Glam & glitz in Bangkok

My birthday celebration continues to extend this year. It feels like I’ve been celebrating it for two weeks now.

I came from Manila to Davao, then back to Manila to head over here in Bangkok. I’ve been very fortunate to have been able to travel so many times for the first two quarters of this year.

I couldn’t believe I’m in Bangkok, staying in a beautiful huge room in the Four Seasons Hotel for the fifth year of the Bangkok International Film Festival (BIFF).

Last year, my manager and I were invited by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to the Bangkok International Film Festival opening night.

Diana Zubiri, who has the same manager as me, joined us for the first time in this event. The BIFF started in 2003 and is celebrated annually by a Royal Thai government agency.

Over a hundred films are viewed throughout the festival from filmmakers in Asia.

The opening night was last Thursday at Central World Plaza. It was quite an event, with all the different personalities and cameras flashing as Diana and I walked the red carpet.

This year seems to be a whole lot more glamorous than last year. I felt like I was in Hollywood. There were so many lights, cameras, and press people on the side.

It reminds me of the show Five Minutes to Fame, except I would call this one seven-minute international fame, where we felt like the whole world was watching us.

Media from different countries covered the festival, as if it were the Miss Universe Pageant.

The red carpet was very long and it seemed like the cameras flashing and interviews were never-ending. Locals and other nationalities waved and smiled at Diana and me as we stopped for the clusters of photographers to get a shot.    

The red carpet on the ground floor led us to an elevator that took us to the seventh floor, where it continued all the way to the cinemas.       Movie directors, producers and various actors were there waiting for the opening ceremony. The Minister of Tourism and Sports, Dr. Suvit Yodmani, gave his inspirational speech.

He mentioned that this year is a very special festival for Thailand because it is on the occasion of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday.   

The 11-day event also includes seminars and workshops for filmmakers. The opening night is one of the most important events.      

This is when the head of the whole festival introduces the opening film and welcomes guests from all over the globe.

Children of Glory, a drama directed by Krisztina Goda and produced by Andrew Vajna, was the opening film.     

Krisztina graduated from the National Film and Television School in England and later studied atthe Universtity of California.

She started directing a TV series in Hungary called Cinematrix in 2002, while her first film was Just Sex And Nothing in 2005.

Her next film was Children of Glory, which starred Hungarian actors Kata Dobo, Ivan Fenyo and Sandor Csanyi.

The film is roughly two hours long and is about Hungarians fighting for their freedom from the Soviet Union in the ‘50s.

Water polo was also a big factor behind their victory. The film was not boring, unlike some period films these days.

Each scene was carefully shot and every detail well-thought out. Overall, it was a well-done film.

I am looking forward to sharing with you the rest of the hundred films taking part in the festival, including three entries from the Philippines.

Until then, I’ll get in touch with you through www.forum,julianapalermo.net.

Smile and have a wonderful day!