Funny thing. I've been keeping an eye on Kongkiat Khomsiri's Muay Thai Chaiya for a long time now, ever since seeing the very first promo reel prepared for it at the American Film Market back in November. I've seen two other reels from it since then and could've sworn we'd written a fair bit about the film in these pages - would've sworn to it if anyone had asked - but after seeing a post at 24 Frames Per Second announcing that the first trailer had appeared online and thinking that couldn't possibly be right I did a search of our archives here and lo and behold, it was. Virtually nothing from the film has been available publicly before now so we simply haven't written about it.
Now, here's why you should care. Beyond the simple fact that the promos have all looked fantastic and they hired a real muay thai fighting champ to play the lead - they actually had to send him to learn screen fighting after he hurt a few stunt men on set - Kongkiat Khomsiri is best known as one of the team of directors behind the hugely over-achieving Art of the Devil 2 and also the screen writer for Wisit Sasanatieng's The Unseeable, a favor Sasanatieng repays here by serving as Khomsiri's art director. If you've seen any of his work (Tears of the Black Tiger, Citizen Dog) you know why having Sasanatieng as an art director is cause for celebration. Plus there's the fact that the venerable WiseKwai - who has excellent taste in such things - caught the first ever screening of the film when it closed the Bangkok Film Festival and rated it a 9/10. So, off you go, then ...
Looks good, but I had to laugh at the synth knock-off of the REQUIEM FOR A DREAM music that was in every damn trailer made for the last few years. It was, though, far less irritating than the actual REQUIEM music has become.
In what sense was "Art of the Devil 2" an over-achiever? Do you mean the twist ending? 'Cause if so, I understand what you're saying but if not, I really don't. It was a big waste, I thought.
Wisit on art direction has piqued my interest (I've only seen "Tears of the Black Tiger" but if not for that, I'm a fan). Will have to watch the trailer when I get home.
If you've seen the first Art of the Devil you'd see how the second one overacheived. First one was wretched and poorly shot, to boot. Second one's trash, too, but it's fun trash with a lot of good moments and some legit shock.
Well, having not liked 2, I don't think I want to backtrack and see one. I saw two based on some recommendations and on the spur of the moment and while I don't regret having watched it, I wish it were better....a lot better. I think the second was "wretched" but with a higher budget from what you tell me of 1. Ah well. Different strokes.