Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender-related films of Thailand

Transsexuals, transvestites and gays in Thai films are often portrayed as comic relief or villains. The characterisations are the usual gay stereotype of effeminate cross-dressing or transgender male.

In Thai language transvestites and transgenders are known as kathoey, commonly portrayed in the Thai media as "loud-mouthed, vulgar and emotionally unstable". [ [http://www.bangkokpost.net/education/site2007/infb2007.htm Fighting for fairness] , "Bangkok Post"; retrieved 2007-12-08] Another term is "tdoot" (ตุ๊ด), from the first syllable of the title of the 1982 American film "Tootsie", and used in the title of at least two films, "Saving Private Tootsie" (2002) and "Kung Fu Tootsie" (2007).

LGBT films and the Thai New Wave

Since the New Wave of Thai cinema in the late 1990s, several films have emerged that feature LGBT characters in leading roles.

One of the first was Youngyooth Thongkonthun's "The Iron Ladies", or "Satree lek", based on a true story about a transsexual/transvestite gay men's volleyball team that won a national championship in 1996. It was a huge hit on the international festival circuit. The 2000 comedy spawned a sequel in 2003, "The Iron Ladies 2" ("Satree lek 2").

More loosely based on a true incident was the 2002 film "Saving Private Tootsie", which tells the story of a group of gay and kathoey entertainers who are lost in rebel-held jungle territory after their plane crashes. A squad from the Thai army, led by a gruff, homophobic sergeant played by veteran actor Sorapong Chatree, goes to the rescue.

And the life of transgender Muay Thai champion Parinya Kiatbusaba (or Nong Tum) is related in 2003's "Beautiful Boxer", directed by Ekachai Uekorngtham. Unlike "The Iron Ladies", "Beautiful Boxer" was less comedic in tone.

The 2003 film "Tropical Malady", directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, depicts a romance between a Thai army soldier and a local small-town boy. The narrative of the film then abruptly shifts in the middle to relate a folk tale about a tiger shaman, with the soldier alone in the jungle, haunted by the tiger-shaman's spirit. The film won a jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

Apichatpong also co-directed the low-budget digital movie, "The Adventure of Iron Pussy", with artist Michael Shaowanasai, who portrays a transvestite secret agent. A musical, the movie also was an homage and a parody of the Thai films of the 1960s and '70s, with Shaowansai basing his character on the actress Petchara Chaowarat.

In 2005, Thai film "Rainbow Boys", depicting a contemporary gay relationship, produced by Vitaya Saeng-aroon, saw a limited-release screening. Vitaya also produced the comedy-drama "Club M2", set in a gay sauna. [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/11/03/lifestyle/lifestyle_30054727.php The real pride in being gay] , "The Nation (Thailand)"; retrieved 2007-11-17] And in 2006 there was "The Last Song", a remake of a 1985 Thai film about a transsexual cabaret dancer and her struggle to find acceptance and true love.

"Me ... Myself" ( _th. ขอให้รักจงเจริญ or "Kaw hai rak jong jaroen") is a 2007 Thai romantic drama film written and directed by actor-singer Pongpat Wachirabunjong. In the film, Ananda Everingham stars as a male dancer in a transvestite cabaret who must re-find himself after being struck by a car and suffering from amnesia.

Another 2007 film, "Bangkok Love Story", directed by Poj Arnon, was critically hailed as a departure from the stereotyped view of homosexuals as transvestites and transsexuals. Gay Thai independent film producer Vitaya Saeng-aroon praised the film, saying director Poj Arnon was "brave enough to shake society up". [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/11/03/lifestyle/lifestyle_30054727.php The real pride in being gay] , "The Nation (Thailand)"; retrieved 2007-11-17]

Yet another film in 2007, "The Love of Siam", featured a gay love story between two teenage boys as part of a multi-layered drama about one of the boy's family struggling to cope with tragedy and stay together.

List of LGBT-related Thai films

This is a list of Thai lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender-related films.

ee also

*List of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender-related films

References

External links

* [http://www.glaad.org/eye/cinequeer.php CineQueer] , GLAAD's guide to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender images in film