Nonzee Nimibutr's Queens of Pattani has been one of our most anticipated films pretty much from the day it was announced. It's not just that it's the Jan Dara director's first project in far too long or the massive budget. It's the combination of talent behind the camera - Nimibutr is one of the best in all of Asia - in front of the camera - with Ananda Everingham and Dan Chupong starring - and the huge, mythic, epic scope of the thing that combines to make this a sort of perfect storm. Well, swinging by the Sahamongkol booth yesterday I was treated to a brand new eight minute promo reel from the film and left pretty stunned. The new reel pretty much takes you through the entire plot of the film - so don't expect it to ever be released online anywhere officially - and gives a good look at the sumptuous production design, the epic battle sequences, all of the key players, some of the martial arts and a healthy dose of the underwater CGI work - Everingham's character is a master of dark magic that allows him to control fish and direct them in battle - and it doesn't strike a single weak note anywhere. Eye candy o'plenty, plus god attention to detail and character, plus a healthy dose of adrenaline make this a must. There's still some color grading to do but this is basically done and ready for release early in the new year.
Great to hear. Hopefully a new trailer will pop up online soon (and in something more than cruddy flash).
This was one of my top projects to watch for in 08. Sounds like it'll be worth it.