Mae Nak’s Mak

Tong directs a ghostly comedy

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb
and courtesy of GTH

Mae Nak Phra Khanong is an all-time favourite ghost story among Thai people. With that in mind, prominent filmmaker Banjong Pisanthanakun (Tong), who produced the blockbusters Shutter, 4bia, Phobia 2 and Hello Stranger, recently made the ghost movie Pee Mak Phra Khanong, which is about Mae Nak’s husband, Pee Mak.

After the tremendous successes of 4bia and Phobia 2, many viewers told Tong that they wanted to see the four buddy characters in those films, played by Pueak Pongsathorn, Floyd Nuttapong, Bomb Gattapat and Chain Attaroot, together again in a new movie. So, for the romantic comedy horror production Pee Mak, Tong brought the four buddies back together again.

In Pee Mak, Mak (Mario Maurer) has to leave his pregnant wife Mae Nak (Mai Davika) for military service during a war. He then makes friends with four guys who discover that Mae Nak is a ghost. The four friends then have to try to find the right moment to break the news to Mak.

Student Weekly recently interviewed Tong after the Pee Mak press conference at the GMM Grammy office. The 32-year-old director eagerly told us about what went on behind the scenes during the making of Pee Mak.

Student Weekly: Why do you like to work with Ter Chantavit to create your film scripts?

Tong: He has a talent for creating great gags and our tastes are similar. He’s been helping me write scripts since 4bia. We get along really well.

Student Weekly: How did you come up with the idea to make a Mae Nak movie?

Tong: After 4bia and Phobia2, I always heard viewers saying that they wanted to see the four friends from those films in another movie. Ter came up with the idea that the four buddies live near Mak, who lives with his ghost wife. After that, we started coming up hilarious ideas right away.

Student Weekly: How did you feel about working with those four actors again?

Tong: They’re all enthusiastic, hilarious and fun to work with. They have major roles in this movie, just like Mario Maurer.

Student Weekly: Did you also enjoy working with Mario and Mai?

Tong: The shoot was incredibly smooth. We were fortunate to have them in the movie. They’re nice, disciplined and determined to do a good job with their acting. They’re always concerned about their work. They’re real actors, not just celebrities.

Student Weekly: What was it like directing the war scenes in the film?

Tong: I’m proud of being the first GTH director to create a bomb! [Laughs.] I was worried initially because I’d never worked with these kinds of special effects before, but it went well. Our crew did great job. They created the battle fields in Saraburi.

Student Weekly: Which scene in the film was the most difficult to shoot?

Tong: Toward the end of the movie, there’s a scene where the characters try to escape by boat. We had to film underwater, which was tough. It took several days to do it.

Student Weekly: Do you have any special message for viewers who are looking forward to seeing this movie?

Tong: I always try to make movies that I would want to see. Though working on TV commercials is easier, I make movies because I have stories that I really want to tell. After we finished making this film, I wanted it to be released as quickly as possible because I can’t wait for everybody to see it!

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