actor

Oak Keerati Sivakua, Reclaim (MONOMAX)

Nhing Nirut Sirijanya, The Next Prince (One31)

Mos Patipan Khoonangeun, How to Suffer 101 (Thai PBS)

Am Amarin Nitibhon, Game Of Succession (CH3) 👑

Duu Sanya Kunakorn, The Successor (One31)

Best Screenplay

The Summer We Met (Thai PBS) 👑

Goddess Bless You from Death (One31)

Good Heavens! I'm a Goose Not a Swan (CH3)

Echoes of the Lost City (One31)

My (Im)perfect Family (CH3)

A roundup of wins for QL and LGBTQIA+ series

Gelboys (iQIYI, One31) has 1 win (Best OST) out of its 6 nominations (Best Drama, Best Director, Best OST, Best Costume, Best Editing, and Best Art Direction).

The Summer We Met (Thai PBS), which features a canonically sapphic protagonist, has 2 wins (Best Drama and Best Screenplay) out of its 3 nominations (Best Drama, Best Screenplay and Best Actress [for the sapphic protagonist]).

Some Superlatives

Most wins goes to Mad Unicorn (Netflix), winning ALL 9 award categories it was nominated in, out of the 10 nominations it received (Dr Palang and Ek Thaneth were both competing in Best Supporting Actor).

The 17th Nataraja Awards had a lot of first time winners in the acting categories. Notable first acting wins are:

Bow Maylada Susri (Good Heavens! I'm a Goose not a Swan) for Best Leading Actress. This is her first Nataraja nomination.

Nonkul Chanon Santinatornkul (Mouse) for Best Leading Actor. This is his 3rd Nataraja nomination.

Nok Sinjai Plengpanich (The Successor) for Best Supporting Actress. This is her 3rd Nataraja nomination.

Am Amarin Nitibhon (Game Of Succession) for Best Supporting Actor. This is his first Nataraja nomination.

Janeyeh Jiranorraphat (Mad Unicorn) for Best Leading Actress. This is her second Nataraja nomination.

Donut Manatsanun Panlertwongskul (The Believers 2) for Best Supporting Actress. This is her 3rd Nataraja nomination.

Ek Thaneth Warakulnukroh (Mad Unicorn) for Best Supporting Actor. This is his first Nataraja nomination. He was also nominated (and competing with himself) in the same category for his performance in Decalcomania.

This would mean that 7 out of 8 acting awards this year went to first time Nataraja winners, 3 of which are also first time nominations.

personal miscellaneous thoughts under the cut ↓

I noted then that competition was TIGHT after Nataraja Awards axed two categories - 7PM evening lakorns and online categories in my previous post on the 17th Nataraja Nominations. I felt like my instinct was validated when the results of the 17th Nataraja Awards came out. For me, it seems inevitable that future BL/GL series (which tend to be under 12 eps and less) and short-form 'premium' series from One31 (OneD originals) are/will be predominantly competing with Netflix Thai originals for voters' consideration. Meanwhile, 7PM evening lakorns (which have always had lower budget, more repetitive predictable plot) are also directly competing with primetime dramas or any dramas longer than 12 eps (see: Goddess Bless You To Death and The Next Prince).

I've read somewhere that this was done for better organization and more tightened award criteria and I guess it makes sense because last few year for the Online category you have 8-12-episode dramas competing with 16-20 episode dramas and then there's the issue of some shows airing on platform first but TV later (MONOMAX series airing on MONO29 usually a few months after online release). The point on the "number of episodes" is kinda moot now that a seven-episode series — Mad Unicorn, has swept Nataraja in this short-form category.

What does feel relevant to me is a somewhat emerging Nataraja voting/winning pattern for works that have strong social themes and issues, or at the very least a clear conveying message. If not to say that for me, it seems like romantic-centric works are not what Nataraja voters tend to go for. In other words, there seems to be a voting preference for works that use romantic subplots as plot device to advance the story or deliver clear messages on social issues than works that use social issues to advance the romantic main plot. Although I doubt this will have any major effects on how series are produced, I do believe that this continuing trend will be crucial to the strategic marketing and positioning of QL and LGBTQ+ series on the market.