Queens of Langkasuka

Infobox Film
name = Queens of Langkasuka


image_size =
caption = The Thai theatrical poster.
director = Nonzee Nimibutr
producer = Nonzee Nimibutr
writer = Win Lyovarin
Kongdej Jaturanrasamee
narrator =
starring = Jarunee Suksawat
Ananda Everingham
Jesdaporn Pholdee
Dan Chupong Sorapong Chatree
music = Chatchai Pongprapaphan
cinematography = Natthakit Preechacharoenwat
editing = Nonzee Nimibutr
Panutat Wisetwong
Likhit Waratgool
distributor = Sahamongkol Film International
released = Thailand:
October 12, 2008
runtime = 133 min. (Cannes Film Market)cite web | last = Elley | first = Derek | title = Queens of Langkasuka | publisher = Variety (magazine) | date = 2008-06-30 | url = http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117937586.html?categoryid=31&cs=1l | accessdate = 2008-08-08]
country = Thailand
language = Thai
budget = 140 million bahtcite web | last = Rithdee | first = Kong | title = A piece of the action | publisher = Bangkok Post | date = 2008-05-30 | url = http://www.bangkokpost.com/Realtime/30May2008_real001.php | accessdate = 2008-08-08]
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website = http://www.queensoflangkasuka.com/
amg_id =
imdb_id = 1262945

"Queens of Langkasuka" ( _th. ปืนใหญ่จอมสลัด, "Puen yai jom salad") is a 2008 Thai historical fantasy adventure film directed by Nonzee Nimibutr.

Plot

Queen Hijau of Pattani faces overthrow by the rebel Prince Pahang, who is allied with pirate captain Black Raven. The pirates attempt to capture some giant cannon invented by Dutchman Janis Bree and Chinese inventor Lim Kium, but the Dutch ship carrying the cannon blows up and the cannons sink into the sea.

Meanwhile, a boy named Pari is born in a fishing village. His father is killed by Black Raven. The boy is eventually taken by his uncle Anjar to learn from White Ray. The sage will teach the boy the magical ways of the ocean and how to communicate with the marine life.

Black Raven, also practiced in the Du Lum ocean magical arts, has been trying to raise the cannons from the depths of the sea.

Queen Hijau wants her own large cannons and seeks the inventor Lim Kium. She sends away her daughters, Princess Ungu and Princess Biru. They will be under the protection of the queen's loyal commander, the fierce martial artist Prince Jarang.

Eventually, all the forces - the rebel prince, the pirates, the ocean magician, the queen and the princesses - will battle for the big cannon.

Cast

*Jarunee Suksawat as Queen Hijau
*Jacqueline Apithananon as Princess Biru
*Anna Ris as Princess Ungu
*Chupong Changprung as Prince Jarang
*Ananda Everingham as Pari
*Sorapong Chatree as White Ray
*Jesdaporn Pholdee as Prince Pahung
*Winai Kraibutr as Black Raven
*Jakkrit Phanichphatikram as Lim Kium
*Andre Macchieisen as Janis Bree
*Preecha Katkham as Anjar
*Kunanek Naiyanaprasert as Pari (youth)
*Manassanan Patcharasopachai
*Suwinit Panjamawat
*Mesini Keawratri
*Ake Oree
*Thiti Micheli
*Attaporn Theemakorn
*Suppakorn Kitsuwan
*Arisa Sontirod
*Kamol Luangrojkul

Reception

"Queens of Langkasuka", which went into production in 2005, was a first called "Queens of Pattani", but the name was changed to avoid political connections to the South Thailand insurgency and Pattani separatism, and to tie the story in with the legend of Langkasuka.

The film premiered at the 2008 Cannes Film Market to mixed reviews. Derek Elley of "Variety" said the film lacked focus and at 133 minutes was too long. Maggie Lee of "The Hollywood Reporter" was more upbeat, praising the sumptuous costume design and action sequences, but also said the film was too long.cite web | last = Lee | first = Maggie | title = Queens of Langkasuka | publisher = The Hollywood Reporter | date = 2008-05-21 | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i152f68c2925022d526d95ca16a858420 | accessdate = 2008-08-08]

Based on the reception from the industry press, studio Sahamongkol Film International considered created a shorter version of the film for international markets. The film's August 2008 release in Thai cinemas was postponed until October, with the director citing Thailand's unstable political atmosphere.cite news | title = The Fun | work = newspaper article | pages = 15 | language = English | publisher = Daily Xpress (print edition only) | date = 2008-06-30 | url = http://www.dailyxpress.net ]

A boost of confidence was given though, when the film was scheduled for the Venice Film Festival, where it would play in a special out-of-competition midnight screening.cite web | last = Vivarellie | first = Nick | title = Venice Film Festival announces slate | publisher = Variety (magazine) | date = 2008-07-29 | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117989668.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&nid=2564 | accessdate = 2008-08-08] "Queens of Langkasuka" was also the "gala opening" film for the 2008 Bangkok International Film Festival.cite web | last = Pajee | first = Parinyaporn | title = A fresh look | publisher = Daily Xpress | date = 2008-07-31 | url = http://www.dailyxpress.net/2008/07/31/entertainment/entertainment_3869.php | accessdate = 2008-08-08]

References