This film is a dreamlike journey through the ancient Thai arts. The main figures of this dream are 8 Khon dancers and 8 boxers, who converse through their own bodies: the typical figures of the Khon dance, some of them symbolizing animal figures like the monkey or the peacock, alternate with the Ram Muay, the traditional propitiatory dance that has always preceded the meetings with Muay Thai. On the boxers’ hands, we can see the masks painted by Master Ontani and realized according to the ancient Thai technique.

Luigi Ontani, Ekachai Uekrongtham
/ Editing Luigi Ontani, Ekachai Uekrongtham
/ Music Noppon Noysesthee, Pawat Jundarak, Prajak Jitaroon
Cast Ussanee Suwan, Tanakom Tahin, Samroeng Tahin, Jirayu Yommanak, Pongpipat Suwanmala
Production Fondazione Musica per Roma
Year of production 2006
Running time 18’
Format mini DV

LUIGI ONTANI

Born in Vergato, he moved 1970 to Rome. He is acknowledged as one of the most representative experimental artists developing different languages of the contemporary art. Using videos, performances, photography, the most traditional techniques and of painting coloured sculpture, he rediscovers the values of applied art leading the artisans to exploit an exceptional virtuosity. He has exhibited in the most prestigious galleries and museums in Italy and abroad, he was invited five times at the Biennale in Venice.

EKACHAI UEKRONGTHAM

Born in Thailand, the award-winning film and theatre director is also the founding artistic director of ACTION Theatre, one of Singapore’s premier professional theatre companies. His first feature film Beautiful Boxer based on the true story of Thailand’s famed transvestite kickboxer premiered in Berlin and has garnered 14 international and local awards. On the theatre front, he’s conceptualized, produced and directed the hit stage musical Chang & Eng (1997), which has toured extensively in Asia and played to full houses and wide critical acclaim. It’s the first English-language stage musical to be performed in China. He has directed and produced numerous plays and musicals in Singapore, China, America, Malaysia and Thailand.