The Overture (2004)
"Hom rong" (original title)

Based on the life of Luang Pradit Pairoh (Sorn Silapabanleng) the most revered traditional Thai music master who lived during the reigns of Kings Rama V to VIII, the movie traces the life ... See full summary »

Director:

Ittisoontorn Vichailak

Writers:

Peerasak Saksiri, Dolkamol Sattatip,

Stars:

Anuchit Sapanpong, Adul Dulyarat, Pongpat Wachirabunjong

9 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anuchit Sapanpong	...	Sorn
Adul Dulyarat	...	Elderly Sorn
Pongpat Wachirabunjong	...	Lieutenant Colonel Veera
Narongrit Tosa-nga	...	Kun In
Phoovarit Phumpuang	...	Terd
Sompob Benjathikul	...	His Royal Highness
Kiat Punpiputt	...	Master Sin
Arratee Tanmahapran	...	Chote (1880s)
Sumeth Ong-ard	...	Prasit
Somlek Sakdikul	...	Master Tian (as Somchai Sakdikul)
Lookpoo Doksedeo	...	Piak
Supaluk Uttamawetin	...	Chote (older)
Aunnop Anawat	...	Tew
Chumphorn Thepphithak	...	Tew
Krit Suwannapaph	...	Second Lieutenant

Storyline

Based on the life of Luang Pradit Pairoh (Sorn Silapabanleng) the most revered traditional Thai music master who lived during the reigns of Kings Rama V to VIII, the movie traces the life of Sorn, who picked up the ra-nad ek (Thai xylophone) mallets as a small child and played all his life. The backdrop to Sorn's life tale is the story of Thailand's classical music from its golden age during the reign of King Rama V to near extinction after the end of the absolute monarchy when the government banned it as uncivilised in the 1930s -- a time when Field Marshall Plaek Pibulsongkram tried to push the Kingdom into the modern era. The film shifts back and forth from the time when Sorn was a young man, playing in a xylophone duel with the intense Kun In, to the 1940s, when Thailand was under Japanese occupation and Sorn's playing would provide some inspiration to the oppressed citizenry of the time.

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Plot Keywords:

thailand | musician

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Details

Country:

Thailand

Language:

Thai

Release Date:

2004 (Thailand)

Also Known As:

The Overture

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$825 (USA) (7 October 2005)

Gross:

$2,054 (USA) (21 October 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sahamongkolfilm Co.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Narongrit Tosa-Nga, playing the part of Kun-In is a famous ranad-ek player in Thailand. When he and Sorn first meet, the music that Khun-In is playing is actually from a tape recording of Narongrit performing on television when he was eight years old.

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Goofs

Although set in the 1930s and 40s, the young people all have modern hairstyles.

User Reviews

Best Thai movie in years

I am proud that the new generation has produced a great movie like Hom Rong. Thai people should be glad that there is at least a group of people who celebrate our beautiful culture and our unique way of life that is calm, beautiful, contemplative, and modest. The movie brings out the distinct character of Thai civilization. Hom Rong has romance but is not dirty, Thai history that is both real and engaging, music that is both original and creative, and actors and actress who portray appropriately the unique Thai spirit and temperament that are hard to find in the present.

It is sad that there are still so many Thai people who have never had an opportunity to touch the beauty of the lifestyle of past Thai generations. Many have ignored being Thai and appreciate only Western art without learning both before judging them.