It’s not only Hollywood who can made big epic movies like “The Golden Compass” or “The Lord of the Rings”, Asia also have some finest source which can be utilize for some good and delightful epic movies. Supported with the advancement of movie tech and special effect in Asia this day, it’s possible for Asia to create some movie magic ala Hollywood like what we’ve been seen in “Dragon Wars” recently, a proof that Asian movie improvement nowadays can be stand a level with Hollywood movies. Beside Korea, one of Asian country that also can be proud with their movie tech is Thailand, which has a dynamic movie production. They have prepared and wrapped up their forthcoming history epics with a big budget, great story concept and the maximal CGI employment. The first one is an action epic that due for its theatrical releases this late 2007, “Siyama: Village of Warriors” and second, the biggest budget production and the most ambitious project in Thai movie history, “The Queen of Lung-Gasuka”, which scheduled for March 2008 release.
“Siyama: Village of Warriors” is an epic battle fantasy movie which set on the Ayudthaya period in Thailand, a story about the heroic bravery of peoples in a village called Siyama who struggle to defend their homeland. Directed and by a well-known commercial director, Preecha Songsakul that also wrote the script and produced by Mono Film Production. Here is the movie synopsis which comes from Mono Film website:
Three young lives from the present are mysteriously destined to travel back in time through a portal to an old forgotten city. It is an era of civil war among the people of Siam where the fight is to protect the capital city of Ayuthaya from being conquered and overthrown. Bloodshed is about to unfold among the small group of villagers loyal to their land and prepared to battle to the death with the opposing military troops of Ong Mien, known for their cut throat, piercing swords. Siyama led by, Kru Jom, uses religious sorcery to protect his small village located amidst a ravine populated by only a mere one thousand villagers and two hundred rooftops. By being the choice of passage towards the capital city of Ayuthaya, Siyama becomes a targeted obstacle for the gruesome military brigade of Ong Mien. Anna, Gif, and Bote from present day Bangkok are thrown into a gateway through time after coincidentally conversing about the history of warfare that took place in the ancient days of what was then called Siam. They suddenly appear out of no where right at the onset of battle causing utter confusion and havoc among the soldiers. These girls are forced to put their book-learned history knowledge to the test to see if they can save Siyama from being trampled through.The Queen of Lung-Gasuka” is more of an epic fantasy with story that based on the historical tale of three sister queens who ruled a state in southern part of Thailand named Lankasuka on the 16th century. Siyama cast as Than Thanakorn,Thitima Maliwan,Arya aya Pradana,Nattanun Jantarawetch,and Bawriboon Chanreuang. About their struggle to against the threat of foreign powers who wants to capture the strategic port city, combined with sea battle that including pirates, big ship and marvelous sea creatures. Directed by Nonzee Nimibutr, one of the famous Thailand directors and starred Ananda Everingham who well-known with his horror movie “Shutter” which now being remakes by Hollywood. As an ambitious project, The Queen will involves lot of CGI-enhanced to living its action that included underwater fights, giant whales and deep sea creatures, feisty pirate ship cannon battles, and a huge golden palaces, it has bring this movie as the biggest budget movie production in Thai with over than 140 million baht has spent. It also the first time for Nonzee that his vision will be fulfilled by the digital wizardry of computers. “I worried at first, but I'm sure we have an efficient special effects team working with us," says the director. "And most importantly, I've given them enough time to create the look that I want. I'm not telling them to finish everything in two months - I'm giving them a year. And I'm pleased with the some of the work they've already done." Gathered so many facts during two years of research for the story, Nonzee originally planned a trilogy of films. And here is The Queen synopsis with some photos which comes from Thaicinema org:
War rages on ... Princes of neighbouring dynasties have formed a coalition with rebel pirates, plotting to seize the powerful cannon from the Land of Lankasuka. The mass destruction juggernaut, capable of obliterating foes in a matter of seconds, is much coveted by any party seeking to tip the balance of power to their advantage. Artillery is deployed, the infantry is mobilized, the Doo Lam force is unleashed ... The clash is critical. The three princesses of the land of Lankasuka must at all costs protect their realm from the evil clutches of the ongoing wave of invaders - even if it means putting their own lives on the line.
