Each year Bangkok cinephiles look forward to the ‘German Cinema Under the Stars’ free film series, which takes place every Tuesday at 7:30pm in the spacious courtyard of the Goethe-Institut Thailand (Soi Sathon 1). Although the series began this year on January 9th, the films continue until February 27th, so several screenings remain.
On February 2nd catch The Best of All Worlds, director Adrian Goiginger’s semi-autobiographical 2017 film which follows a young boy growing up with a heroin-addicted mother. This is followed on February 13th with Blue My Mind, a 2017 coming-of-age drama written and directed by Lisa Brühlmann from Switzerland. Then, on February 20th, don’t miss Magical Mystery, a 2017 film set against the backdrop of a drug-fuelled EDM festival. Finally, the series concludes with Toni Erdmann, Marin Ade’s award-winning 2016 comedy about a woman who must spend time with her estranged father when he comes for a surprise visit.
Meanwhile, over at the Foreign Correspondent’s Club of Thailand (518/5 Ploenchit Rd, Maneeya Center, Penthouse), there are four special film screenings this month which are part of the ongoing Monday night FCCT documentary series. All films are shown with Thai subtitles, and a discussion follows each screening. The films begin at 7pm, and admission is free for members (B150 for non-members). There’s also an optional buffet for just B250.
The series begins on February 5th with Life Animated (2016), the story of an autistic child who was unable to speak until he and his family discovered a unique way to communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney animated films. On February 12th the doc is entitled (T)ERROR, a 2015 film which follows undercover FBI informant Saeed ‘Shariff’ Torres as he engages in a sting operation targeting a white Muslim man named Khalifah Ali Al-Akili. On February 19th it’s The Graduation (2016), which is being screened in French with English and Thai subtitles. It documents the rigorous admissions process at one of France’s most prestigious filmmaking institutions. Finally, on February 26th, the memorable 2005 doc Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room—a study of one of the largest business scandals in American history—will be shown.
Finally, the TK Park movie series returns on Saturday February 10th at 4pm with the deeply moving Iranian film Leila (1996). Having discovered their love, Leila and Reza get married only to discover the infertility of Leila. Agitated by her mother-in-law she starts pushing her husband to marry a second wife (which is allowed in Iran). This screening is supported by the Cultural Centre of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Bangkok, who will serve Iranian snacks and tea after the screening. The Thailand Knowledge (TK) Park is located on the 8th floor of CentralWorld (999/9 Rama 1 Rd), and tickets are only B20 each.
