Moving movie

James and Toey get romantic

By Tatat Bunnag
Photographs by Varuth Hirunyatheb
and courtesy of Sahamongkol International

Following on from the success of the romantic movies Jan Dara and The Letter, renowned director Nonzee Nimibutr has returned to the subject of love with his latest film, Timeline. The film is highly anticipated since it stars two of Thailand’s hottest young actors — 21-year-old heart-throb Jirayu Tangsrisuk (James) and 24-year-old actress Jarinporn Joonkiat (Toey).

Timeline is a heart-warming movie about love and cherished memories. Tan (James) is a young man who was raised on a strawberry farm by an overprotective mother. Tan decides to move to Bangkok to study at university and start a new life. He soon meets and falls for a free-spirited girl named June, played by Toey.

Student Weekly recently caught up with James and Toey at a press conference to talk about the making of Timeline, which is due to open in cinemas this week.

Student Weekly: How did you both become involved in this film?

James: I knew about the film and was cast in it a long time ago.

Toey: A film company called me last year and said that they wanted me to be in a new movie directed by Nonzee Nimibutr. I couldn’t believe it when they said I’d be starring with James! [Laughs.]

Student Weekly: From the film’s trailer, it looks like there are a lot of crying scenes in the film. Is Timeline a sad movie?

Toey: It’s definitely not a sad movie, but it’s quite moving. Sometimes the characters cry from happiness.

James: The film isn’t meant to be a tear-jerker or anything like that. It’s a movie about positive thinking, good memories and dreams.

Student Weekly: Is it true that Timeline was filmed in both Thailand and Japan?

Toey: We only shot a few scenes in Japan. My character loves travelling a lot, so I was the one who got to go to Japan. I was lucky! [Laughs.]

James: We also filmed at many beautiful places in Thailand, including Doi Ang Khang in Chiang Mai and Si Chang Island.

Student Weekly: James, you have some scenes at a strawberry field in Chiang Mai. Did you enjoy working in nature like that?

James: Yes, I enjoyed it very much. I’m not from Bangkok. I just moved here recently to work in show business, and every day is really hectic. I have to travel and work with noise and pollution most of the time. When I have a chance to be surrounded by nature again, I feel like I’ve found peace.

Student Weekly: What does the title, Timeline, refer to?

Toey: The film is about relationships and communication between two generations. In the past, people wrote letters to communicate and record their memories. Timeline refers to how people communicate in the modern world with social network websites.

James: With all our smart phones and Internet access these days, life seems easier and faster, but it’s also more superficial. People are more careless and less delicate nowadays. I was born in the computer age, and things come and go too fast now.

Student Weekly: You both sing on the soundtrack for Timeline. Can you tell us about that?

Toey: We sing a song called “Krai Khae Nai Kuue Klai [No Matter How Far, You’re Still Near],” originally recorded by the band Getsunova. I don’t normally like singing because I’m shy, but this time I enjoyed it a lot. The song goes really well with our characters in the movie.

James: I agree. It feels magical when we sing that song.

Student Weekly: Do you guys have any special plans for Valentine’s Day?

Toey: I used to feel excited about Valentine’s Day when I was younger. I loved to daydream like most girls. But now I don’t have high hopes or expectations about Valentine’s Day like I used to.

James: I’ve never paid much attention to Valentine’s Day. It’s just another day to me. I think you should try to make every day special for the person you love.

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