Thread: Namthan Daeng - Thai erotic cinema

Published: 22/08/2010

It takes as long as it takes.

It's a female masturbation scene that we just had to have, says producer Pracha Pinkaew, talking about the Thai erotic movie, Namthan Daeng, out this week.

Mr Pracha, who acted as an adviser on the project for Sahamongkol Films, insists Namthan Daeng _ which contains a 10-minute scene of a woman masturbating _ is not indecent. In fact, it's a clean movie _ the subject just happens to be sex, he told the Manager/ASTV newspaper.

Actress Lakana "Oom" Wathanawongsiri, above, playing a masseuse who falls for a tattoo artist, performs the masturbation scene in a segment called Desire, directed by Kittiyapon Klangsurin. The segment is one of six sex stories in the film, which showcases the work of new directors.

"The rest of the world has erotic films, but not us," said Mr Pracha. "Previously, we have been constrained by cultural norms and censorship laws. But now that the laws are more open, it's time we made one ourselves," he said, adding the movie looks at sex from an artistic perspective. It contains messages which reflect on society, and the way we are.

"Sex is part of life, and everyone has sexual desires. But Thailand keeps the lid on such things; hardly anyone is willing to talk about it. This is the first film which dares to do so," he said.

A brief scene of Oom's character playing with herself is included in the teaser. Mr Pracha said he decided to let the masturbation scene run for the full 10 minutes, as to cut it back would be to ruin the effect.

"When we were in the editing room, even the director herself was unsure. So we made two versions, one with editing, and the other where we let it run.

"The director said that when she saw the 10-minute version, she didn't know where to cut. When I saw it, I agreed. Oom does such a good job that we decided to keep in the full 10 minutes."

Mr Pracha said the film was screened before a test audience of film students at university: "Women and kathoey students liked the 10-minute version. They also applauded our courage in making it." The film opens on Thursday.

Source: Bangkok Post Bangkok Post : Scene uncut, New bags, Not sidelined, F-Book scrap


The Gentle Touch

Lakana ‘Oom’ Wathanawongsiri

Fishing for attention A Thai actress has acted what the media is hailing as the first scene in a Thai movie to feature female masturbation.

"Lakana 'Oom' Wathanawongsiri has turned over a new page in Thai cinematic history," enthused Siam Dara gossip magazine.

Oom appears in the erotic movie, Namthan Daeng, which premiered at the RCA cinema on Tuesday.

"I didn't use a stand-in, but acted all my own scenes," she told the magazine.

"I am prepared to accept any criticism. In a farang movie, this kind of thing is commonplace, but it is new for Thais," she said.

Oom plays a Thai masseuse who falls for a tattoo artist, in a segment called Desire, directed by Kittiyapon Klangsurin for Sahamongkol Films.

Oom's masturbation scene lasts 10 minutes. "I had to concentrate hard, think what it was like to be that character, and act accordingly," Oom said.

"I would like audiences to keep an open mind. The scene has its own time and place. We didn't just drop it in there.

"Everyone has wants and desires; it's up to us how we express them. The scene is about beauty, emotion and feelings," she said, adding she is sure the scene is not indecent.

The segment is one of six, showcasing the work of new directors, and opens in cinemas on Aug 26.

Source: Bangkok Post Bangkok Post : Accidental Break, Headman in Drag, Name Game, The Gentle Touch