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Tears
of the Black Tiger |
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Year: |
2000 |
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Director: |
Wisit
Sasanatieng |
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Producer: |
Nonzee
Nimibutr |
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Visual
FX: |
Oxide Pang Chun |
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Cast: |
Chartchai Ngamsarn, Stella Malucchi, Supakorn Kitsuwan,
Arawat Roungwut, Sombat Metanee, Naiyana Chewanan, Pairoj
Jaising, Kunchi Kwangpracha |
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The
Skinny: |
The world is in shades of pastel green and pink. Both
baddies and heroes laugh maniacally for no reason, and
overacting is greatly encouraged. It's a mix of spaghetti
western, South American telenovelas (ultra-melodramatic
soap operas) and Thai folk songs. It's Tears of The
Black Tiger, one of the most entertaining films
of Thailand's New Wave. |
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Review
by LunaSea: |
Many people would be surprised
if told that Thailand used to produce over 100 films
a year. Sure, few people outside the country have had
any chance to watch them. In addition to that, the way
they've been handled by distributors over the years
is shameful. However, that's still an important fact
to consider when talking about current Thai Cinema.
Because of the World Trade Organization's influence,
the eightees saw the country's film production shrink
to just a few dozen a year, and creativity began to
run slim. In recent years, a few people decided to change
things. Directors Nonzee Nimibutr and Penek Ratanaruang,
screenwriter Wisit Sasanatieng, and the Pang Brothers
(who do just about everything, from directing to production)
started to create films which showed vitality, creativity,
and an uncompromising edge.
One of the most interesting
Thai films of the last few years is Wisit Sasanatieng's
debut. With its nostalgic feeling and cheesy story,
the film is a throwback to old Thai genre Cinema of
the fifties and sixties, when Technicolor and vivid
composition were the rules. This film features one of
the most exceptionally rich color palettes you'll ever
see. Every shot is carefully crafted to make it memorable,
such as black & white scenes with details shown
in pink and green, and manipulation of shadows and light.
There are also great sets and costumes, which add to
the "tribute to the old days" feeling.
Rumpoey (Stella Malucchi)
and Dum (Chartchai Ngamsarn) come from two different
families. Rumpoey is noble and rich, while Dum is poor.
His father is a poor farmer, living in the countryside.
The evacuation of Bangkok during WWII brings them together,
and they instantly begin a love story which is doomed
from the beginning - socially and economically. They
meet again ten years later, and Dum promises her he
will come back and live with her forever. However, fate
cheats the two, and keeps them apart. Dum finds his
father killed by outlaws, and Rumpoey is forced into
an engagement with the Police Captain. As a result of
his tragedy, Dum becomes The Black Tiger, the most feared
outlaw in the land. Fate will bring them back together
one more time, but will they be able to continue their
love story? Or will tragedy strike again?
Don't let the film's
arthouse acclaim mislead you: Tears of the Black
Tiger is really easy to enjoy. It's silly but also
intelligent at the same time. It draws influences from
many directors and styles, such as pioneer director
Ratana Pestonji's fifties films (Forever Yours,
Country Hotel and Dark Heaven), Sergio
Leone's spaghetti westerns, classic chanbara, Bollywood
musicals, exploitation films and even anime. It also
parodies the cowboy melodrama's formula, but also retains
a style of its own. The overstated romance here is intentional,
as it recalls how Thai films were made back then, without
improvisation and with a maniacal attention to details
like facial expression, clothes, sets.
A soundtrack that mixes
Ennio Morricone-style ballads with Thai folk songs carries
the film throughout its tragic romance, cheesy battles
and the weird plot developments. With gorgeous cinematography
that brings us back to the glory of Technicolor, intelligent
editing and smooth direction, Wisit's debut convinces
on all counts. Just don't take it too seriously. It
has cowboys with bazookas, for God's sake! (LunaSea
2002) |
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Availability: |
DVD (USA)
Region 1 NTSC
Magnolia Entertainment
16x9 Anamorphic Widescreen
Thai and English Language Tracks
Dolby Digital 5.1
Removable English Subtitles and Chinese subtitles |
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DVD
(United Kingdom)
Region 2 PAL
Pathé
16x9 Anamorphic Widescreen
Thai Language Track
Dolby Digital 5.1
Removable English Subtitles |
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VCD (Hong Kong)
Edko Video
Widescreen
Thai Language Track
Stereo
English & Chinese Subtitles |
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image
courtesy of www.filmbangkok.net
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| LoveHKFilm.com
Copyright ©2002-2008 Ross Chen |
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