Five Star Production
Encyclopedia
Five Star Production Co. Ltd. is a Thai
film
production company
. It was founded in 1973 by Kiat Iamphungphorn and is today headed by his younger brother, Charoen Iamphungporn, and Kiat's children, Aphiradee and her younger brothers Kiatkamon and Kiattikul. The company's films include the works of Wisit Sasanatieng
(Tears of the Black Tiger
, Citizen Dog) and Pen-Ek Ratanaruang
(Ruang Talok 69
, Monrak Transistor
, Last Life in the Universe
, Invisible Waves
). Other directors associated with Five Star include Thanit Jitnukul, Bhandit Rittakol
and Poj Arnon
.
. Tears of the Black Tiger
by Wisit Sasanathieng, was the first Thai film to compete at Un Certain Regard at Cannes Film Festival in 2001, followed by Monrak Transistor
by Pen-ek Ratanaruang
that was selected at Director’s Fortnight of Cannes Film Festival in 2002 and Last Life in the Universe
by Pen-ek Ratanaruang
, Five Star’s biggest co-production at the time, was rewarded by many awards, including the best leading actor award at Venice Film Festival in 2003.
was garnered with international recognition from the 58th Locarno International Film Festival Switzerland, and the Toronto International Film Fest, Dragons and Tigers Series for the Vancouver International Film Festival. Time Magazine even regarded “Citizen Dog” as one of the best top 10 movies of the world for 2005.
An example of collaborating with other international artists is with the 2006 production “Black Night
”which combined the direction of three directors from Hong Kong (Patrick Leung’s “Next Door”), Japan (Takahiko Akiyama’s “Dark Hole”) and Thailand (Thanit Jitnukul’s “The Lost Memory”).
With the Quinzaine des Realisateurs (Directors’ Fortnight) Cannes 2007 selection for “Ploy
” directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang in a co production with Fortissimo Films. It was the director’s second time chosen for the category at Cannes. Not only at Cannes was the film a success, but also in India for the Fipresci 9th Asian’s Cinefan Fest of Asian and Arab Cinema 2007.
“Muay Thai Chaiya
” was released immediately after Ploy and was a film to honor the roots of Thai Martial Arts. Selected as the closing film for The Bangkok International Film Fest 2007, the film continued to Miami and Italy to name a few.
in 1979, expanding its activities to TV programs production and producing drama series between 1992 and 1998, even creating a Variety Show aiming at discovering new talents and that has launched the careers of dozen of Thailand’s famous actors and actresses. Five Star has recently created a new division, Stadio, a full-service provider for film marketing already reputed for the quality and qualification of its staff.
Owing to a fast development that leant on the company’s purpose to make quality films for Thai people, Five Star has become one of the leading movie production companies in Thailand and stands now as the Home of Thai Movies. Five Star’s film collection comprises about 250 films, made by the 70 Thai film directors the company has been working with, including many of the most famous ones.
Cinema of Thailand
The cinema of Thailand dates back to the early days of filmmaking, when King Chulalongkorn's 1897 visit to Bern, Switzerland was recorded by Francois-Henri Lavancy-Clarke. The film was then brought to Bangkok, where it was exhibited...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
production company
Production company
A production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.- Tasks and functions :...
. It was founded in 1973 by Kiat Iamphungphorn and is today headed by his younger brother, Charoen Iamphungporn, and Kiat's children, Aphiradee and her younger brothers Kiatkamon and Kiattikul. The company's films include the works of Wisit Sasanatieng
Wisit Sasanatieng
Wisit Sasanatieng is a Thai film director and screenwriter of Chinese descent...
(Tears of the Black Tiger
Tears of the Black Tiger
Tears of the Black Tiger is a 2000 Thai western film written and directed by Wisit Sasanatieng. The story of a tragic romance between Dum, a fatalistic, working-class hero, who has become an outlaw, and Rumpoey, the upper-class daughter of a provincial governor, it is equal parts homage to and...
, Citizen Dog) and Pen-Ek Ratanaruang
Pen-Ek Ratanaruang
Pen-Ek Ratanaruang is a Thai film director and screenwriter. He is best known for his arthouse work, Last Life in the Universe, and is considered to be one of Thai cinema's leading "new wave" auteurs, alongside Wisit Sasanatieng and Apichatpong Weerasethakul...
(Ruang Talok 69
Ruang Talok 69
Ruang Talok 69 , is a 1999 Thai crime film written and directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. It is the second feature film by the Thai writer-director. It stars Lalita Panyopas, a popular star of Thai soap operas.-Plot:Tum is a secretary working for a bank when the company is forced to shed staff...
, Monrak Transistor
Monrak Transistor
Monrak Transistor is a 2001 Thai film directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. Blending several genres, including comedy, romance, musical and crime, it is the story of a young man named Pan and his odyssey after he goes AWOL from the army and tries to make it as a luk thung singing star.-Plot:The story...
, Last Life in the Universe
Last Life in the Universe
Last Life in the Universe is a 2003 Thai film directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. The film is notable for being trilingual; the two main characters flit from Thai to Japanese to English as their vocabulary requires...
, Invisible Waves
Invisible Waves
Invisible Waves is a 2006 crime film by Thai director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, with screenplay by Prabda Yoon, cinematography by Christopher Doyle, and starring Tadanobu Asano – all people that Pen-Ek had worked with on his previous film, Last Life in the Universe...
). Other directors associated with Five Star include Thanit Jitnukul, Bhandit Rittakol
Bhandit Rittakol
Bhandit Rittakol was an award-winning Thai film director, producer and screenwriter. His films include the controversial biographical film of Thai communist revolutionary Seksan Prasertkul, The Moonhunter; the jungle thriller Tigress of King River and The Seed , a semi-documentary story of Isan...
and Poj Arnon
Poj Arnon
-Career:Poj began his career in the 1980s as an advertising sales manager for Ter-Kab-Chan Magazine, eventually becoming the magazine's chief editor. His work on the magazine enabled him to scout out and groom many of the Thai teen movie stars of the era....
.
Introduction
Five Star Production has been one of the first Thai film production company to present films in international festivals since 1976 with The War LordThe War Lord
The War Lord is a 1965 film starring Charlton Heston, Richard Boone, Rosemary Forsyth, Guy Stockwell, Maurice Evans, Niall MacGinnis, Henry Wilcoxon and James Farentino, with Jon Alderson, Allen Jaffe, Sammy Ross, and Woodrow Parfrey. The film was directed by the future Oscar winning Director...
. Tears of the Black Tiger
Tears of the Black Tiger
Tears of the Black Tiger is a 2000 Thai western film written and directed by Wisit Sasanatieng. The story of a tragic romance between Dum, a fatalistic, working-class hero, who has become an outlaw, and Rumpoey, the upper-class daughter of a provincial governor, it is equal parts homage to and...
by Wisit Sasanathieng, was the first Thai film to compete at Un Certain Regard at Cannes Film Festival in 2001, followed by Monrak Transistor
Monrak Transistor
Monrak Transistor is a 2001 Thai film directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. Blending several genres, including comedy, romance, musical and crime, it is the story of a young man named Pan and his odyssey after he goes AWOL from the army and tries to make it as a luk thung singing star.-Plot:The story...
by Pen-ek Ratanaruang
Pen-Ek Ratanaruang
Pen-Ek Ratanaruang is a Thai film director and screenwriter. He is best known for his arthouse work, Last Life in the Universe, and is considered to be one of Thai cinema's leading "new wave" auteurs, alongside Wisit Sasanatieng and Apichatpong Weerasethakul...
that was selected at Director’s Fortnight of Cannes Film Festival in 2002 and Last Life in the Universe
Last Life in the Universe
Last Life in the Universe is a 2003 Thai film directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. The film is notable for being trilingual; the two main characters flit from Thai to Japanese to English as their vocabulary requires...
by Pen-ek Ratanaruang
Pen-Ek Ratanaruang
Pen-Ek Ratanaruang is a Thai film director and screenwriter. He is best known for his arthouse work, Last Life in the Universe, and is considered to be one of Thai cinema's leading "new wave" auteurs, alongside Wisit Sasanatieng and Apichatpong Weerasethakul...
, Five Star’s biggest co-production at the time, was rewarded by many awards, including the best leading actor award at Venice Film Festival in 2003.
Production House
The feedback from worldwide audiences did not stop, as constant box office hits are continually released from Five Star Production Company Limited. “Citizen Dog” was well received and honored in 2005 for best visual effects. The filmFilm
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
was garnered with international recognition from the 58th Locarno International Film Festival Switzerland, and the Toronto International Film Fest, Dragons and Tigers Series for the Vancouver International Film Festival. Time Magazine even regarded “Citizen Dog” as one of the best top 10 movies of the world for 2005.
An example of collaborating with other international artists is with the 2006 production “Black Night
Black Night
"Black Night" is a song by British hard rock band Deep Purple, first released as a single in June 1970 and later included on the 25th Year Anniversary version of their 1970 album, In Rock. The song became a hit following its release, peaking at #2 on UK charts, and to this day remains Deep Purple's...
”which combined the direction of three directors from Hong Kong (Patrick Leung’s “Next Door”), Japan (Takahiko Akiyama’s “Dark Hole”) and Thailand (Thanit Jitnukul’s “The Lost Memory”).
With the Quinzaine des Realisateurs (Directors’ Fortnight) Cannes 2007 selection for “Ploy
Ploy
Ploy is a 2007 Thai film written and directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. The film premiered during the Directors' Fortnight at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival....
” directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang in a co production with Fortissimo Films. It was the director’s second time chosen for the category at Cannes. Not only at Cannes was the film a success, but also in India for the Fipresci 9th Asian’s Cinefan Fest of Asian and Arab Cinema 2007.
“Muay Thai Chaiya
Muay Thai Chaiya
Muay Thai Chaiya or Chaiya is a 2007 Thai drama film about two talented muay Thai boxers, boyhood friends whose lives take divergent paths after they arrive in Bangkok...
” was released immediately after Ploy and was a film to honor the roots of Thai Martial Arts. Selected as the closing film for The Bangkok International Film Fest 2007, the film continued to Miami and Italy to name a few.
Company Info
Five Star Production Established in 1973, Five Star Production Company Limited is one of Thailand’s most experienced production and distribution houses. Along the years, Five Star Production has developed, founding the first Motion Picture Studio in ThailandThailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
in 1979, expanding its activities to TV programs production and producing drama series between 1992 and 1998, even creating a Variety Show aiming at discovering new talents and that has launched the careers of dozen of Thailand’s famous actors and actresses. Five Star has recently created a new division, Stadio, a full-service provider for film marketing already reputed for the quality and qualification of its staff.
Owing to a fast development that leant on the company’s purpose to make quality films for Thai people, Five Star has become one of the leading movie production companies in Thailand and stands now as the Home of Thai Movies. Five Star’s film collection comprises about 250 films, made by the 70 Thai film directors the company has been working with, including many of the most famous ones.