I almost never suggest a movie to anyone and, having extremely picky taste in films, only see a few a year (always at home). But when a really good music film comes along, I’m on it. Well, a really good music film came along and, yes, it is well worth the late fee I’m going to have to pay Vis-Art for keeping it over the weekend.
So, go rent The Overture. It’s a biopic–sorta. It also has all the great film clichés you’d expect, but done in a modern-Thai-cinema fashion. The official synopsis calls it:
inspired by the life of musician Luang Pradit Phairao, the last great master of the ranard-ek wooden xylophone.
You may know Luang as Sorn Silapabanleng. What a life, real, imagined or a blend. Some scenes of the ranard contests will knock you right over.
Given what is happening in Thailand right now the film’s message about music and cultural freedom really hits home.
Here’s a youtube of Sorn as an aged master
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