| 'The Legend of King Naresuan': A Behind The Scenes Peek at a Patriotic Paean | ||||
| UPDATE : 25 January 2010 | ||||
Nida Tunsuttiwong His Serene Highness Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol is one of Thailand's most successful and respected movie directors and producers. Since making his first movie in 1971 - a science fiction film called Mun Ma Kub Kwam Mued ('Out of the Darkness') - HSH Prince Chatrichalerm has introduced Thai moviegoers to a host of new concepts and fresh ideas. Over recent years, HSH Prince Chatrichalerm has been responsible for directing and producing a number of significant historical movies with patriotic themes, such as The Legend of Suriyothai (2001), which garnered a good deal of critical acclaim, as well as generating impressive earnings. A monumental setting When Prommitr Film Studio came up with the idea of producing another epic, focusing on the story of King Naresuan the Great (Somdet Phra Naresuan Maharat [reign: 1590-1605]), HSH Prince Chatrichalerm decided to establish a mammoth film set as a base from which to shoot the movie (The Legend of King Naresuan). With the final part of the three-part epic due for release in April, I was very excited to get the opportunity to visit the set of the movie recently in Kanchanaburi province. The set covers a 2,000-rai (320-hectare) plot and its construction took place over a period of four years (2003-2006), costing 500 million baht (US$15.1 million) to complete.
Weapons of war Located near the village are a number of Burmese-style pavilions, which now function as exhibition halls. Here you can see displays of war weapons and other props that were used in the movies. The buildings and other exhibition areas within the complex also have several wide-screen televisions, which run footage of actors and actresses describing various aspects relating to the making of the movie. From here I took a walk along a huge brick wall that encircles the Burmese town of 'Hongsawadee'. There are several other significant buildings located in this area, including a throne hall and a dungeon. The design of the interiors and exteriors of buildings on the set reflect traditional forms of Burmese art, while the use of several decorative items, including a pair of huge singh (mythical lions) that guard the throne hall, came from the inspiration of HSH Prince Chatrichalerm, who felt they reflected Burma's power and grandeur perfectly. As I explored the throne hall, I was struck by the degree to which HSH Prince Chatrichalerm ensured that every detail of the set was 'just so', suggesting he poured his heart and soul into the project. A nearby set, depicting the Phraya Lawag Palace, is now being used as a studio where visitors can take photos of themselves wearing the kinds of costumes featured in the movie for just 150 baht (US$4.50). This operation is actually very well run as two changing rooms are provided, while a team of experienced support staff can help you refine your look before taking the snaps. Declaration of independence The Sanphet Prasat Pavilion is an Ayutthaya throne hall, which appears in the second part of the movie when King Naresuan finally returns to Ayutthaya and declares Siam's independence.
Just outside the throne hall is a lobby area, where visitors can enjoy a refreshing drink or feed the elephants before climbing aboard a trolley bus that will take them to the last stop on the tour – an area located around a set that is dedicated to the storage of props from the film, along with a souvenir shop for those in search of a memento by which to remember their visit.
Prommitr Film Studion opens daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Locals pay 100 baht to enter (50 baht for children), while foreigners pay 200 baht. For further information, call Tel: +66 (0)2 736 2300 (Bangkok), +66 (0)3 453 2057 (Kanchanaburi), or contact the operator's website at http://www.prommitrfilmstudio.com. Transport connections: Car: From Bangkok, take Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road), which will take you through the provinces of Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi to Kanchanaburi. From downtown Kanchanaburi take Highway 323 and then route 3199 to the Lad Ya intersection, where you must turn right. Follow the signs for the zoo at the Surasi Military Camp. Once you locate the zoo, prepare to turn left into a small road that leads directly to the Prommitr Film Studio. | ||||
วันอังคารที่ 26 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2553
'The Legend of King Naresuan': A Behind The Scenes Peek at a Patriotic Paean
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