Rookie actor travels through time
By Tatat Bunnag
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb
and courtesy of Mono Picture
Did you know
Yanyong Kuruaungkoul directed the music video for rock band Paradox on their song “Mai Mee Tur (Glong Duang Jai)” [“Without You (Heart-Shaped Box)].”
What would you do if you found out you could travel through time? Director Yanyong Kuruaungkoul explores the time-machine idea in his new romantic comedy 2538 Altermajeeb (Alternative 1995).
Alternative 1995 stars 18-year-old rookie actor Nathan Ramnarong in the role of a teenager named Kong, who — by chance — travels back in time to 1995, when alternative rock music dominated the music and fashion worlds. Kong is then forced to try to change his past in order to improve his future.
Student Weekly recently caught up with Nathan and talked to him about the making of Alternative 1995, which is now open in cinemas.
Student Weekly: Can you tell us more about the plot of Alternative 1995?
Nathan: It’s a new comedy film that involves romance, time travel and alternative rock music. It’s about a guy who one day finds his dad’s old pager in a storage room. The pager suddenly rings, and Kong decides to use a public phone to call back the number on it. Somehow Kong magically gets pulled back to the year 1995.
Student Weekly: What is your character in the movie like?
Nathan: I play a guy named Kong. He’s like a normal teenage kid who spends all day staring at his mobile phone and computer screen. After he is sent back in time to 1995, he meets his future parents in high school and must help them repair the damage to history by making his parents-to-be fall in love, and finds a way to return to the present.
Student Weekly: Why 1995?
Nathan: I don’t know much about what was happening back in 1995 because I wasn’t even born at that time [Laughs]. But from what my mom told me, 1995 was the year when alternative rock and Britpop were very popular around the world and in Thailand as well. So the soundtrack to the film includes many popular Thai bands from that era such as The Must, Proud, Smile Buffalo, Ornaree and many more.
Student Weekly: Are you a fan of those artists as well?
Nathan: Honestly, I don’t know any of them. [Laughs.] I was introduced to these bands after working on this film, although I think I must have heard one of Proud’s songs before, in my mom’s car or something. But I do like American alternative rock bands like Nirvana.
Student Weekly: What was it like working with popular actress like Baifern Pimchanok?
Nathan: Baifern is a cool person and very easy to work with. She never acts like a superstar when you are working with her. She’s very humble and friendly. I’ve learned a lot from working with her.
Student Weekly: Are you a social media fanatic too?
Nathan: No, not really. I’m not the kind of person who goes crazy over social websites or apps at all. I don’t like the idea of taking your own picture all day long and posting them online. It’s kind of stupid, don’t you think? I do have an Instagram account now, but only because I need it to gain publicity for my work, that’s all.
Student Weekly: Why should movie fans go to see Alternative 1995?
Nathan: The film is filled with charm, wit and some heartfelt moments. Time travel is maybe a subject that has been visited many times in the Thai film industry, but I’m sure this one has its own unique touch to it.
Vocabulary
- alternative (adj): different from the usual or traditional way in which something is done
chance (n): the way that some things happen without any cause that you can see or understand
dominate (v): to be the largest, highest or most obvious thing
pager (n): a small electronic device that you carry around with you and that shows a message or lets you know when somebody is trying to contact you
fanatic (n): a person who is extremely enthusiastic about something
publicity (n): the attention that is given to somebody or something by newspapers, television, etc.
charm (n): a feature or quality that is pleasing or attractive
wit (n): the ability to say or write things that are both clever and amusing
heartfelt (adj): showing strong feelings that are sincere
