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The Japan Foundation, Bangkok, in collaboration with Thai Film Archive (TFA) proudly presented the special screenings of “Japanese & Thai Prewar Talkies,” showcasingthe very first Japanese and Thai sound films in the film history of both countries during Friday 6 to Sunday 8 June 2025 at Thai Film Archive, Nakhonpathom Province. This program originated from the Professional Development and Networking Initiatives for ASEAN – Japan Film Programmers and Curators, co-organized by the Japan Foundation and TIFF Lounge (co-presented by the Japan Foundation and Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF)) during 28 October – 4 November 2024, with an aim to foster networking and encourage to “re-discover” and “re-evaluate” Japanese films from perspectives of film programmers and curators from ASEAN and Japan.
Japanese and Thai cinema have significantly shared some connections in the history. During the silent film period, to start with, it was Mr. WATANABE Tomoyori who established the first theater so called “Rong Nang Yipun (literally, means Japanese Film Theater)” at Bangkok in 1905. Later, the tradition of Japanese Benshi (the voice artist who does the live narration along with the silent film) had been introduced to Thailand by Mr. Tuan Yawapraphat, in 1928 before the Wasuwat brothers made Going Astray, the first Thai sound film, in 1932, one year after the first Japanese sound film. In 1935, the Watsuwat brothers built Srikung sound film studio, the first one in Thailand, marking the exchange of studio visits by Japanese studio crews afterwards.
Although the making of Thai sound films started shortly after the Japanese ones prior to the Second World War, almost all of Thai sound films were lost. On the contrary, the Japanese sound films have still been well archived until nowadays for younger generations to study and appreciate. Thus, our special program of “Japanese & Thai Prewar Talkies” revitalized the prime and transformative moment of Japanese and Thai film history by showing indispensable masterpieces of famed directors, including The Neighbor’s Wife and Mine (1931), Japan’s first all – sound feature film, Tipsy Life (1933), the first Japanese musical film, Wife! Be Like a Rose! (1935) by NARUSE Mikio, The Only Son (1936) by OZU Yasujiro, as well as Final Take (1986) by YAMADA Yoji to complement background of film transformation era. Meanwhile, two major Thai fragments, comprising Leuad Chaona (1936) and Pid Thong Lang Phra (1939), and Klong Chang (1938), the documentary sound film made by a Japanese film crew about the elephant roundup ceremony, will be on screen as well.
On this occasion, Mr. UEDA Masayuki, the Programmer from Wasedashochiku (the classic independent cinema in Tokyo), along with Mr. Putthaphong Cheamrattonyu, the film curator from Thai Film Archive, jointly shared their knowledge on captivating perspectives of each film in the program in the Pre-Screening Talk. We anticipated that this event would help broaden mutual understanding about Japanese and Thai cinema history, thus paving the way for further collaboration in the film industry between both countries in the long run.
About Mr. UEDA Masayuki
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| Photo courtesy of UEDA Masayuki |
Program Director of Wasedashochiku, a traditional movie theater in Tokyo. He also writes, directs, and distributes films. Major works include: “Tales of Iya” (2013/ screenplay), “The Night I Swam” (2017/ assistant director), “SUPER HAPPY FOREVER” (2024 / line producer), and “Black Ox” (2024/ screenplay). He believes in whatever it takes to be involved in film.
He organizes weekly double feature screenings at the Wasedashochiku movie theater. The program freely combines old and new films from around the world, and is well known for all film lovers in Tokyo.
Co- organized by
Photos of Opening of the Special Screening Program of
“Japanese & Thai Prewar Talkies”
6 – 8 June 2025
Thai Film Archive
