Here Comes Thailand ... [updated w/ promo reel for Nonzee Nimibutr's QUEENS OF PATTANI]

Though I don't believe either has surface online yet I spotted a pair of trailers for upcoming Thai films that bear watching out for while wandering the Cannes market yesterday.

First, Muay Thai Chaiya. Director Kongsiat Khomsiri was one of the directors of Art of the Devil 2 and wrote the script for Wisit Sasanatieng's The Unseeable, a favor that Sasanatieng has returned on this film. And my hunch is Wisit has also chipped in some tips on cinematography because this thing looks flat out gorgeous. It's a martial arts film starring a real life champion muay thai fighter who the producers had to send off to learn screen fighting after he hurt some of his stunt performers on set. Forgot to pull his punches, apparently. This is now the third promo spot I've seen for the film and every one gets better than the last. It's visually stunning which serves as a nice counterpoint to the action, which looks positively brutal. They're aiming for an August release.

Second, Nonzee Nimibutr's fantasy epic Queens of Pattani. I'd seen some unfinished footage from this a while back but this was my first look at finished product and DAMN this looks good. Nonzee hasn't shot a frame of ugly film in his life and this is no exception. Dan Chupong and Ananda Everingham are both featured prominently in the current promo reel, both look fantastic, and the blending of physical stunt work with CGI effects is the most seamless and impressive I have ever seen come out of Thailand by far. 2008 release for this one.

Google Video: Queens of Pattani promo reel page

Promo reel source: DekNang.com