Disco duo

Kao and Pleng star in a retro story

By Wasita Cespedes
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb

Set in 1970s when disco music was popular, the upcoming movie Took Kae Rak Pang Mak (Chiang Khan Story) was directed by prominent filmmaker Tom Yuthlert, known for his previous hit movies February and Buppah Rahtree (Flower of the Night).

Chiang Khan Story is a romantic comedy set in Chiang Khan district of Loei. Talented 18-year-old actor Jirayu La-Ongmanee (Kao) plays a movie lover from Chiang Khan named Took Kae. Took Kae has sweet boyhood memories of a girl named Pang, played by Chontida Asavahame (Pleng), 19. Took Kae later works with a movie crew in Bangkok on a film starring Pang, who has become an actress. Though Pang appears to be out of his league, Took Kae doesn’t give up on his dreams of being with her.

Student Weekly recently met up with Kao and Pleng to hear all about Chiang Khan Story, which is due to be released on August 28.

Student Weekly: How do you feel about the disco era?

Kao: I know several singers and bands from the time when fashion, music and dance were all in the disco style. Thai pop culture was influenced by Europe and the US. My mom told me that everybody basically dressed the same way back then.

Pleng: The fashions in the disco era were unique and can be instantly recognised. Women curled their hair and wore high-waist pants, while men had long hair.

Student Weekly: Have you ever felt that fashions in the disco era were a bit ridiculous?

Pleng: No, I don’t see disco fashions or music as ridiculous. High-waist pants, crop tops and disco music are interesting and worth remembering.

Kao: The disco age was a memorable time. Back then, everybody communicated without mobile phones or Internet. People had to be patient about contacting one another. It was a meaningful time.

Student Weekly: What was it like acting in a retro movie?

Kao: Part of the charm of making a movie is being able to go back to a previous period. It’s like stepping into another world. It might not be an exact copy of the period, but at least we can see how people lived during at that time.

Pleng: It was very interesting because Kao and I didn’t experience that period. Today people mainly communicate through the Internet and social networking, which didn’t exist in those days. It was intriguing to learn how relationships differed back then.

Student Weekly: Kao, did you find Took Kae a difficult character to play?

Kao: It seems like an easy character, but he has a deep personality. Took Kae has an interesting background and complicated thoughts. If I’d interpreted the character too shallowly, he would have seemed like somebody who doesn’t think much. It was tough.

Student Weekly: Pleng, how did you feel about acting in your first movie?

Pleng: I had lots of different feelings. I felt stressed, but it was also fun because I learned a lot of new things. I’ve never had any acting lessons, so I just tried hard to understand the script and learned what I could from Kao and the director.

Student Weekly: What was the director Tom Yuthlert like to work with?

Pleng: He was great. He helped me a lot. During one emotional scene, he helped me to interpret the script and gain a better understanding of the character.

Kao: This movie was his brainchild. He also wrote the script, so he understands the story perfectly and was able to tell us exactly what he wanted.

Student Weekly: Which part of the movie impressed you the most?

Pleng: Pang is a character that always looks ahead. She has a lot of hard times, but she tries to overlook them and focus on solving problems. I’m impressed that the movie has so many beautiful moments and thoughtful ideas.

Student Weekly: Why should everybody check out Chiang Khan Story?

Kao: This film will make you recall memories from the past where you wish you could go back and fix things. But after the movie ends, viewers will feel happy and ready to move on.

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