GDH 559, the studio amalgam that burst onto the showbiz scene late last year after the breakup of the GTH studio, has finally announced its road map to greatness, entailing both movies and TV series, naturally. There are two films in the works, slated to hit theatres before the end of the year.
The first, shot in both Thailand and Japan, has stuck to previously announced plans and retained its working title, “Fanday”. Director Banjong Pisuthanakun hasn’t said much about it, apart from naming the stars – Chantawit “Ter” Thanasewee and Nittha Jirayangyuen – and a release date of September 1.
The second project, “New Year’s Gift”, has gone through some changes, though. Apparently Parkpoom Wongpoom, who hasn’t directed a full-length feature on his own, was unable to finish “Gift” one on time, so it turned into an omnibus of three romantic episodes, each helmed by a different director.
Jira Malikool has completed the opening segment, also starring Ter Chantawit. Part two was in the capable hands of Nithiwat Tharatorn, who had a hit with “The Teachers’ Diary” two years ago and is this time directing another GTH stalwart, Sunny Suwanmethanon.
Closing out the triptych is a segment co-directed by Chayanop Boonprakob of “May Who?” fame and Kriangkrai Vachiratamporn from the teen TV series “Hormones”. Kriangkrai’s only other feature was “Phaun Mai Kao” (“Old Pals”), made for Sahamongkol Film in 2012.
What’s generating most interest about the finale is the fact that it stars newcomer Napat Siangsomboon, the son of actress Pimpaka Siangsomoboon. Having a new face to gawk it is an immense relief for many fans who been complaining on Pantip.com that they’re bored to tears seeing Ter and/or Sunny in every picture being made these days.
The fan consensus seems to be that, as much as they love the movies of GDH and its predecessor, GTH, there must surely be more than two actors available. No one’s blaming Ter and Sunny for gobbling up every role around – it’s just a matter of, hey, how about giving some rookies a chance?
To be even fairer to Ter, he didn’t appear in any GTH movies for years following “ATM Er Rak Error” in 2012. He does, however, show up on TV all the time – in series produced by GTH as well as other companies. As for Sunny, well, yeah, he’s all over the place.
The fans aren’t grousing without coming up with suggestions of their own. Several have said we should be seeing new faces soon in GTH films and shows because there’s a fresh crop ready to harvest.
Thiti Mahayotaruk from “Hormones” had the lead in “May Who?”, the final GTH film, and GDH is giving him and his former co-stars regular work on the small screen. Once they start looking more like actual adults, count on Sunny and Ter being relegated to the game shows.
The last word in the discussion belongs to the realists in the crowd, who point out that, despite all the complaining, GDH 559 movies are always going to be guaranteed hits at the box office.
This source first appeared on The Nation Life.