Just plane funny

Comedy couple create chaos

By Tatat Bunnag

Whenever Pongsak Pongsuwan (Teng Therdtheng) and Choosak Eamsuwan (Nong Cha Cha Cha) team up for a new movie, comedy devotees know that it will be a film they won't want to miss. The funny buddies recently got together again for Sahamongkol International's latest hilarious adventure, Teng Nong Jeewon Bin.

Directed by Teng, Teng Nong Jeewon Bin is a chaotic story about a pilgrim monk (Teng) and a wealthy jeweller (Nong), who share an international flight. The unlikely pair encounter many unpredictable and amusing incidents during their long, strange trip.

Also in the film is a top cast of comedians including Somchai Khemklad, Khom Chuan Chuen, Tukky Sudarat and Somchai Sakdikul.

Student Weekly recently had an exclusive interview with Teng (45) and Nong (38) to talk about Teng Nong Jeewon Bin before it hits movie theatres this week.

Student Weekly: Can you guys tell us a bit about Teng Nong Jeewon Bin?

Nong: I play a millionaire and Teng is a monk who travels around the word to learn about religion.

Teng: My character is supposed to be going back to Thailand, but all the flights are fully booked and I end up stuck at the airport. Nong's character has a private plane and he offers me a ride. The craziness starts from there!

Student Weekly: This is the third feature film that you guys have made together. How did it go this time?

Teng: It was great fun, as always. We've known each other for more than 30 years and we get along really well. This is our third film together, but it's very different from the first two.

Nong: This film is really special. People see us working together all the time on TV, but finding time to make a feature film is difficult because we're both so busy. Four years have passed since our last movie together.

Student Weekly: Teng, how did you come up with the idea for this film?

Teng: This project was really difficult, so I'm glad I accomplished it. I had the idea for this movie for a long time. I thought it would be crazy to have a monk travelling on a plane that hits some severe turbulence during the flight, then have the monk take control of the plane and save everybody.

Student Weekly: Did you have any problems during the filming?

Teng: The main problem was the weather. We shot most of the film in Kanchanaburi and it was extremely hot there. The scene where it's supposed to be early in the morning was actually shot at 2 pm. We shot it on a real aeroplane and we couldn't turn on the air conditioner, so we had to keep wiping the sweat off the actors to make it look realistic.

Student Weekly: Lots of popular actors appear in the movie, including Tao Somchai Khemklad. What was it like working with him?

Nong: Teng knew that I was friends with Tao, so he asked me to invite Tao to play the part of the leader of a gang of bandits.

Teng: Tao is a great actor. He looks so convincing playing a bad guy! [Laughs.] He kept asking me to do a funny scene with him in the film, but I couldn't allow that because it would have ruined his character.

Student Weekly: Teng, were you afraid that the film might be banned because of the monk character?

Teng: It's just a comedy and it shouldn't be taken too seriously. My character is a good monk who is very well behaved. It‘s the other characters in the film who do all the crazy and inappropriate things.

Student Weekly: What makes Teng Nong Jeewon Bin particularly special?

Teng: This isn't a typical comedy. Viewers will learn some good moral lessons from the film.

Nong: The film is full of jokes that Teng had been collecting for a long time. I guarantee that this movie will entertain you. If anybody doesn't find it funny, you can call me directly to complain! [Laughs.]