New releases that hit Thai cinemas for your viewing pleasure.
June 7
Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts
Directed by Steven Caple Jr.
Who’s in it?
Michelle Yeoh, Pete Davidson and Colman Domingo.
What’s it about?
Set in the 1990s, the film will take audiences on an action-packed, globetrotting adventure as the Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons join the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons on Earth. Noah, a sharp young guy from Brooklyn, and Elena, an ambitious, talented artifact researcher, are swept up in the conflict as Optimus Prime and the Autobots face a terrifying new nemesis bent on their destruction named Scourge.
Why watch it?
Part of the film's plot takes inspiration from the TV series Beast Wars: Transformers (1996), which features the Maximals and Predacons, descendants of the Autobots and Decepticons, who can transform into different animals and creatures.
Il Buco
Directed by Michelangelo Frammartino.
Who’s in it?
Nicola Lanza, Antonio Lanza and Leonardo Larocca.
What’s it about?
The extraordinary adventure of the young members of the Piedmont Speleological Group who, having already explored all the caves of northern Italy, changed course in August 1961 and went South to explore other caves unknown to man.
Why watch it?
After the initial sequence on the high-rise there are no more subtitles. There is still conversation or speech, but there is no need for literal understanding to know what is going on.
June 8
JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass at House Samyan
Directed by Oliver Stone.
Who’s in it?
John F. Kennedy, Oliver Stone and David Mantik.
What’s it about?
Declassified files related to President Kennedy's assassination in a far larger context, aiming to shine more light on what really happened in 1963.
Why watch it?
Narrator Donald Sutherland played "Mr. X" in Oliver Stone's film JFK.
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig.
Who’s in it?
Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates.
What’s it about?
When her family moves from the city to the suburbs, 11-year-old Margaret navigates new friends, feelings, and the beginning of adolescence.
Why watch it?
The author of the book that the movie is based on, Judy Blume, has a cameo as a woman walking a dog.
June 9
Lan se da men (Blue Gate Crossing)
Directed by Chih-yen Yee.
Who’s in it?
Gwei Lun-Mei, Bo-lin Chen and Yolin Liang.
What’s it about?
An is-she-or-isn't-she gay comedy focused on a Taiwanese teen, the boy she might like, and the girl she may love.
Why watch it?
The love story is about teenagers who don't love the right person.
Chun gwong cha sit (Happy Together)
Directed by Kar-Wai Wong.
Who’s in it?
Leslie Cheung, Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Chang Chen.
What’s it about?
A couple take a trip to Argentina but both men find their lives drifting apart in opposite directions.
Why watch it?
Chang Chen's storyline was completely improvised. Director Kar-Wai Wong discovered the restaurant, China Central, by chance and, seizing Leslie Cheung's absence due to a concert tour, decided to keep shooting. Chang's plot was thus created.
Close
Directed by Lukas Dhont.
Who’s in it?
Eden Dambrine, Gustav De Waele and Émilie Dequenne.
What’s it about?
Leo and Remi are two thirteen-year-old best friends, whose seemingly unbreakable bond is suddenly, tragically torn apart. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, Lukas Dhont's second film is an emotionally transformative and unforgettable portrait of the intersection of friendship and love, identity and independence, and heartbreak and healing.—
Why watch it??
Director Lukas Dhont met his leading actor Eden Dambrine on a train ride. The young boy was sitting in front of him and speaking to friends, but Dhont couldn't hear what he was saying, as he himself was listening to Max Richter's music. Only watching his facial expressions, he found Eden the perfect fit for the character, and approached him and asked if he would want to take part in a casting. Dambrine immediately said yes and eventually got offered the role of Leo.
Kyuso Wa Chizu No Yume Wo Miru (The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese)
Directed by Isao Yukisada.
Who’s in it?
Noriko Kijima, Ryo Narita and Tadayoshi Ohkura.
What’s it about?
Kyoichi, a man with an indecisive personality, constantly cheats. That is, until his wife sends a P. I to investigate his affairs. But what will happen when the man she sent wants to fulfil his own desires?
Why watch it??
The film was part of the line-up at Toronto Japanese Film Festival in Toronto, Canada in 2021.
Portrait de la jeune fille en feu (Portrait Of A Lady On Fire)
Directed by Céline Sciamma.
Who’s in it?
Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel and Luàna Bajrami.
What’s it about?
On an isolated island in Brittany at the end of the eighteenth century, a female painter is obliged to paint a wedding portrait of a young woman.
Why watch it?
The paintings by Marianne were all created by painter Hélène Delmaire, whom Noémie Merlant worked closely with to inform her character's perspectives and sight lines when painting.
Moonlight
Directed by Barry Jenkins.
Who’s in it?
Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris and Trevante Rhodes.
What’s it about?
A young African-American man grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood.
Why watch it?
Naomie Harris had to shoot her entire role in three days, due to a visa problem. The scenes spanned 15 years in the character's life and were filmed out of sequence.
I’m A Man
Directed by ML Panthewanop Devakul.
Who’s in it?
Likit Eakmongkol, Dr. Seree Wongmonta, Chalit Fuangarom, Surasak Wongthai, Wasan Uttamayothin and Marut Sarowat.
What’s it about?
The 1997 film is about a group of friends, one of whom is transgender but has to pretend to be man.
Why watch it?
I'm A Man is the first Thai film considered groundbreaking in its content by presenting the story of katoeys and the transgendered in Thai society. Based on “The Boys In The Band” by Dr. Seree Wongmonta, which it began as a stage play at the Montien Hotel.
