Crime time

Gangster gang hits the screen

By Tatat Bunnag
Photographs courtesy
by Sahamongkol Film International

Back in 1997, the action drama movie Dang Bireley’s and Young Gangsters (2499 Antapan Krong Muang) was a big hit. The film was based on real-life gangsters in Bangkok in the late 1950s. Recently, Slice director Kongkiat Khomsiri decided to revisit the world of ‘50s Thai mafia gangs in his new movie, Antapan (Gangster).

Gangster is about rebellious young buddies Piak and Tong, who are fans of Western movies and rock ‘n’ roll music. The two friends try to spice up their lives by joining a mafia gang.

Gangster stars many well-known actors, including Somchai Khemklad (Tao), 42-year-old Krissada Sukosol (Noi) and 21-year-old Krissada Supapprom (Big).

Student Weekly recently caught up with Noi and Big to hear all about the making of Gangster, which is due to hit cinemas this week.

Student Weekly: Can you guys tell us about the characters you play in Gangster?

Noi: I play an experienced thug named Jod. Jod and his best friend Dang are well known in the Thai mafia world. He always seems serious, but deep down he has a good heart. After years of being a gangster he starts to feel tired of that kind of life and wants to quit.

Big: Piak is a teenager who loves art and has a job painting posters for a theatre. But he also dreams of joining the mafia like his idols Jod and Dang.

Student Weekly: Noi, did you enjoy acting in an action movie?

Noi: It was very challenging for me. It was quite different from the other films I’ve worked on. A Moment in June was very romantic and 13 Beloved was a thriller, but Gangster is an action film with a serious, dramatic story.

Student Weekly: Big, was it hard portraying the role of Piak?

Big: I’m actually quite similar to Piak. He’s very calm, quiet and thoughtful, and he cares a lot about his friends. I’m exactly like that too, so it wasn’t too hard for me to get into character. The hardest part was learning the way teenagers spoke, looked and acted in the 1950s.

Student Weekly: Noi, you and Tao Somchai are both experienced actors. What was it like working together for the first time?

Moi: Tao has been in the film business much longer than me. He started acting when he was about 15 years old. It was an honour for me to work with him and all the other professional actors in this film. And I think the Dang character suited Tao really well.

Student Weekly: Big, how did you feel to be working with Noi?

Big: I was really excited, especially on the first day of filming because I knew I’d be acting in a scene with him. I’d seen Noi as a rock singer onstage, but I didn’t know what he was really like. Both Noi and Tao were really nice to work with. I’m proud to have had an opportunity to work with them.

Student Weekly: One of the highlights of Gangster is the retro fashions and settings. Can you tell us something about that?

Noi: I had to grow my hair longer and use hair wax for the movie. The 1950s was when many Thais started dressing in Western fashions, including tight shirts and sunglasses. People wanted to look like ‘50s idols like Elvis Presley and James Dean.

Student Weekly: What type of movies do you guys like to watch?

Big: I enjoy all kinds of movies.

Noi: I prefer dramas with deep and serious stories. I like films that viewers can discuss and think about after watching.

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