Satire on chaos in Thai school system gets Singapore examination
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2022
A satirical comedy about the chaotic state of the Thai school system is set to premiere in Singapore, offering a stark contrast to the city-state’s world-beating education.
“Arnold is a Model Student” (PG13, 85 minutes) is “a growing-up story of a model student which develops into a critique of the repressive and corrupt education system in Thailand,” according to the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival, where it recently won the New Talent Award. “It strikes a perfect balance between outrage and irreverence,” the festival added.
The film was made by Thai director Sorayos Prapapan, who has won acclaim for his short movies at previous editions of the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF). One of them, the comedy “Death of the Sound Man”, picked up the Best Director (Southeast Asian Short Film) prize at the 2017 SGIFF and is available on streaming sites such as Vimeo.
“Arnold is a Model Student”, Sorayos’ first feature, was also selected for the prestigious Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland.
Singapore regularly appears top or near the top in global education rankings.
By contrast, Thailand’s education system ranks low, a result of rote learning and an emphasis on discipline and obedience over critical thinking, say critics. Thailand’s spending on education has also fallen from 28.4% of its GDP in 2000 to 12.1% in 2020, according to World Bank data.
Singaporeans will be treated to a question-and-answer session with the filmmaker after the December 3 screening at Golden Village Plaza in the heart of the city.
The film is showing from November 24 to December 4 at various locations across Singapore, including Filmgarde Kallang, Kallang Leisure Park, 5 Stadium Walk; and Golden Village Plaza, Plaza Singapura and 68 Orchard Road.
Jasin in Melaka may see Asean’s biggest Disney theme park in 2027.
State executive councillor for tourism, heritage and culture Muhammad Jailani Khamis said Malaysia would also be the first Southeast Asian country to host a Disneyland.
The proposed 80.9-hectare theme park will cost RM2 billion ( TB15 billion ).
Jailani also said the state government had set a goal to increase the number of tourists to Melaka to 20 million within three years.
Paragon Cineplex offers Bangkok film buffs a brand new experience
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” can be an all-enveloping, virtual reality experience for Bangkokians thanks to the new ScreenX in Siam Paragon.
The Major Cineplex Group launched this special theatre, complete with a 55-metre-wide, 270-degree screen, at Paragon Cineplex on Tuesday.
Naruto Chiasanong, deputy chief marketing officer of Major Cineplex, said the huge screen is actually three screens and the film has to be projected from several angles at the same time to create a virtual reality-like experience.
The screen, the largest of its type in Thailand, was launched on Friday with the “Black Panther” sequel.
He said more than 60 minutes of this film is made following the ScreenX three-screen format, adding that the theatre will feature more such films next year.
Naruto added that when films are not being shown in the theatre, it can be used for meetings, concerts, conferences and other live events.
Govt, private sector hail ‘return to cinema’ with Bangkok World Film Festival
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2022
Movie fans will not be disappointed when the “World Film Festival of Bangkok” returns next month after a five-year hiatus, according to six partners of Southeast Asia’s largest celluloid showcase.
They made the vow at a Friday press conference in SF World Cinema on the 9th floor of CentralWorld, venue for the festival’s 15th edition from December 2 to 11.
The six partners are the Culture Ministry, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Thai Media Fund, SF Corporation, Thai Airways International (THAI), and long-time festival organiser Nation Group.
The 10-day festival will screen 61 movies from 51 nations and feature special activities to promote the Thai movie industry in line with the Culture Ministry’s soft-power push.
Festival director Donsaron Kovitvanitcha, an internationally acclaimed independent movie producer, unveiled this year’s theme as “Return to Cinema”.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, movie theatres were closed for months. Moviegoers had to change their behaviour, prompting the question of whether people would return to theatres,” Donsaron said.
“But people in Thai and international film circles all agree that movies are designed to be enjoyed in theatres because of the quality of image, sound and colour. We miss this optimal quality if we watch movies at home. That’s why we have to return to cinema – the theme of this year’s festival.“
Adisak Limparungpattanakij, Nation Group’s special adviser on festival organisation, recounted the history of the movie showcase across three decades.
“It has been over 20 years since we held the inaugural festival in 1998. The first edition was called Bangkok Film Festival,” Adisak said.
“That year, we felt Thailand should have an international film festival and, as an English-language media organisation, we connected Thailand to the global community. This is one role of Nation Group’s media operations.
“Past editions of the World Film Festival of Bangkok launched new faces in the movie industry, especially the independent sector. They received new opportunities and got a chance to show their movies to international audiences.”
Under the directorship of the late Kriengsak “Victor” Silakong, the festival rose to become part of the international film festival calendar, he added.
Suvannee Chinchiewchan, chief operating officer of SF Corporation, confirmed the “World Film Festival of Bangkok” had contributed to the development of the movie industry in Thailand and abroad.
The “soft power” of movies to showcase countries’ fashion, tourism, culture and foods boosted economies, she added.
Suvanee also hailed cinema’s evolution into a sophisticated art form best appreciated in the cinema.
In the past, we only watched the story and cinematography. But now moviemaking has evolved with better designs and modern sound techniques,” she said.
“As a result, watching movies in theatres is much better than at home because we have technology for isolating sound designs created by producers and directors,” she added, inviting everyone to test her theory by checking out the festival.
The showcase is also part of City Hall’s plans to boost economic recovery in the capital, said Pimuk Simaroj, secretary to Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt.
“We need various activities to revive economic activity,’ Pimuk explained, adding that the private sector had a key role to play.
Pramote Boonnumsuk, of the Culture Ministry’s Thai Media Fund (TMF), said the “World Film Festival of Bangkok” is a major platform for movies made with government support.
Film is among the state’s 5Fs stimulus policy along with food, fighting, fashion and festivals.
“We have granted funds and provided knowledge to lift moviemakers to the international level,” Pramote said.
This festival will see the debut screening of TMF-funded film “A Time to Fly”.
Thai Airways said it was backing the festival as a soft-power showcase of Thailand’s culture. THAI has channels to support new-face movie directors, added the airline’s head of Brand Product and Digital Marketing, Viruj Ruchipongse.
“We believe that THAI can be a starting point for Thai directors launching films on to the international stage,” Viruj said.
The press conference was also joined by Wanasiri Morakul, adviser to the Culture Ministry which oversees film festivals.
The 10-day event will feature 61 films and 20 experimental movies from 51 countries.
Films being screened will showcase a truly global variety of nationalities, languages and cultures, including gender diversity, to reflect people’s way of life around the world.
The festival will also connect the international film community, with directors, actors and movie experts from around the world scheduled to make appearances.
Acclaimed films by new directors will vie for the Lotus Award.
The 21 nominated films are:
1. #LookAtMe (Singapore); 2. I Have Electric Dreams (Belgium, France and Costa Rica); 3. A Man (Japan); 4. Rule 34 (Brazil and France); 5. Safe Place (Croatia and Slovenia); 6. Leonor Will Never Die (Philippines); 7. Scala (Thailand); 8. Stonewalling (Japan); 9. The Sales Girl (Mongolia); 10. Tora’s Husband (India); 11. Under the Fig Trees (Tunisia); 12. Joyland (Pakistan); 13. Autobiography (Indonesia, France, Singapore, Poland, Philippines, Germany and Qatar); 14. Blue Again (Thailand); 15. Have You Seen This Woman? (Serbia and Croatia); 16. Victim (Slovakia, Czech Republic and Germany); 17. Memento Mori: Earth (Vietnam); 18. Riceboy Sleeps (Canada); 19. The Cord of Life (China); 20. A Hundred Flowers (Japan); and 21. Klondike (Ukraine).
The Kriengsak Silakong Award, created in honour of the festival’s long-time director who died suddenly on March 27, will recognise those who have made significant contributions to the film industry both in Thailand and overseas.
The festival will also celebrate director Mom Luang Phanthevanop Devakula (Mom Noi), who died on September 15, by screening three of his works from the Film Archive – “Chan Poo Chai Na Ya”, “Nang Nual” and “Mahasajan Haeng Rak”.
The “15th World Film Festival of Bangkok”, featuring 61 films and 20 experimental movies from 51 countries, as well as special activities, will be held at SF World Cinema at CentralWorld from December 2-11.
Blackpink’s Lisa bags MTV Europe award as best K-Pop artist
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2022
Thailand’s very own K-pop princess, Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban, won the “Best K-Pop” award at the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) in Dusseldorf, Germany, on Sunday.
This is her second “Best K-Pop” award this year, after winning her first at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards in New Jersey, US, in August for her solo single “Lalisa”.
She is the first solo K-Pop artist to win these honours.
Her band, “Blackpink”, also won the “Best Metaverse Performance” award for their virtual concert via the PUBG Mobile game.
Lisa, who is on tour in the US and was unable to attend the ceremony, received the award virtually.
In her acceptance speech, she thanked her fans for supporting her first solo album as well as the latest Blackpink album. She said this support “meant a lot to her”. Lisa’s acceptance speech can be watched at https://twitter.com/i/status/1591903958481915904
Other K-pop bands also bagged several awards at the EMA this year, including BTS (Biggest Fans), Tomorrow X Together (Best Asian Act) and Seventeen (Best New Act and Best Push Artist).
However, the true “Queen of EMA 2022” was none other than pop superstar Taylor Swift, who went home with Best Artist, Best Video, Best Pop and Best Longform Video for her “All Too Well” 10-minute music video.
Netflix series reflects on turmoil of 1990s in Royal Family
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022
AP
The drama series based on the lives of the British Royal Family,”The Crown”, returns to Netflix on November 9 after a two-year absence.
The splintering marriage of Charles and Diana and more woes for Queen Elizabeth II are in the drama’s elegant but intrusive spotlight.
STORYLINE:
The safe distance of history is gone in the 10 new episodes of the drama “The Crown”, which is set within recent memory for many.
The Netflix series began with Elizabeth’s marriage in the late 1940s and, in its fifth season, takes on the British royal family’s turbulent 1990s.
The queen famously labeled one stretch her “annus horribilis” — Latin for “horrible year.”
1992 saw the end of the marriages of three of the Queen’s four children.
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson split in March, Princess Anne divorced her husband in April and married navy commander Timothy Laurence in December.
That same month, Prince Charles and Diana separated.
In November, fire damaged Windsor Castle, public outcry over the cost of repairs during a recession prompted the queen to volunteer to pay income taxes.
Also in 1992, Andrew Morton’s first book about the princess, “Diana, Her True Story,” was published. It revealed she had attempted suicide and suffered from an eating disorder.
Some of Charles’ detractors still fault him for the break-up of his marriage to Princess Diana and his not-too-carefully-concealed extra-marital affair with Camilla Parker Bowles, now his second wife.
Charles and Diana’s divorce was finalised in 1996.
Diana threw herself into charity work.
The death of Queen Elizabeth, 96, in September adds an uneasy dimension for the drama.
Among the prominent critics is Judi Dench, an Oscar-winner for her role as Elizabeth I in “Shakespeare in Love.”
In a letter to The Times of London, the actor blasted elements of the drama as “cruelly unjust to the individuals and damaging to the institution they represent”.
She called for each episode to carry a disclaimer labeling it as fiction.
It’s a demand that Netflix has heard before and continues to resist, framing the series as drama inspired by historical events.
Series creator Peter Morgan was unavailable for comment, Netflix said.
Dench is not amused by the streaming service’s intransigence.
“The time has come for Netflix to reconsider — for the sake of a family and a nation so recently bereaved, as a mark of respect to a sovereign who served her people so dutifully for 70 years,” she wrote.
Her plea followed a rebuke of the series from former Prime Minister John Major, shown in the new season being lobbied by Prince Charles — now King Charles III — to help maneuver the queen’s abdication.
A spokesman for Major labeled the scene as false and malicious.
Shakira and Pique reach agreement over the custody of their children
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 08, 2022
THE NATION
Colombian pop star Shakira Mebarak reached an agreement with former partner Gerard Pique over the custody of their two children after they broke up an 11-year relationship earlier this year, Shakira’s representative in Spain said Tuesday (November 8).
The details of the agreement would be revealed later on Tuesday, the representative said.
La Vanguardia newspaper said that, according to the agreement their children Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7, will move to Miami with their mother.
Shakira, 45, and Pique, 35, were together since 2011 but they never married.
They met shortly before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa when he featured in the music video for Shakira’s “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”, the tournament’s official song.
They made public the end of their relationship in a June statement.
The custody agreement was reached one week after Pique announced his imminent retirement from professional football and his departure from FC Barcelona.
The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer is facing a trial over alleged tax fraud charges in Spain after she lost an appeal on May 26.
Prosecutors claim she failed to pay up to 14.5 million euros ($14.48 million) in tax on income earned between 2012 and 2014.
Aaron Carter, who won early fame as a child pop star and toured with his brother’s hit band Backstreet Boys before pursuing careers in rap and acting, was found dead in his home near Los Angeles on Saturday.
A Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department spokesperson on Saturday afternoon confirmed to Reuters that deputies had found a deceased person at Carter’s residence, and that homicide investigators were on their way to the scene, but said they could not provide further details.
There were no reports that foul play was suspected in Carter’s death.
Carter, 34, released his debut album in 1997 when he was just 9 years old, becoming a child pop star who frequently appeared on Nickelodeon, according to TMZ and The Hollywood Reporter. He turned to rap later in his music career, and also acted in productions such as the Broadway Show “Seussical“.
He wrestled with addiction issues for years, sometimes sharing them publicly.
Science Film Festival 2022 asks: Why so few women scientists?
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 04, 2022
Vitaya Saeng-Aroon
If asked to name a female scientist, most people will mention Marie Curie – the Polish-French physicist who discovered radium and polonium, and contributed to the treatment of cancer.
But she died some 88 years ago, and since then, hardly any women have become household names in the scientific industry.
Addressing this very problem is the German short film “Mind the Gap – (No) Role Models”, which is among the 34 films being shown at the 18th Science Film Festival, which runs until December 20.
The theme of the festival this year is “Equal Opportunities in Science”, which aims to shed light on the role of women in science.
The Science Film Festival was launched in 2005 by the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST) in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut of Thailand.
Over the years, the event has won increasing support from partners and organisations and has also been on the radar of teachers, students and parents.
Last year’s event attracted 286,823 viewers and was also shown in other countries in Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East, IPST president Assoc Prof Dr Thiradet Jiarasuksakun said.
“This year’s festival focuses on sharing opportunities in the exploration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics [STEM] subjects, so people have better opportunities and can keep up with the rapidly changing world,” he said.
“STEM focuses on the real-life application of integrated knowledge to cope with the changes and challenges in the modern world. It helps us build the ability of learning, working, solving problems as well as searching and analysing new findings to be able to handle every situation that may arise.”
As per the 2021 Unesco Science Report, one in three researchers globally is a woman. In Africa, 30% of science professionals are women and more women are enrolling to study STEM courses.
Yet, women and girls are still under-represented in this industry. Globally, only 12% of science students are women, and they comprise slightly over a quarter (28%) of tertiary graduates in engineering and 40% of computer science graduates.
“When we talk about gender diversity and inclusion, it should start at school. A society that does not allow inclusion will end up overlooking people’s potential. Also, we can’t achieve sustainability, if women are excluded,” German Ambassador Georg Schmidt said in his opening remarks.
“If you don’t include women, you will miss half of the picture.”
This year’s festival offers films under the categories of Family Edutainment; Natural Science, Life Science and Technology; Non-Verbal and Science Shorts; and Ecology and Environment.
The offerings come from India, Australia, Germany, Ireland, Angola, Switzerland, Belgium, Japan, Croatia, Malawi, the United States and the United Kingdom.
The films will be shown for free from November 1 to December 20. Venues include the NSTDA Thailand Science Park, the Thai Film Archive, the National Science Museum, City Learning Park Nakhon Si Thammarat and Science Centres in other provinces such as Ubon Ratchathani, Lampang, Roi Et, Kanchanaburi, Yala, Sa Kaew, Trang, Nakhon Sawan, Khon Kaen, Ayutthaya, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Nakhon Phanom, Phitsanulok, Narathiwat, Pattani and Nakhon Ratchasima.
The films can also be watched online via a streaming system, which requires viewers to register first. To ease accessibility, all films are dubbed in Thai and have subtitles.
“Building a local group of youngsters with talent in science and engineering will be critical in supporting Thailand’s continued economic success in moving towards a sustainable future,” said Dr Bicky Bhangu, president ofRolls-Royce – Southeast Asia, Pacific and South Korea, which is sponsoring the festival.
He added that Rolls-Royce has been in Thailand for more than three decades now and has invested extensively in STEM projects and aims to expand access to 25 million people worldwide by 2030.
The event was opened by German Ambassador Schmidt and the Education Ministry’s special adviser to the Office of the Permanent Secretary Duriya Amatavivat. Also present were IPST president Assoc Prof Dr Thiradet Jiarasuksakun, director of the Goethe-Institut Thailand Johannes Hossfeld, president of the National Museum Thailand Asst Prof Dr Rawin Raviwongse and Dr Bhangu from Rolls-Royce among others.
Also contributing to the film festival are the National Science Museum Thailand in cooperation with the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education (SEAMEO STEM-ED) and Rolls-Royce Southeast Asia as a key partner.
TIMELINE – A look at Kanye West’s headline-making behaviour from past years
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2022
Reuters
Kanye West, who legally changed his name to simply Ye last year, has courted controversy in recent months by publicly ending major corporate tie-ups and making outbursts on social media.
His Twitter and Instagram accounts were restricted, with the social media platforms removing some of his online posts that users condemned as antisemitic. Athletic apparel brand Adidas terminated its partnership with him on Tuesday (October 25), a move that knocked the musician off the Forbes list of the world’s billionaires.
Below is a timeline of Ye’s headline-making behaviour from the past few years.
NOVEMBER 2016
Cell phone footage shows Ye walking off stage in Sacramento, California after performing three songs and going on a rant about the media and the music industry.
Ye is later hospitalized in Los Angeles and reported to be suffering from exhaustion hours after abruptly cancelling the remainder of his “Saint Pablo” tour.
DECEMBER 2016
Ye meets with Donald Trump in New York, appearing briefly with the Republican president-elect in the Trump Tower lobby.
“Friends, just friends,” Trump says, calling West “a good man” he’s known for a long time”.
Ye later tweets: “I wanted to meet with Trump today to discuss multicultural issues.”
APRIL 2018
Ye says he has fired his manager and suggests he may run for U.S. president in a frenetic Twitter spree in which he promises four new albums and speaks of his ‘love’ for U.S. President Donald Trump.
His tweets got a reaction from Trump, who tweets back ‘Thank you Kanye, very cool!’
Grammy award-nominated hip-hop artist Kanye West performs at the American Express Jam Sessions at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, California February 9, 2005. West leads the list for this Sunday
SEPTEMBER 2018
The musician announces that he is changing his name. He tweets: “the being formally known as Kanye West. I am YE”
OCTOBER 2018
Ye meets with Trump at the Oval Office, where the rapper defends his support for Trump.
The event is billed as a lunch at the White House to discuss prison reform, jobs for African-Americans and Chicago violence. Those items are addressed in a pre-lunch meeting, but Ye launches into a speech and Trump lets him go on as the cameras record it all.
But in between, Ye speaks of alternative universes, a new plane that Trump should consider as his next Air Force One, his diagnosis of bipolar disorder that he says was actually sleep deprivation, and living in a household dominated by females given his marriage to reality TV star Kim Kardashian.
OCTOBER 2018
Three weeks after the White House meeting with Trump, Ye says is distancing himself from politics.
“My eyes are now wide open and now realize I’ve been use d to spread messages I don’t believe in. I am distancing myself from politics and completely focusing on being creative !!!” he writes on Twitter.
JUNE 2020
Ye joins protesters in Chicago at a rally against police brutality. Wearing a face mask and hoodie, West is seen walking among the crowd in protest over the death of African-American George Floyd after a police officer pressed a knee into his neck while detaining him.
JULY 2020
Ye announces he will run for president in 2020 in an apparent challenge to Trump and his presumptive Democratic rival, former Vice President Joe Biden.
JULY 2020
In his first rally for his last-minute presidential campaign, Ye rants against social media, pornography and abortion, argues policy with attendees, and at one point breaks down in tears.
At the event held at a North Charleston, South Carolina wedding venue and convention center, he tearfully references a decision he said he made with Kardashian not to abort a pregnancy.
A day later, Ye posts a series of tweets claiming his wife is trying to have him locked up on medical grounds, comparing himself to Nelson Mandela and suggesting the movie “Get Out” was based on his own life.
The bulk of the tweets are deleted a few hours later.
Later on, he tweets he has been trying to divorce Kardashian, in a message that is deleted minutes later.
Kardashian later says Ye suffers from bipolar disorder and asks for compassion and empathy as he and his family try to manage his illness.
“As many of you know, Kanye has bi-polar disorder,” she writes on Instagram, calling him a “brilliant but complicated person.”
OCTOBER 2020
Ye releases his first official campaign video in his long-shot bid to be elected U.S. president, focusing on religion and families.
NOVEMBER 2020
Ye votes for himself as the next U.S. president. Later on he appears to concede his 2020 bid had ended but suggests his quest was not over. He posts a picture of himself in front of an electoral map saying “WELP KANYE 2024”.
FEBRUARY 2021
Kardashian files papers to divorce Ye after almost seven years of marriage.
Rapper Kanye West speaks during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss criminal justice reform in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., October 11, 2018.
MARCH 2022
Ye is suspended from Instagram for 24 hours after infringing the platform’s policy regarding harassment. A Variety report says he directed racial slurs at “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah in an Instagram post after Noah discussed a row between Ye, Kardashian and her boyfriend, “Saturday Night Live” comic Pete Davidson.
SEPTEMBER 2022
Ye’s lawyers send a letter to Gap Inc notifying the apparel chain that the rapper and fashion designer is terminating his partnership with the company, saying it failed to meet its obligations under the contract.
OCTOBER 2022
Ye stirs controversy at his surprise Yeezy Season 9 fashion show in Paris, where he and models wear a T-shirt reading “White Lives Matter”.
Four days later, his Twitter and Instagram accounts are restricted, with the social media platforms saying they removed the rapper’s posts after online users condemned them as antisemitic.
Following the remarks, Ye loses high profile and lucrative partnerships. Kering, the parent company of fashion house Balenciaga, tells Women’s Wear Daily “Balenciaga has no longer any relationship nor any plans for future projects related” to Ye, film and television studio MRC Entertainment drops a documentary about him and talent agency Creative Artists Agency no longer represents him, according to multiple media reports.
A Vogue spokesperson tells Page Six neither the fashion magazine nor its editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who previously sat front row at his shows, intend to work with Ye again.
In a move that knocks Ye off Forbes list of the world’s billionaires, Adidas terminates their partnership.
Rapper Kanye West speaks during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss criminal justice reform in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., October 11, 2018.
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