THAILAND: STARS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE ATTEND OPENING OF BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL'S FIRST ANNUAL GOLDEN KINNAREE AWARDS

Record ID: 393164

  • Title: THAILAND: STARS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE ATTEND OPENING OF BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL'S FIRST ANNUAL GOLDEN KINNAREE AWARDS
  • Date: 23rd January 2003
  • Summary: MV BAND PLAYING IN LOBBY; SCU SAXOPHONIST IN THE LOBBY; MV PEOPLE GATHERING IN FRONT OF BAND
  • Embargoed: 7th February 2003 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BANGKOK FILM FESTIVAL
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA74Q6TF1TYL06QF8JKNV8L6W66
  • Story Text: Stars from across the globe have gathered for the opening of the Bangkok International Film Festival's first annual Golden Kinnaree awards.
    Thousands of screaming fans gathered in front of a Bangkok theatre to welcome some of Hollywood's hottest stars at the red-carpet gala opening of the Bangkok International Film Festival's Golden Kinnaree awards.
    In attendance were Hollywood heavyweights such as action stars Jean Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal, Academy Award nominee Jennifer Tilly and "Independence Day" actress Vivica A. Fox.
    The area in front of the theatre was sealed off for 300 guests attending the ceremony. Fans scrambled over the barricades to get a glimpse of movie stars arriving in their limousines as paparazzi and television crews swarmed over the theatre entrance.
    The majority of attendees were Asian celebrities such as Hong Kong actress Christy Chung and Thai actress and model Maetinee Kingyapom, both excited about the festival which they say hope will help develop Asia's movie industry.
    "I think it's about time and it's great. I think it's a big opportunity for Thailand to get a lot of good Hollywood movies in here and a lot of films. And its a good chance for us to dress up," said Maetinee.
    Despite the fact that big names such as Marisa Tomei and 'N Sync members Chris Kirkpatrick and Lance Bass dropped out at the last minute, the presence of many Hollwood stars suggests the increasingly important role that Asia plays in the global filmmaking industry.
    "Bangkok is really...we've been having the greatest time.
    I saw the Grand Palace and Jim Thompson's house and the people are very beautiful and it's a beautiful city," said Tilly. "I think it's about time they had a film festival in this part of the world and, you know, I hope to come back again some time."
    Both Seagal and Van Damme revealed that they will be making movies in Thailand during the year.
    The awards were launched with the Asian premiere of "Frida", starring Salma Hayek, Antonio Banderas and Edward Norton, which is one of the movies short-listed for the Kinnarees.
    The first Kinnaree was given to French Director Agnes Varda, who won a Lifetime Achievement award. The other awards, including the Golden Kinnaree for "Best Picture" will be given out at a ceremony on January 21.
    In the running are movie's such as "The Quiet American", starring Michael Caine, and Pedro Almodovar's "Talk to Her."
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