Benetone Films Appointed Thailand Online Producer for Mukta's New Film

Benetone Films is proud to announce that it has been appointed the Thai Online Producer for Nagesh Kukunoor’s latest feature film Bangkok to Bombay. Under the banner of Mukta Searchlight the movie Bangkok to Bombay is a romantic comedy stars Shreyas Talpade and Thai actress Lina Christianson. First time ever that a Thai lead actress is starring in a Bollywood film.

Talking about the subject of Bombay to Bangkok, Nagesh said that he has been a frequent visitor to Thailand. "I truly enjoyed the place...this is a place I wanted to showcase in the film. I've tried to understand the Thai culture and from my research I can say that there are a lot of similarities between Indian and Thai cultures. It's Same Same...But Different." Same Same...But Different also happens to be the catch line of the film that is written in a zany manner on the film's poster that resembles an Airline Boarding Pass. The maverick director seems to be completely smitten by Thai culture and wants to showcase Thailand in a different light.

Mukta Searchlight films was launched in 2004 by the Veteran film maker Subash Ghai to encourage independent cinema and debut film-makers with low cost productions, while Mukta Arts Entertainment was launched to cater to mainstream popular cinema like last release 36 China Town and this year's release Sangeeth Sivan's Apna Sapna Money Money.

The filming starts from 15th March to 21st April in Bangkok, Kha Yai and Kho Chang. It should be an exciting schedule. Please do visit our blog for regular updates of the shoots and prodution stills.

Headlines: Bollywood trains cameras on Thailand

By Rohini Bhandari

23 February 2007, 10:45 AM

MUMBAI: Bollywood, ever in search of exotic locales, seems to be setting its sights on Thailand. E Niwas' De Taali and Nagesh Kukunoor's Bombay to Bangkok are two forthcoming films, which will be shot in the country.
Thailand too is keen to welcome Bollywood with open arms. In 2006, of the 450 foreign film productions produced in Thailand, 79 were from India. These included ads, music videos, short films and feature films.

In the most recent and enterprising Thailand – Bollywood connection, Mukta Searchlight Films' Bombay to Bangkok will be extensively shot in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. In fact, it was the city itself that inspired director Nagesh Kukunoor to script his film. He says, "As a frequent visitor to Thailand, I truly enjoyed the place. During my research, I found that Indians and Thais are 'same same but different' (which incidentally, is the tagline of Bombay to Bangkok). It was with this basic concept that I wrote Bombay to Bangkok as a romantic comedy."

Ghai's earlier film, 36 China Town too was shot in Thailand. In recent times, films like Kaal and Anthony Kaun Hai have been shot in Thai cities. While Kaal was billed Rs 10 million (Rs one crore) for a 10 day shooting schedule, Anthony Kaun Hai was shot for a period of 30 days for Rs 16 million (Rs 1.6 crore).

"The rates differ on the basis of the script, producer and scale of the film. Another factor that determines the rates is how well our country is projected in the film," says Thai Consulate General Jesada Chavarnbhark.
Chavarnbhark, who was present at the launch of Bombay to Bangkok says that if a documentary or commercial film is to be shot in Thailand, the relevant permissions can be obtained within one day.

Currently, the country does not offer rebates or subsidies to filmmakers, but will soon chalk out plans and rates that will make Thailand an enterprising destination for Bollywood filmmakers.

Source: Business of Cinema

Headline: International film festival to go ahead in July

This year's Bangkok International Film Festival will go ahead in July, organisers said yesterday, dispelling rumours it had been cancelled.

The 10-day festival would open at SF CentralWorld Plaza on July 19.

However the budget had been cut to only 60 million baht, well down on last year's 180 million baht budget.

Organisers hope to showcase about 100 titles, with a team of Thai programmers responsible for film selection.

Festival director Chattan Kunjara na Ayudhya said this year's festival would be geared more towards Asian films with organisers hoping to attract a larger Thai audience than the festival had in previous years

Source: Bangkok Post: Friday February 23, 2007

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/23Feb2007_news12.php

Headline: Foreign films can get nod in 3 days

Speedy processing intended to encourage producers to shoot more movies here

Foreign film producers are guaranteed a three-day approval period if their films to be shot in Thailand deal with non-sensitive issues, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani.

Suvit yesterday said the ministry would order the Fine Arts Department, the Forestry Department and other related bodies to grant speedy permission in order to attract more foreign films.

The Fine Arts Department and Forestry Department control many venues popular with film-makers and should be able to approve requests themselves, Suvit said.

He said department directors could grant approval to avoid the lengthier process of consulting a minister. However, permission would only be given for non-sensitive movies. "If the film is not bothering our natural sites, culture, heritage or community, we will let them proceed," said Suvit.
The Thailand Film Office will help film-makers to obtain visas and work permits and to bring in equipment from abroad.

Foreign producers have been asking the government to reduce the tax on imported equipment and to provide more benefits.

In 2006, there were 14 foreign films shot in Thailand. One still under production is "Big Hit in Bangkok", a remake of "Bangkok Dangerous" by Hong Kong twins Oxide and Danny Pang. The movie features Hollywood star Nicolas Cage and well-known Thai actors Chakrit Yamnam and Dom Haetrakoon, with an estimated production cost of Bt220 million.

Hong Kong producers have returned to Thailand after a few years of decline because of alternative locations in China.

Two films were recently completed. One is "Secret Action", directed by Yuan Sai Sang and featuring Hong Kong superstars Cheng Yee Kim, Fu Lek and Fung Stephen Gin. Another is "Protg", starring Andy Lau and filmed partly in Chiang Rai.

Although these films were each made on small budgets of Bt3 million, there was a benefit to local companies working with the Hong Kong producers.

Indian producers are increasingly looking to Thailand to shoot music videos featuring panoramic views on beautiful beaches and islands such as Koh Poda, Maya Beach and the Phi Phi islands in Krabi province.
The estimated production cost for each Indian film is about Bt5 million.
The French government has also sponsored a Bt15-million film named "Cargo". The film was shot in cargo boats along the Chao Phya River and Koh Sichung in Chon Buri province.

Foreign film production in Thailand this year will take place in Bangkok, Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ratchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The estimated cost of all productions amounts to more than Bt500 million.
Suchat Sritama
Source: The Nation: Fri, February 23, 2007

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/23/business/business_30027636.php

Production Stills: Kolson Snack

Production Still of Kolson Snack, "Snacker Brand" corn ships shot in Thailand. Kolson is the leading in Snack & Pasta product in Pakistan. Check out the clip of the ad below.

Headline: Film approvals to speed up with one-stop shop

Business >> Monday February 12, 2007
by: CHATRUDEE THEPARAT

Foreign producers will spend less time getting permission to shoot films in Thailand after a one-stop service office opens some time in the next two months.

It would take one day to approve film shoots for commercials, music videos and TV shows, instead of several days to weeks currently according to Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani.

For feature films and documentaries, which require script approval, the process would take only two weeks, he said.

The cabinet last month approved the establishment of a "one-stop service" office for international film producers working in Thailand. It hopes the office will promote investments in film production and bring in more foreign revenue.

The office, located at the Office of Tourism Development, will be run by representatives from various agencies, including the Culture Ministry, the Fine Arts Department, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and the Labour Ministry. Mr Suvit said he would hold talks with the agencies later this month and ask them to provide staff with full authority to make approvals.

Wanasiri Morakul, director of the Thailand Film Office, said it was not necessary to take a long time to approve music videos or commercials, as most could be produced in studios. But feature films are different as most use outdoor locations.

Activists claim that during the shooting of The Beach, in 2000 on Koh Phi Phi, the national park was damaged. The filmmaker has denied the claims.

Ms Wanasiri said revenue from foreign film production in Thailand had come mainly from advertising, music videos, documentaries and television shows. Many of them used local post-production houses.

Long feature-film shoots have been more scarce, with only two to three per year. Recently, two high-profile productions have used Thailand: Rambo IV starring Sylvester Stallone, and American Gangster starring Denzel Washington.

The statistics show revenue from foreign film shoots in 2006 was nearly two billion baht, compared with only 400 million in 1998. The amount of productions also increased to 490, from 290 in 1998.

She said the Tourism Authority of Thailand, together with the Export Promotion Department and the Board of Investment, would introduce the new one-stop service for US producers during a trade and investment promotional trip in April.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/12Feb2007_biz32.php

Poll: Which Version of Pantene Ad do you like better?

Below are Pantene Ads for Pakistan which was produced by Benetone Films. Version 1 & 2 are the Agency Cut and there is the Director's Cut. Just for fun, take our poll and let us know which one you like the best.

Version 1



Version 2



Director's Cut