 |
 |
 |
|
|
||||||||||
|
Movies In-flight movieBy Tatat Bunnag, Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb Thai heroes take wing
Film director Thanit Jitnukul captures that era, telling the memorable and magical story of Siam�s first aviators in his new historical drama, First Flight.
The movie stars 34-year-old actor Sornram Theappitak (Noom) as a peasant named Duang who dreams of becoming an aviator. The movie also features 24-year-old newcomer Vimuttiporn Thongmak (Air) in the role of a military officer�s daughter who steals Duang�s heart. Student Weekly recently caught up with the two stars to talk about First Flight, which is due to hit theatres on January 31. Student Weekly: Noom, you�ve been absent from the big screen for a while. What made you decide to take the role in First Flight? Noom: This movie is about Thai pride. It�s the film that Thailand sent to France for the Cannes Film Festival in 2007 to celebrate cultural and trade relations between Thailand and France. Student Weekly: We heard that the film was in production for a long time and that it was held up by various delays. What happened? Noom: The shooting only took five months, but the computer graphics took three years to complete. It was due for release in Thailand last November, but it was delayed due to the fatal plane crash in Phuket in September. Air: The film started shooting when I was in first year at university, and now I�ve graduated! [Laughs.] Student Weekly: Since this is a period film, did you have to do any special preparation for your roles? Air: It was quite a big task for me. I had to learn a lot about how Thai women behaved during that time � the way they spoke and walked.
Noom: I was only wearing an aviator uniform for most scenes, so I didn�t have any big costume problems. Student Weekly: What was the toughest scene to play? Air: There were a couple of scenes where I had to drive a vintage car. I�d never driven before, so I had to learn everything from the beginning. Noom: The toughest part for me was the make-up. I play a farm boy, and a farm boy is supposed to be in the sun a lot. So before shooting each scene, I had to lie on the floor and have make-up applied to make me look tanned. It was really boring. Student Weekly: What kind of reaction do you expect from audiences? Noom: I hope that it will make Thai people feel happy and proud. The film should inspire young people to believe in their dreams. Air: Yes, and the film is well made, too. Audiences will enjoy beautiful images, including really amazing aerial views of the kingdom. Student Weekly: What are your next movie projects? Noom: My next film should be coming out pretty soon. It�s an action movie about a gifted fighter with a magical Hanuman tattoo. Air: I haven�t taken any acting roles because I�ve just started a job as a flight attendant!
|
latest news top story
|
Back in the early 1900s, most Thais had never seen an aeroplane. Many
people in the kingdom were superstitious
and
believed that the sky was the exclusive
domain of
the birds. Few could have imagined that a large hunk of machinery could take
wing. 
American
brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright made the first successful aeroplane flights
on December 17, 1903.
It also marks the 100th anniversary of Thai aviation. I think it�s a
special honour for me to have been chosen for the film. 
I had problems with the period-style costumes and accessories, too. I was up at 4 am every morning
just getting my hair right.
