BANGKOK – Undaunted by the country's political turmoil and warnings to travelers to stay away, the 2008 edition of the Bangkok Intl Film Festival will open on Sept 23 with Woody Allen's "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

"Vicky", a crowd-pleaser at Cannes starring Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz, is a last minute addition that will swell the event's 80-film line-up.

But the fest will give its official red-carpet treatment to the Thailand premier of local helmer Nonzee Nimibutr's "Queen of Langkasuka" on Sept 26. The gala for "Langkasuka" will also mark the launch of Thailand Entertainment Expo, a new marketplace for film, music, animation and television.

Fest, still financed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, but under new management, is to take on a radical new look in other ways – notably having two competitive sections.

Titles selected for the South East Asia competition will include Singaporean Royston Tan's "12 Lotus," Woo Ming-jin's "Days of Turquoise Sky" from Malaysia, Raya Martin's "Now Showing," John Torres' "Years When I Was a Child Outside" and Brillante Mendoza's "Serbis" all from the Philippines.

"We want to put an emphasis on emerging Southeast Asian filmmakers," says programmer Pimpaka Towira. "Bangkok should play the role of a regional film center more seriously."

Among the picks in the International Competition, which focuses on first or second films, are Francis Xavier Pasion's docu "Jay" from the Philippines, Shivajee Chandrabhushan's "Frozen" from India and Naghi Negmati's "Those Three" from Iran.

A non-competitive 'World Cinema' section will screen Cannes 2008 titles including "Lorna's Silence," "A Christmas Tale," "24 City" and Cannes 2007's "The Last Mistress."

© Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Comments (1)

Serge: Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2003! regarding Scarlett Johansson (actress)

I would like inform you that Scarlett Johansson (actress)actually is a clone from original person,who has nothing with acting career.Clone was created illegally by using stolen biomaterial. Original Scarlett Galabekian last name is nice, CHRISTIAN young lady.I'll tell you more,those clones(it's not only one)made in GERMANY-world leader manufacturer of humans clones,it is in Ludwigshafen am Rhein,N. Bavaria, Mr. Helmut Kohl home town.You can't even imaging the scale of the cloning activity.But warning. H. Kohl clone staff 100% controlling their clones spreading around the world,they are very accurate with that, some of them are still NAZI type disciplined and mind controlled clones,be careful get close with clones you will be controlled too.Original family did not authorize any activity with stolen biological materials,no matter what form it was created,it all needs back to original family control to Cedars-Sinai MedicalCenter in LA.Original Scarlett is not engage,by the way.

1

September 06, 2008

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