On Wednesday, June 25, 2008, Hong Kong’s Universe Entertainment Limited once again opened up its studio production set to eager journalists & media from Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Thailand to report on the production status of the anticipated title from the Pang brothers THE STORM WARRIORS, a continuation from the well known comic-adapted flick from 10 years ago, The Storm Riders.
          Mono Film organized selected Thai media to join the 2nd field visit at the studios in Pakkred, Nonthaburi along with the group of international journalists. The media were allowed on the actual set to witness & record a battle scene currently being filmed and separate interviews with the Pang Brothers and main cast consisting of Aaron Kwok, Ekin Cheng, Charlene Choi, Tang Yan, Simon Yam, Nicholas Tse, & Kenny Ho were organized.
          The production is scheduled to wrap up this July and proceed into its next computer graphic & post production stages to be released by end of 2009.

 THE STORM WARRIORS has taken Thailand by storm ten years later. A new 12million USD film project directed by the reputable CGI-savvy directors, the Pang Brothers (Oxide & Danny) has chosen Thailand as the location of production for nearly all of the film.
          In the summer of 1998, the comic-adapted movie THE STORMRIDERS starring pop idols Aaron Kwok and Ekin Cheng was released. Today, 10 years later, computer technology has revolutionized movie production which sets the way for this anticipated new film project which has started principle of photography in early April with an expected completion date of October 2009.
          On April 21, 2008, an international press conference was held on location during the production of the film in several huge warehouses in Pakkred, Nonthaburi. Journalists from Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, & Thailand attended to join the special blessing ceremony upon principle of photography, witnessed actual action scenes being filmed on set, and interviewed the directors, and main cast Aaron Kwok & Ekin Cheng. Mono Film Co., Ltd. organized and invited all Thai journalists to attend this press conference and represented Thailand for the distribution of this film.
          The Storm Warriors is presented by Universe Entertainment Limited of Hong Kong whose Chairman & Managing Director, Daneil S. M. Lam along with Chief Operation Officer, Alvin Lam attended. Both main characters Aaron Kwok & Ekin Cheng were highlights of the conference.

 On Thursday, April 24, 2008, Me Myself was screened for Club Members of the Foreign Correspondent’s Club of Thailand (FCCT) in the penthouse of the Maneeya Center. The screening was delayed from the original time of 20:00pm due to the stormy weather. Ananda Everingham & director Pongpat Wachirabunjong were guest speakers for an attentive audience before the screening of the film.

News below by Lekha Shankar:
          “It was a cozy home-coming for Aussie-Lao actor Ananda Everingham, when he came to the Foreign Correspondents Club, for the screening of his film 'Khaw Hai Rak Jong Jaroen' ( 'Me Myself' ),as part of the Club's monthly 'Contemporary World Film Series.'
          Waiting to receive him was his publisher- father John Everingham, a long-time member of the club, who used to take Ananda along with him, when the latter was in school.
          In fact, many of the bar-stewards remembered the cute, shy youngster, accompanying his father many years back, and were delighted to meet him again, in his new role as a famous movie icon.
          Ananda mixed freely with them, and spoke frankly to the audience about his film-career. He said he worked at his 'transvestite' role in the film, by thinking of the women he was close to, like his mother Keo and girl friend Jeed.
          Ananda was accompanied by the Director of the film, Pongpat Wachirabunjong, who has just completed a second film with the actor ' Happy Birthday', to be released soon, and his model-actress girl friend 'Jeed' Sangthong Ked-uthong.”

 Press Conference :
          Mono Film Co., Ltd. led by Managing Director & Producer Mr. Jirun Ratthanaviriyachai held their official press conference introducing their latest comedy flick I.C.U: Ghost of Fine Arts University directed by (Zongth) Tharatorn Siriphunvaraporn in the cozy environment of the Ban Rai Caf? on the busy corner of Sukhumvit & Ekkamai on March 26, 2008.
          Main cast members Kachapa Tonsaroen (aka Mod Dum) & Chavalit Srimankongthum (aka DJ Chow Chow) lit up the stage as the event’s hosts cracking jokes at each other & creating a fun & humorous atmosphere for the crowd of journalists & guests.
          In addition to the hosts other cast members attending the press conference included Janesuda Parnto, Nakarin Kulkalyadee, Matchime Jindaruk, & newcomer actress Angsuma Saparakpanya. Main actor (Oil) Thana Suttikamon was unable to attend due to filming another project.
          After introductions & discussions about the film, a surprise music video presentation of the theme song was played “Tum Boon Ruam Chaad” covered by the infamous three actors Oil-Thana, Mod Dum, & DJ Chow Chow who turned the original song into a lively hip hop piece. A group photo including executives, director, main cast, & guests concluded the cheerful press conference.



Press Screening :
          Major Cineplex Ratchyotin was the venue for Mono Film’s official press screening for their feel-good comedy I.C.U: Ghost of Fine Arts University (aka Puen Gun Shapoh Wan Pra). On Thursday, April 8, 2008, Thai journalists & film industry executives & individuals gathered at the Cineplex for the event with host DJ Krit Sriphumsaed conducting the show as he introduced & welcomed to the stage for a brief Q&A with producer Mr. Jirun Ratthanaviriyachai, director (Zongth) Tharatorn Siriphunvaraporn about how the film came to be. Q&A with the main cast allowed for an opportunity of any cast members to share any of their production experiences & working with each other as a team.
          The event ended in a traditional group photo shot and an announcement of the official Thai public premiere of the film on April 10, 2008. The evening’s press screening immediately proceeded at a bit past 20:00pm.

 Mono Film has started out the year 2008 fresh by hosting an official press conference for their new epic-adventure film Siyama: Village of Warriors this past January 9th at the SF Cinema City theater complex at Central World. Before the official opening of the press conference, a moment of silence was paid in respects to King Bhumibol’s older sister, Her Royal Highness Princess Galayni Vadhana, who had just recently passed away earlier on January 2, 2008.
          The Siyama team was led onto the stage by director Preecha Songsakul followed by the main cast including Thun Thanakorn, Thitima Maliwan, Nuttanan Juntarawet, Sompob Benjatikul, Manop Assawadeb, NaTakon Kongsib, and Pipasaporn Porpikul. The popular DJ and TV host “Mod Dum”- Kachapa Thunjaroen was the official event host for that afternoon.
          As an introduction to the film, a behind-the-scenes VTR scoop was played for the press audience followed by the dramatic music video of the film’s theme song “By Your Side” sung by Papang, an Academy Fantasia season 4 finalist. And the event was then led into the Q&A- Interview sessions from the director, producer- Jirun Ratthanaviriyachai, and main cast members whom all spread the message for people to love and respect their Thai heritage and their country of Siam. The film premieres theatrically to the Thai public on Thursday, January 31, 2008!
          www.siyamamovie.com

 Mono Film had a successful night for their extravagant Press Screening for their new epic-adventure flick Siyama: Village of Warriors. The event was held in the heart of Bangkok on the 5th floor of the Paragon Cineplex Movie complex at Siam Paragon.
          The crowd gathered around the large stage that was set-up for the event starting around 19.00pm. The show started out with a demonstration of the “celestial land-guarding ceremony” (Fah Kum Pan Din) before the returning guest host of the evening’s event “Mod Dum”- Kachapa Thunjaroen came onto the stage to get things started.
          Special performances included the theme song “Kiang Kang Tur” (By Your Side) sung live by Papang of Academy Fantasia Season 4 with all of her fan club showing their support in the crowd by holding light signs and cheering her on. A brief interview took place onstage after her performance.
          The next show was a fashion show of the various costume ensembles in the film all created by top-notch designer Kai Ugus. The fashion show was divided up into segments of first, the female attire of the villagers of Siyama quickly following the men’s line where the models included their own display of action sequences for the audience to see. The fashion show proceeded on with the attire from the Invading troops in dark black tones. The fashion show ended with the models bringing out the designer herself where Managing Director, Mr. Jirun Ratthanaviriyachai presented her with a bouquet of white roses.
          Brief Q&A sessions with the Producer-Jirun Ratthanaviriyachai, Director-Preecha Songsakul, and main cast took place before the event wrapped up with a group shot including all VIP guests, Chairman- Mr. Pete Bodharamik, CEO- Dr. Soraj Asavaprapha, producer & director, as well as the main cast.
          Official theatrical release nationwide is set for January 31, 2008!
          www.siyamamovie.com