Sabaidee Luang Prabang

Infobox Film
name = Sabaidee Luang Prabang


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director = Sakchai Deenan
producer = Anousone Sirisackda
writer =
narrator =
starring = Ananda Everingham
music =
cinematography =
editing =
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released = 2008
runtime = 90 min.
country = Laos, Thailand
language = Lao
budget =
website =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 1192617

"Sabaidee Luang Prabang" ( _th. สะบายดี หลวงพะบาง, English title: "Good Morning, Luang Prabang") is a 2008 romantic drama film directed by Sakchai Deenan and starring Ananda Everingham. It was the first commercial film shot in Laos since the country adopted communism in 1975.

Plot

Sorn (Everingham), a Thai photographer visiting Laos, falls in love with his beautiful Laotian tour guide, Noi (Pallawong). The film features several tourist sites in Laos.

Cast

*Ananda Everingham: Sorn
*Khamlek Pallawong: Noi

Production

Director Sakchai Deenan claimed the plotline was inspired by a visit to Laos in which he fell in love with a Laotian woman and imagining her as a tour guide.cite news |first= |last= |url=http://news.id.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1440470 |title=Truly a premier, Laos releases its first film |accessdate=2008-07-28 |work=Agence France-Presse |publisher=MSN |date=2008-06-08 ] He deliberately created a simple plot "so it would not be too hard to get approval from the Lao government."cite news |first=Andrew |last=Buncombe |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/good-morning-luang-prabang-ndash-and-hello-to-laoss-film-industry-843557.html |title=Good Morning, Luang Prabang – and hello to Laos's film industry |accessdate=2008-07-28 |work=The Independent |publisher= |date=2008-06-10 ] Previously, the only Laotian films were propaganda and patriotism related, produced by the government. A government member oversaw the production of "Sabaidee Luang Prabang" so that it portayed Laotian culture in a positive manner and cut any scenes that the Lao government may perceive to be controversial.

Release

The film premiered on May 24, 2008 at one of Laos' two theaters (both located in its capital, Vientiane) and was released in Thai on June 5. Open-air screenings occurred throughout Laos, including the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. Upon its release, it was the first Laotian private film, authorities seeing "Sabaidee Luang Prabang" as the start of a new source of income. The aim of the film was also to encourage bilateral cooperation between Thailand and Laos.

References