One Day Romances Thai Night

THAI NIGHT

The 12th Osaka Asian Film Festival includes a special focus this year on Thai cinema. Five features are screening at the festival including Banjong PISANTHANAKUN’s ONE DAY, which had a screening on Wednesday night attended by the director and stars Chantavit DHANASEVI and Nittha JIRAYUNGYURN.

The evening began with a speech by Deputy Consul-General of Thailand, Mrs. Chanida KAMALANAVIN, who said that there has been a strong relationship between Thailand and Japan for more than 6,000 years. Noting that the event marks the 130th anniversary of the founding of diplomatic relations between the two countries, she stated her belief that the two cultures still have much to gain from each other.

Mrs. KAMALANAVIN said that the Thai film industry has contributed considerably to the Thai economy, including its post-production facilities and equipment rental services that continue to attract international film and TV projects. She stated that the international community recognizes Thailand's contribution to world cinema in several ways, including at various festivals that have helped raise the profile of Thai film considerably.

Next Ms. ASANO Naomi, Director of the Osaka Liaison Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, representing Mr.SUZUKI Yoichi, Ambassador in charge of Kansai and Ambassador for International Economic Affairs, congratulated the Thai Night event. She noted that there are various anniversary events taking place this year in Japan to commemorate relations between the two countries, and hopes that the festival will help foster and build the momentum at the start of 2017. Ms.WADA Aya, Director for International Affairs, Osaka City Government, also took the stage to read a letter from the Mayor of Osaka, Mr. YOSHIMURA Hirofumi.

Guests attending the evening, who were brought on stage before the film, were PISANTHANAKUN, DHANASEVI and JIRAYUNGYURN, from ONE DAY; Anocha SUWICHAKORNPONG, director of competition film BY THE TIME IT GETS DARK; and directors Chayanop BOONPRAKOB and Kriangkrai VACHIRATAMPORN of omnibus A GIFT.

Before the screening, the director and cast of ONE DAY introduced the film to its sold-out audience. Director PISANTHANAKUN said, "Every time I get to see my own film, I'm excited. It's partly shot in Japan, so I'm especially excited to watch it here." Actor DHANASEVI said, "I'm happy to be in Osaka and to see the local audience's reaction. I hope the relationship between our cultures become deeper." Actress JIRAYUNGYURN added, "I'm very happy that the film is invited to this festival. Please support Thai cinema!"

"ONE DAY"

After staying to watch the screening together with the audience, the director and actors took questions about their film.

Asked whether he was trying to rewrite the Thai rom-com genre, PISANTHANAKUN said, "It's not about Thai cinema; it's my own style. I wanted to make a romantic drama this time. Of course, some part of the film is comedy, but I wanted to focus on the film's romantic side." When asked about the use of old songs, he said, "I love 1990s Hollywood romances! But these days there are so few of them, so I wanted to make my own. And just because I like old things, I chose to add two old songs to the film."

Asked why he chose JIRAYUNGYURN as the female lead, the director said, "While writing the script with my co-writer, we were already thinking of her, after seeing her face in commercials. She did a video audition and she was immediately chosen after that." JIRAYUNGYURN added, "I'd seen so many films of the director, so I really wanted to work with him. Before the shoot, we did a lot of workshops. The director explained many details of the character, which gave me confidence in my performance."

Actor DHANASEVI was asked whether he has any plans to be a film director himself after co-writing ONE DAY. He said, "Yes, that's one thing that I want to try, but for now I want to focus on my screenwriting and my acting. And maybe someday, in the future, I'll try to direct my own film.”