View Full Version : Bkk Film Festival:Corruption?
Other than Metropolis, which is the closing film (http://worldfilmbkk.com/html/close.htm) of the World Film Festival of Bangkok (http://worldfilmbkk.com/) , I also recommend "Swimming Pool". If you loved Mulholland Drive (http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0166924/) by David Lynch, you'll love this movie.
To learn more about the "Swimming Pool"
on IMDB.com (http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0324133/)
on Metacritic.com (http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/swimmingpool/)
on Yahoo (http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&cf=info&id=1808467432&intl=us)
Thanks for posting that! And it looks like Metropolis with full orchestra will be the closing film!!!!
I'll call them up and try to get more details.
best
ron
It's this Sunday, Oct 26 at 7 pm @ the Thailand Cultural Center.
did anyone attend the screening of Metropolis???
i missed it--- i wish there was someplace to view vintage films with an audience in Bangkok.
You missed it, Ron!?
And I had thought you would go for sure.....
Well, I went there, in any case. 300 Baht (the medium price range, as there were also tickets for 150 and 500 Baht on offer) afforded me a good view from a seat not too far in the back. The big hall of the Thai Cultural Center is quite impressive. The tiers are steep, so nothing obstructs your sight, no matter where you are placed in the audience. But I have to say the seats weren't that comfortable (compared to almost any cinema in BKK). The screen lowered onto the stage was also rather small, and somehow they didn't manage to completely fit the projection onto it, so the lowest part was cut off, or barely visible on the darker surface below. In some (not all) scenes, the heads of the actors were cut off in the middle as well, but I am really not sure where that effect originated. The film material already seemed to be like that.
All in all it was quite a nice experience, with the live orchestra accompanying the screening of the film.
However, the organisers had combined it with the closing ceremony of the festival, showing of video recaps of the past events and announcement of the price winners, which I all found rather boring. (That can partly be attributed to the fact that I hadn't seen any other festival film or attended any other event before.) The ticket stated the film would be shown from 19.35 to 21.30, but it turned out the audience had to wait until 20.15, so I was getting a bit impatient and thought, "will they be so kind and finally start with the movie........?"
It then lasted for almost exactly 2 hours indeed, and the diligent musicians from the Mahidol University Symphony Orchestra were duly rewarded with a big applause afterwards. The music fitted the movie very well, it underlined the action without being exaggerated or disturbing in any way. Actually it accompanied the pictures so well that while watching, I almost forgot there was an orchestra in the same room.
As for the film itself, well, certainly interesting to finally see this more than famous piece of art. Though it somehow didn't impress me THAT much - after all that I had read about it before, I had imagined it to be more..... well enormous, maybe. Sure, it does have some of the very first special effects in film history, as well as elaborate futuristic settings, impressive mass scenes and strangely expressionistic decor and acting! But still I had imagined more, though I am not completely sure what. (I just thought, so THIS is the film that influenced so many directors and was the template for all the sci-fi movies to come?). And it has to be said that the story is somewhat naive in general and also a bit illogical at times - or was that because some parts were missing?
This was the restored version from 2001, from the German Federal Film Archive (if I remember correctly). An introductory text stated that as much as 25% of the film has been lost over the course of time and that various versions have been circulating and that the goal had been to make this one as true to the original (i.e. the version shown at the film's premiere) as possible. Missing sequences were described in written form, in a font different from the standard captions.
Having said all that, I certainly didn't regret going there! I think it is true that it was a unique event for Thailand.
If anyone had a different impression than me or has seen this film anywhere else before, please share your opinion in this thread.
Thanks ncr, for sharing the experience. I wish I had a chance to see the movie with live orchestra. I have seen the movie about a year ago, though. I had heard of this film since forever. It was praised as one of the best movies of all time. But, I didn't have much of expectation for this film, well, it was made in the 20s, how awesome it'd be, I thought.
But when I actually saw it, I was so impressed with spectial effects, photography, set designs, lighting designs and art directions. I agree with you, ncr, that the story wasn't the best. But, again, it was made almost 90 years ago, I admire the writers who had that kind of vision into the future. For the acting department, it was a bit funny to me at first, but I got over it after 15 minutes and actually enjoyed it afterwards.
Note on theThailand Cultural Center's Main Hall (http://www.thaiculturalcenter.com/mainhall/eng/index.html) I've been there quite a few times. For the seat comfort department, I think it was designed for live/stage performances, so the seats don't have head rests as you might find in movie theatres. I personally love theatre architecture. I've been to a few gorgeous theatres. I just wish we had more beautiful theatres in Bangkok. Here are some pictures of the main hall (http://www.thaiculturalcenter.com/gallary/index.html)
Hi ttaaee,
Thanks for the feedback.
So that version you saw came with a recorded soundtrack? And where did you see it?
It was interesting what you said about "photography, set designs, lighting designs and art directions". I didn't pay much attention to these aspects while watching. Also, I am not an expert for that and cannot really judge the film on it - though I am a hobby photographer and think I have a bit of a natural sense for things like perspective, image composition, visual effects.
I agree with you that the people behind this movie were true pioneers and visionaries and we have to give them a credit for having to work within the still very limited technical possibilities of the 1920s.
Once again, I didn't want to create the impression I didn't like the film or it didn't live up to my expectations - actually I didn't place any expectations in it beforehand.
**********
As for the Thai Cultural Center again......
If you look at this particular photo (good links, btw):
http://www.thaiculturalcenter.com/gallary/15%20Stalls_JPG.html
you can see that the main hall is indeed impressive. As for the seating, it looks good here, but is quite basic. It is NOT uncomfortable, just a bit narrow, and what I disliked the most were probably the armrests, which are really tiny, hard and cheap-looking with their plastic coating.
Don't want to play the bellyacher here, though. It is just an observation. All the rest of the TCC is absolutely fine! ;)
Thanks ncr. I saw the movie in a theatre in the US, with a recorded soundtrack. I bet watching the movie with a full/live orchestra should be much better.
Speaking of beautiful theatre, check out this brand new theatre in Singapore, Esplanade : Theatres on the Bay (http://www.esplanade.com/) It claims to be the center for the regional arts.
Also check out these pictures:
Exterior design (http://www.esplanade.com/htdocs/web/press_centre/press_centre/external.html)
Concert hall (http://www.esplanade.com/SOPApp/espsop/portal_proxy?uri=h-8flLfvY@zow!RHhMu.=2@qN@5_AaXmdk0uqUGqCR54wCOtWU0H 1posJFM)
Theatre (http://www.esplanade.com/SOPApp/espsop/portal_proxy?uri=zKXP@JP9F75l6!t8znxaOU7A-7sy1LqHMEbxARiATtsVKJ2aIEsJFM)
For everyone interested, here's a page with comprehensive information about the film "Metropolis", featuring a resume of the story, images from the movie, a comparison of the different versions and soundtracks that have been released, etc.:
http://www.persocom.com.br/brasilia/metropo.htm
And this site, recommended by the authors of the above, also has lots of interesting information on the story, the actors, the making of, and the persons behind Metropolis:
http://www.kino.com/metropolis/
It is centered around an "all new digital restoration" with original soundtrack, released in 2002 - I am quite sure this is the same version that was shown at the Thai Cultural Center.
You can even see a trailer for the North American Tour of this version here, giving you a glimpse of the movie's most impressive scenes:
http://www.kino.com/metropolis/showtimes.html
Don reports: The only film in it I've ever heard of, but would love to see, is the Oscar-nominated documentary Capturing the Friedmans. BTW: We saw City of Ghosts yesterday, and it's really great if you like film noir and have ever been to Phnom Penh.
I saw the documentary, Capturing the Friedmans (http://www.capturingthefriedmans.com/main.html), months ago. I loved it. It actually re-affirms me that the saying "There are two sides to every story" is always true.
Another documentary I saw on DVD last week is Step Into Liquid (http://www.stepintoliquid.com/). It's a documentary about surfers which have always been mis-sterotyped as druggie/weed-smoking/laid-back dudes. Though, you might have to be a little into this kind of sport to really enjoy the film, the photography is awesome. It would have been even better had I seen it on the big screen as it's meant to be seen. That 66 feet tall wave is awesome!
By the way:
1) There are no special effect shots in this film.
2) In case you went the see the movie and were wondering what "to be stoked" really means (in the surfing contexts), click here (http://www.hawaii.rr.com/leisure/reviews/neal_miyake/2003-08_wistoke.htm).
L.A. couple charged with bribing Thai official
Film producer Gerald Green and his wife, Patricia, paid to secure a contract to run the Bangkok film festival, the FBI says.
By Scott Glover
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
December 19, 2007
A West Hollywood film producer and his wife were arrested by FBI agents Tuesday on charges of bribing a Thai government official to secure a contract to run an annual film festival in Bangkok, authorities said.
Gerald Green, who has more than a dozen producer credits in films, including "Salvador" and this year's critically acclaimed "Rescue Dawn," was arrested at LAX after arriving on a flight from Thailand, said FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.
Green, 75, and his wife Patricia, 52, are charged with paying more than $1.7 million in bribes to an unnamed senior Thai government official to secure the film festival contract and other contracts worth more than $10 million, according to a Justice Department news release.
The Greens own Film Festival Management, a Los Angeles-based company formed in 2003 to bid for the contract to run Bangkok's annual film festival.
According to a criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, the Greens bribed a Thai government official who served as president of the Bangkok film festival and governor of the tourism authority.
The Greens, who could not be reached for comment, face up to 10 years each in federal prison if convicted, authorities said.
scott.glover@latimes.com
LA couples charged over Thai film festival bribes
(BangkokPost.com, Agencies) - The US court inducted a Los Angeles movie executive and his wife on charges of bribing a senior Thai tourism official for $900,000 in order to win contracts to run the 2004 Bangkok International Film Festival (BIFF).
A federal grand jury indicted Gerald Green, 75, and his wife Patricia, 52, late Wednesday for bribing Juthamas Siriwan, who was governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) back then, the US Department of Justice said Thursday.
It said the couple paid $1.7 million in return for the $10 million contract to manage the 2004 BIFF.
Ms Juthamas, who served as the TAT governor from 2002-2006, denied any involvement in the scandal and threatened to sue US authorities last month.
The National Counter Corruption Commission in Thailand is currently investigation the allegations against her.
Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=125244
TOURISM
TAT concludes bribery probe on Jan 20
Tourism Minister Suvit Yodmani said on Friday that the Tourism Authority of Thailand's investigating committee will finalise the probe against a former Tourism Authority of Thailand governor's alleged bribery on January 20.
The committee is chaired by the TAT deputy governor for international marketing, Juthaporn Roengronasa.
Suvit also said that Thailand also needs more information from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
He also noted that the formation of the new government would not disrupt the on-going investigation. He also believed that the bribery scandal would not dent Thailand's reputation.
- The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/01/18/business/business_30062692.php
Yappofloyd
05-10-08, 05:36 PM
I see that there is an artcile today in the Post stating that the FBI is now probing the two for bribes to TAT officials to be awarded contracts associated with the stupid Thai Elite card contract.
Seems appropiate really.
Juthamas engulfed in elite privilege card scandal US COUPLE FACE NEW CHARGES OF BRIBING THAI TOURISM AUTHORITY HEAD AP AND BANGKOK POST 05/10/08
LOS ANGELES: A former governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) _ who has already been accused of bribery connected with the Bangkok International Film Festival _ is now accused in a new scandal relating to the Thailand Elite Card project.
Juthamas Siriwan, the TAT governor from 2002 to 2006, came to Thai authorities attention when US federal authorities accused an American film producer and his wife of paying bribes to a Thai official involved in the annual film festival. Mrs Juthamas denied the claim.
Gerald Green, 75, and his wife Patricia, 52, were originally indicted in January on federal charges of bribing a former governor of the TAT so that they could manage the Bangkok International Film Festival.
A new indictment accuses the Greens of paying $1.8 million (61.8 million baht) in bribes to the TAT official so they would be awarded a variety of lucrative business contracts that brought them $14 million (480 million baht), the US attorney's office said. The couple have pleaded not guilty to the charges in the original indictment. The Greens are to be arraigned on Oct 14 on the new charges.
One of the contracts they received called for their firm to produce an ''elite privilege card'', initiated by the Thaksin Shinawatra administration in 2003, that gave the buyer special privileges in Thailand, such as being escorted through immigration and customs. They also won contracts to design a calendar, a book and a website.
Between 2003 and 2007, the couple allegedly funnelled cash to the Thai tourism official, who used the money to influence the bidding process in favour of the company. While not naming the official, the US Department of Justice said the person was the president of the Bangkok International Film Festival and the TAT governor.
Marilyn Bednarski, the attorney for Mrs Green, said the couple did not make any bribes. ''They are hard workers who employed a lot of people and did a lot of work on these contracts,'' Ms Bednarski said. Calls to Mr Green's attorney were not returned. The new indictment includes charges of bribery, 10 counts of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, seven money-laundering charges, two allegations of false subscription of tax returns, and others.
The charges potentially bring a lengthy total prison sentence, with each money-laundering count alone carrying a maximum of 20 years. Prosecutors are alleging the Greens attempted to cover up their bribery by using different business entities, some with phoney addresses and telephone numbers. Prosecutors claim that the couple used the entities to conceal the money they were paid under the contracts.
In the scandal surrounding the film festival, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has submitted the case to the National Counter Corruption Commission to take legal action against the former TAT governor. The DSI found that there are grounds to take the case further. The case was investigated by the DSI after a complaint was filed against the American couple.
They are accused by US authorities of conspiring to pay bribes of more than $1.7 million (58.2 million baht) to the former governor of the TAT to get a contract to run the film festival, as well as other deals worth a total of more than $10 million (343 million baht). The money was transferred to bank accounts belonging to the former governor's daughter.
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