Killer thriller

Young stars make a murder mystery

By Tatat Bunnag

Photographs by Varuth Hirunyatheb and courtesy of Sahamongkol Film International

Leading local film director Nonzee Nimibutr, known for his internationally renowned films Dang Bireley’s and Young Gangsters, Nang Nak, and Jan Dara, is set to release his seventh movie, Kon Loke Jit (Distortion).

Distortion is a psychological thriller about a psychologist, a scientist, a businessman and a student whose lives unintentionally become entwined with a series of horrifying murders.

Distortion stars 21-year-old actor Artit Tangwiboonpanit (Bank) and 21-year-old actress Boonyisa Chantrarachai (Poppy), who came second in this year’s Miss Thailand Universe competition.

Student Weekly recently caught up with the two rising stars at the movie press conference to chat about the making of Distortion, due to hit cinemas on May 17.

Student Weekly: Can you tell us a bit about your backgrounds and how you came to work on this project?

Poppy: I started out in show business when I won the Dutchie Girl beauty contest in 2006. I was also featured in music videos for Da Endorphine and Bie The Star. Director Nonzee invited me to the casting session for Distortion.

Bank: I took part in the Idol Project 1 contest in 2009. After that, I did some modelling work for TV commercials and music videos. I didn’t really plan to be an actor, but once I had the opportunity to be in this movie, I became interested in having an acting career.

Student Weekly: What are your characters like in Distortion?

Bank: My character is a psychologist named Kuen, who specialises in criminal cases. He’s very sharp and is good at solving murders.

Poppy: I play a forensic scientist named Tien. She meets Kuen at a crime scene. It was quite hard for me to play Tien because she’s meant to be 28 years old and I’m only 21.

Student Weekly: What was it like working with Nonzee?

Poppy: I’ve been a fan of his movies since I saw Nang Nak back in 1999. I think he’s a good director with a really unique vision.

Bank: He’s a bit of a perfectionist. Once he stopped shooting a scene half way through just so that he could straighten up my shirt collar!

Student Weekly: What’s the most unusual thing about Distortion?

Bank: Like Nonzee’s other films, you won’t be able to predict what happens. It’s a really good psychological thriller with a complex story full of plot twists.

Student Weekly: Are you both fans of thriller movies?

Poppy: I used to only enjoy dramas and romantic comedies. I never really paid attention to the thriller genre until I worked on this movie, so I never realised how complex this type of film can be. I’m trying to become more open-minded about movies.

Bank: I love films that make me feel happy. I get really stressed out with my hectic life, so I like to relax when I watch movies. My favourite recent film was Real Steel.

Poppy: I love the new film Battleship. It was so good that I might go to see it again.

Student Weekly: How do you manage to maintain good grades at university while you’re working so hard with your showbiz careers?

Poppy: You need to have discipline and the ability to schedule your time well.

Bank. It’s quite tough. At first I hated the fact that I never had time to hang out with my friends. But now I know that I need to make the most of these opportunities for my future.