Bangkok 2001

Abstract

IN THE MOOD FOR FILMS: BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2001 The prospect of watching a good selection of indie films from more than 20 countries and the best of Thai shorts in competition should be attractive enough for most film buffs but the 4th Bangkok Film Festival (15th-25th November 2001) also promised the presence of the legendary director Wong Kar-wai and his star Leung Chiu-wai at the Gala opening film, In the Mood for Love (HK, 2000) in what is now one of Thailand's most important cultural events. Both honoured guests, however, failed to turn up to the disappointment of the eagerly-awaiting media and the many admirers at the grand opening. With hindsight, perhaps some other equally worthy film such as Kurosawa Kiyoshi's Pulse (Kairo, Japan, 2001) or Tsai Ming-liang's latest masterpiece, What Time Is It There? (Taiwan-France, 2001) should have taken pride of place instead, knowing the unpredictability...