IFFI-2008 - International Film Festival of India

COMPETITION
CINEMA OF THE WORLD
IFFI-2008
Thailand
First Flight / Raak Bin
2007, 35 mm, Colour, 98 mins, Thai
Director
Thanit Jitkunul
Screenplay
Kongkait Komesiri
Cinematography
Terawat Rujinatam
Editor
Seree Phongniti, Surasak Panklin
Music
Giant Wave
Cast
Sornram Theappitak, Khajohnsak Rattanisai, Tom Claytor,
Songporn Thongmark, Chompoonut Sawaetwong, Chirakit
Suwannapath, Kritsada Patcharapipat, Wuttichai Maikan
Production Design
Saner Lohvitee
Sound
Wirom Jaroensuk, Preethep Boondech
Costumes
Naphon Sarimand
Production & Sales
RS FILM
International Business Department
419/1 Chetchotisak Building
Ladphrao 15, Jatujark
Bangkok 10900 Thailand
T: 662-511-0555 ext: 3601
F: 662-511-5325
It is the story of the early history of aviation in the Kingdom of Siam. In the year 1912,
Lieutenant Colonel Luang Kaj Yuthakarn was one of three Thais sent to learn flying at
the Flying Training School in France. Upon his return, the Flying Division was
established in Siam making it the first country in Asia to have a aviation programme.
Luang Kaj encountered many obstacles in this effort, not the least of which was the
resistance from members of the Royal family who thought it was nonsense. Luang Kaj
persevered. First, he had to train his own pilots with the help of Pierre Pupong, his friend
and former flight instructor from France. His students were five commissioned officers
and one non-commissioned officer. The non-commissioned officer is a farm boy.
Someone from such humble origins would normally never have a chance to be a pilot,
but this film is about the "Power of a Dream". It is about Luang Kaj's dream to have an
aviation programme in Siam. It is about Duong's dream to fly, and it is about a meeting of
two cultures. The aircraft and Pierre come from the West, and Siam is in the East.
Through the four months of hard training and the interaction of these flying cadets, we
learn about Thai culture and the challenges of early aviators. These are the days when
airplanes were made of wood, and the pilots were made of iron. This is a film that should
make Thai and French people proud of their aviation history and should inspire young
people to believe in the power of their dreams. First Flight is the first Thai movie to use
real aerials in its production, and it is a living tribute the dreams and courage of the
aviation pioneers in the Kingdom of Siam.
Thanit Jitkunul is a prominent director from Thailand who won Thailand's best
director award in 2001 for his film Bang Rajan. He decided to make this film because he
is scared of flying.
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