The plotline of the hot new movie opening in Bangkok this week seems simple enough: a heartthrob Thai photographer falls in love with his beautiful Laotian tour guide.
What’s remarkable is that the movie is set in communist Laos, a nation that has only two movie theaters, both in the capital Vientiane, and no production companies.
And where the communist government had never before allowed private firms to shoot a film.
Entitled Sabaidee Luang Prabang, or “Good Morning, Luang Prabang,” it’s the first commercial movie shot here since Laos adopted communism in 1975.
The stars are Ananda Everingham, a Laotian-Australian actor who is a major star in Thai movies, and Khamly Philavong, a fresh face from Vientiane.
The 90-minute film was released in Thailand on Thursday, after premiering, dubbed into Lao, on May 24 at the national cultural center in Vientiane. It is not clear when, or if, further screenings in Laos are planned.
Its makers hope to open a window onto Laos, beginning with the Pak Se delta, then zooming to the capital Vientiane and ending in the World Heritage-listed town of Luang Prabang.
Thai filmmaker Sakchai Deenan directed the movie in collaboration with Anousone Sirisackda, whose previous experience had been producing local music videos and public service announcements through his Lao Art Media company.
“We aim at presenting Laotian culture, our beautiful scenery and cities,” Anousone said. “Although Thailand and Laos have similar cultures, their differences are the charms that would draw people to see this movie.”
Sakchai said the story was inspired by his experiences when he first visited Laos and fell instantly in love with a Laotian woman. He says the story is based on his imaginings of having her as his tour guide.
“We wanted a soft storyline so it would not be too hard to get approval from the Lao government,” he said.
Lao authorities needed some convincing to grant permission for the film.
Although Thailand and Laos share a similar language and culture, they have had difficult relations since the communist rise to power here.
Thailand was a US rear base during the Vietnam War, and Bangkok feared that communist insurgents would try to enter the kingdom through Laos.
Laos made similar accusations against Thailand, that anti-communist insurgents were staging attacks from Thai soil.
The neighbours fought bloody border skirmishes in 1987 and 1988, but began mending relations after the fall of the Soviet Union.
Now the two are slowly growing closer, as Laos tries to integrate itself into the region and tap into the power of Southeast Asia’s growing economies.
“This marks the start of a new era of cooperation between Thailand and Laos,” Thai Ambassador to Laos Wiboon Khusakul said.
Laos remains sensitive about comparison to its larger and much wealthier neighbor, and Thai films seen as mocking the country have sparked diplomatic incidents.
Two years ago, the Lao national football team were ridiculed in the Thai comedy Mak Teh (Lucky Losers). The film’s release was canceled after Lao diplomats complained that the movie belittled Laotians.
Last year the Thai soap opera Mekong Love Song was yanked over complaints by Lao authorities. The offending scenes included a shot of a Thai actor dropping Laos’ national flower, the frangipani, in the river as he despaired over uniting with his love.
Hoping to avoid such controversies, Anousone edited the Thai script himself before submitting it to the Lao Ministry of Information and Culture.
At least one ministry official was present on set every day of shooting, to make sure that Laos culture was depicted accurately, Sakchai said.
Despite their efforts, the filmmakers cut some scenes — including references to communism — from the version dubbed into Lao.
Even though Laos has no theaters outside the capital, Sakchai said he hopes more Laotians will get to see the movie.
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