Bangkok--11 Jun--VERVE
Calendar News :Education Program
The Jim Thompson Art Center in collaboration with Santiphap Inkong-ngam proudly present Xiang Rama, a program of 7 short films and music videos from a variety of ethnic groups from the Xiang region including Chiang Rung (China), Chiang Tung (Burma), Chiang Thong (Laos), Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai (Thailand). The program will be held at the William Warren Library, on Friday, June 19th 2009, at 19.30-21.30 pm. There will be a one hour and 15 minutes film screening followed by a 45 minute talk with the producer. The Xiang Rama program which was produced as part of the Xiang project identifies local identity in each area, as well as reflects the local perspective of each group towards circumstance within a specific period of time. This program is curated by Jay Santiphap Inkong-ngam, short film director and producer. Xiang Rama program includes the following;
Music video: ‘Manohra’
Kam Jun / Tai Lue / Chiang Rung / 4.25 min
The Manohra song is composed using traditional Tai Lue lyrics, called ‘kao’ in Lanna, and contemporary music, sung by Kam Jun, popular Tai Lue singer based in Chiang Rung. This song is included in the Tai New Year music album, supported by Ze Temple, a Tai Lue temple in Chiang Rung. Both the music album and karaoke video CD were produced in order to disseminate Thai literature and language through contemporary media.
Short film: To never-been-back Home
Ruchira Chaipresert / Tai Ya / Chiang Rai-Yunnan / 15.51 min.
This short film by Ruchira and her family is a good example for documentary film produced within household, without depending on the support of a studio. Ruchira wrote the script, with her father’s help and also shot the film by himself. Her younger brother helped on the editing and sound composition. The Chaipresert family is of the Tai Ya ethic group and moved to Chiang Rai many generations ago. Besides bringing the audiences along to Ruchira’s never-been-back home, this short film also reflects on the brotherly relationship between Thais and Chinese.
Music video: ‘Sorn Luk’
Chi Suwichan / Karen / Chiang Mai / 2.54 min.
Certainly many people are familiar with the name Chi Suwichan, a young Karen musician who is very talented in literature and Karen music. The song ‘Sorn Luk’ was composed by Chi’s father for the purpose of teaching it to Chi. He has inherited, and beautifully passes on the sounds of Karen and Te-nha music. This song talks about this group’s consistent ways of living with nature. The music video is made by Chi and his friends.
Short film: No Childhood At All
Sam Kanlayanee / Karen-English / Chiang Mai-Burma / 26.44 min.
‘Black tongue warlord’ is a familiar term which stands for the child warrior leader of a Karen liberating army. This short film is not aimed at political opposition, but Sam Kanlayanee is trying to raise questions about the rights of these children to live, play, and be with their parents like other children. Today, the little black tongue warlord has already grown up. Let’s see what is on his mind, and how the experiences of his childhood have impacted on his life.
Music video: ‘Mark Mai’
L-ZONE / Tai Mueng / Chiang Thong / 4.33 min.
The song ‘Mark Mai’, meaning fruit in Thai, belongs to a band called L-ZONE and comes from the album ‘Want to meet my ex’ produced in Chiang Thong, Luang Prabang, under C Star Music. This company is one of only two music companies in Luang Prabang and for this work the company handles both the music album and music video. L-ZONE is a new band from Luang Prabang which plays hip-hop music but sings with a Tai Mueng accent. The song ‘Gig Noi Jai’ in their previous album became one of the most popular songs in Laos in no time. The song ‘Mark Mai’ reflects the generosity of Chiang Thong people in Luang Prabang, as well as their prosperous land.
Short film: A King’s Tale
Pornsak Sukongkarattanakul/ Akha / Chiang Rai / 20.53 min
A King’s Tale is about an Akha community in Chiang Rai, and compares the self-sufficient way of living of the old generations and materialism of the younger generations. The film shows the differences between two generations within one Akha family. This work is very entertaining and beautifully narrated.
Music video: ‘Hmong Bo Dai Ya’
Seang Zueng Music / Hmong / Chiang Mai / 3.53 min.
The song ‘Hmong Bo Dai Ya’ comes from the album Hmong Bo Dai Ya, sung by A-Hua Zae-Ya, a Hmong singer from Chiang Mai. Although it has not been that successful in the Thai mass market, it is very popular among Hmong in Thailand and the United States of America. The song ‘Hmong Bo Dai Ya’ portrays the contemporary reality confronted by the hill-tribe people. The film intends to reflect on the hill-tribe people’s point of view about mass media.
These education programs were parts of multi-media exhibition called : Songs of Memory:
Traditional Music of the Golden Triangle that has been showed in period of 24 April 2009 - 23 July
09, The Jim Thompson Art Center
For further information, please contact Khun Somsuda Piamsamrit
Tel: 02.612.6741
Email: [email protected]