Khun Phaen Begins

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The film

Kaew is a little crook who lives one day at a time. His epicurean lifestyle consists of petty theft and adventures with his best friend Petch. One day he bumps into Pim, his teenage love, and decides to clean up his act and enlist in the military to follow her. He has no idea what awaits him: the hero’s journey, and a battle against an evil sorcery cult to save his damsel and, incidentally, the whole kingdom.

Based on literary legends, KHUN PHAEN BEGINS immediately impresses with its ambitious and fresh tone. Directed by Kongkiat Komesiri (GANGSTER, NIFFF 2013), the film opens with the most engaging and entertaining first act of the year. This grandiose spectacle offers a fascinating mythological narrative and unexpected touches of humour (wait for the genie!), as well as explosive action scenes. A reminder of the unquestionable savoir-faire of Thailand in the art of entertainment.

The director

A Communications graduate from the Bangkok University, Kongkiat Komesiri (1975) starts his film career in 2000 when working on MYSTERIOUS OBJECT AT NOON, Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s first feature. His own projects will however be radically different: horror films (ART OF THE DEVIL 2, 2005; TAKE ME HOME, 2016), action flicks (MUAY THAI FIGHTER, 2007), and historical dramas (KHUN PHAN, 2016). He recently created his own production company, mainly dedicated to genre films.

Selected filmography

2005 – ART OF THE DEVIL 2

2007 – MUAY THAI FIGHTER

2009 – SLICE

2012 – THE GANGSTER

2016 – TAKE ME HOME

2016 – KHUN PHAN