On July 15, the Thai Film Archive hosted the screening of Santi-Vina, the 1954 classic Thai film whose negative prints were thought to be lost before they were discovered at the British Film Institute in London two years ago. After a lengthy restoration process by a lab in Italy and a world premiere in Cannes, Santi-Vina returned home after six decades. The screening at Scala last Friday is sure to become a chapter in Thai cinema history: it was an emotional homecoming and the 800-seat theatre was full to the tilt, something that hadn't happened at the venue for a long time.
Because the interest in the film has run high since the Cannes showing, additional screenings have been scheduled: Santi-Vina will show at SF CentralWorld on July 28 and 29 at 7pm, and on July 30 and 31 at 2pm. Tickets can be reserved now at the cinema.
The first Thai film to be shot in colour on 35mm, Santi-Vina was directed by Thavi Na Bangchang (or Marut) and produced by Hanuman Production. It tells the story of a blind man called Santi and his lover Vina, a fearless young woman who will do anything to defy prejudices and be with the man she loves. Santi is played by Poonpan Rangkhavorn and Vina by Rayvadi Sriwilai -- watch her, and you'll never forget her.
Anuchat Tosayananda.
Those who saw Santi-Vina when it first came out in 1954 must be at least in their late 70s or 80s now. It was believed that all cast and crew had already passed away. But when news of the discovery of the long-lost film spread, Thai Film Archive set out to look for anyone involved with the film who're still alive, and they hit the jackpot -- they received a phone call from Anuchat Tosayananda, who played Vina as a child.
At the screening last Friday, Anuchat, in her mid-70s, was among the audience (she was too shy to appear at the introduction). But fans found out who she was and a long line for a selfie formed near the cinema entrance. It was the first time she had seen the film in 62 years.
Last month Anuchat, who never appeared in any film again, gave a brief interview to the Thai Film Archive's journal. We have an excerpt here:
How did you get the part of young Vina?
The crew were shooting in Phetchaburi province [where I lived with my grandmother]. I biked to look at the filming with my nanny. I was right up at the front. They picked two or three kids, and somehow Marut [the director] and Ratana [the producer] saw me and asked me if I wanted to be in the film. They came and asked for permission at my house. I then went for an audition and I got the part.
What about the boy who played young Santi?
He was cast from Bangkok.
What was it like on the set?
I don't remember it very well. We shot in Khao Luang Cave [the scene where Santi goes to live with a monk] and it was so beautiful with all the stalactites and stalagmites. All the Buddha images in the film were real. I remember that the camera was so big. I was told to rehearse the lines, but when we shot, the director would be there to read the lines for me to repeat.
Did you see the film when it was released in 1954?
Yes. I came to study at Saipanya School in Bangkok. The production gave me free tickets so I went to see it at a cinema in Pan Fah area. At school, other kids would look at me and say, 'That's Vina!'.
Anuchat Tosayananda, right, as young Vina in Santi-Vina.
Were you in any other film after Santi-Vina?
No. That was my only movie role. The same with Weerachai [the boy who played young Santi].
The film's credits didn't list your family name..
My mother didn't allow it. When I grew up, I was approached to be in other movies because they saw me in Santi-Vina. I was about to enter university, so my mother didn't let me do it because she wanted me to focus on my education. I got into the Faculty of Political Science at Chulalongkorn University. My family were always in the civil service. I later got a job at the Bureau of the Budget.
How did you know that the Thai Film Archive was looking for the cast and crew of the film?
I saw a television programme that talked about Santi-Vina and the Thai Film Archive. The show cut to a scene from Santi-Vina and I saw myself. I was a little shocked! I searched online for the contact of the archive, though at first I wasn't sure about revealing myself. But then I read about the efforts of the archive to search for the film that everyone thought had been lost forever, and I decided to contact them.
The crowd at Scala.
How did you feel when you heard that the film had been discovered and restored?
I never thought the film would be found again. It was a rebirth. We have to thank Ratana Pestonji, Marut, as well as Robert G North [the other producer], they were the people who made the film internationally well-known.
Santi-Vina will screen at SF CentralWorld on July 28 and 29 at 7pm, and on July 30 and 31 at 2pm. Tickets can be reserved now at the cinema.
