Page 69 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL6

The movie focuses on his humanism, love of Thai, determination and, above all, the love of god and compassion that underlined his approach to education“We tried not to just make a biography about the past,” she said. “We are making a film for modern audiences.”The film-makers decided to create a fictitious character to add a modern-day element to the film. That character is Pongsatorn, a cocky, lazy graduate student and Thai language teacher doing a master’s thesis on the life of the French priest. Acted by Pharanyu Rojanawuthitham, the character reflects a common stereotype of Thais towards foreigners. For him, Brother Hilaire is just “another farang” who did something “cool” by writing Daroon Suksa.The movie moves between charac- ters living in two different times. The past depicts the life of the French priest Francois Touvenet Hilaire, who left France for Siam in 1901. The movie focuses on his humanism, love of Thai, determination and, above all, the love of god and compassion that underlined his approach to education.The film gets a modern touch with scenes of Pongsatorn and his thesis adviser, superbly played by amateur actor Chartchai Norasethaporn, an alumnus of Assumption College.“Your view of Brother Hilaire is only skin-deep,” says the adviser. “If you can’t be more analytical and present the life of Brother Hilaire with his deep influence on the education system and his role in society, then you should abandon this thesis.”Like many of the confident, self-absorbed young generation, Pongsatorn reacts by feeling shattered and getting drunk, locking himself in his room and having hallucinations of the late priest in an alcohol-driven quasi-dream.It is impossible for a film-maker to win over everyone, however. Those familiar with Brother Hilaire may feel that pieces are missing. Sulak Sivaraksa, a Thai social critic and a biographer of Brother Hilaire, said the movie will appeal to the young generation.Elite+ 67