Authorities dousing the flame of creativity
Special to the Nation
Published on April 10, 2010
When I first heard that Bt200 million would be spent on the film industry as part of the Thai Khemkhaeng stimulus package, I was absolutely delighted that this medium was finally being given some attention.
However, my excitement was quickly extinguished when I looked at the list of beneficiaries. Half of the budget was going to be spent on one project one that had already been given Bt330 million from the Commerce Ministrys Department of Intellectual Property. In other words, this single project had been allocated Bt430 million of the taxpayers money.
The film in question is the Legend of King Naresuan (Parts 3 and 4) by veteran filmmaker M.C. Chatrichalerm Yukol.
The authorities claim that these films were being made to showcase Thailands history, culture and the legend of a great king. However, they have refused to acknowledge that Bt430 million could have been used to support the entire industry, with students and young filmmakers using the funds to make hundreds of small budget films. It is not fair that this opportunity be given to a man who has already made a name for himself to make a film about a person who lived hundreds of years ago.
Apparently the authorities expect returns from this investment, and are planning to spend it on up-and-coming filmmakers. However, the question that arises now is when and how much of this money will be returned?
Dont misunderstand me. I respect and admire our great warrior king, but what about people who are living now? What happens to the students and young filmmakers floundering in deep waters just to be given a chance?
Most independent filmmakers have very little money to start with, and when they complete their film they have to work really hard to find a distributor willing to put their work on the big screen. After all, everybody wants to screen films that can guarantee them big box-office returns.
Of course, some filmmakers have the chance to take their work to international film festivals, and then some win awards and boost the Kingdoms reputation. Yet, nobody here cares, because by the time the film gets to the local screens, it has already been chopped, changed and raped by the Censor Board.
In other words, independent filmmakers have little or no chance to make it big in Thailand. After all, about 250 of them were rejected outright when they applied for the Thai Khemkhaeng package. And the most of leftover was falling into the hands of Big Film Companies who have more power, more opportunities, and having their property more than enough to make movies, and importantly they are not necessary to pay attention for these funds (But they still took). Besides, many film companies got double budget.
What the heck is that?
At least, we as taxpayers have the right to know why and who decided not to fund the small fry in the industry?
Surely the authorities realize that with such a lack of vision and selfish decisions, Thailand will never become a regional hub of art and culture.
Like well-known independent film director Apichatpong Weerasetakul very rightly said: Our countrys most important assets are not the antiques and historical sites, but the creativity we have. This creativity is like sunshine it gives us life and can be used to create things forever.
Sadly, if the authorities remain stuck in old patterns of self-interest, it wont take long before this sunshine of creativity is extinguished and we are left in the dark.
Of course, this is just the opinion of people who do not have gained or lost form the Thai Khemkhang sheme. But speaking as Thai people that truly, really love movies, thats all!
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