One audience burst into applause when the film ended. Another laughed throughout - and the girls screamed with delight when the male leads kissed. Young men and women leave the cinema with tears streaming down their faces.
That's a sample of popular reaction to the Thai coming-of-age drama, Love of Siam, which is the talk of the town.
In an early review, the Manager newspaper declared that Love of Siam, which opened yesterday, was a film in which all Thais could be proud. Judging by reaction on Thai webboards, this film does not divide audiences, but unites them.
Director 'Ma-Deaw' Chukiat Sakweerakul hopes the film can make B50m to B100m. He says some audiences might find Love of Siam hard to take - though if just one person out there takes it into his heart, he will be happy.
Ma-Deaw is too modest. Most reaction at the Pantip webboard is positive, with many young posters declaring it is the best Thai film they have seen. That's despite the gay content, and the misleading advertising, which led many audiences to expect a story of conventional love between teen boys and girls.
Childhood friends Tong (played by Mario Maurer, pictured) and Music, happen to meet in Siam Square one day after five years apart. The story of their unfolding relationship is probably the most important one in the movie - but it is not just about them. It is also a story about friends and families - in particular, how Tong's family copes with the loss of a loved one.
Tong's mother, Sinjai Plengpanich, spends most of her energy looking after her husband, who turned to alcohol for relief after their daughter - Tong's sister - disappeared. Towards her son, she is over-protective.
She happens to see Tong and Music kissing at a family party. Determined she will not let her son stray from the path she has laid out for him - nor let her family break apart any further - she forbids Music from seeing him again. She depicts a typical mother's struggle as she tries to prevent her son, at a turning point in his young life, from turning gay.
Love of Siam is aimed at mainstream audiences, but is not a conventional box office film. Thais are used to seeing kathoey (ladyboy) comedies, teen romances, boxing flicks, and horrors.
They are not used to a film which combines, as this one does, the themes of fragile teen love, comedy, and family drama. Love of Siam challenges the public's idea of what makes a good film, which could influence the direction of films which follow it.
Even better, perhaps, is that it places gay love in a social context. Ultimately, Tong must choose between his love for Music, and his desire to keep his family happy. He tells him while he cannot be his boyfriend, he can still love him and be his friend. The boys grow, and learn from their experience, as they pass through this phase in their lives.
Their families do, too: where once Tong's parents were willing to believe that missing daughter Taeng had left them, by the end of the film they have realised that in spirit she has not deserted them at all.
It is heart-breaking stuff, but also uplifting. Audiences want to know what happens to the boys and their families. Some fans are already calling for a sequel.
So what of the gay theme? I have seen little anti-gay comment on boards, which is a relief. Most criticism concerns the film's misleading advertising - the trailer alludes neither to the gay love theme, nor the family drama which also lies at the heart of the film.
Some anti-gay feeling may be lurking in the negative reaction to the advertising, but that may die down over time. Most audiences, once they have seen it, are prepared to overlook the misleading advertising, and seem willing to view the gay relationship in the context of a film which is overwhelmingly about love.
Mat-deaw says the film sends the message that we are never alone, no matter what we may be in this life - that there's always someone there for us, regardless of what choices we elect.
He says the trailer took a long time to make, as deciding what to include and what to leave out was tricky. The film-makers worried that if the trailer alluded to the gay theme, many audiences would have stayed away.
He denies the trailer set out to deceive, though acknowledges it was not as frank as it could have been (a little 'bent'). He is not worried about the potential reaction to the advertising, as he thinks the film is strong enough to withstand it.
By setting gay love firmly in a family context, this film could help make gay content in mainstream Thai movies less threatening. Too many people seem to think that gays don't have families, friends or people who worry about them, and that they aren't pulled in different directions like everyone else.
Mat-deaw says the trailer makes the film look like a straight teen romance because he knew it would sell better that way. He had to pass through many obstacles to make the film, so did not want the trailer to put people off.
Conversely, he put gay love in the movie itself (if not the trailer), to emphasise the point that in this world, there are many different kinds of love - and because the audience reaction would be stronger than if he was to portray yet another conventional teen boy-girl romance.
now, see part 2
I just saw the film and thought it was great.
ReplyDeleteOne minor correction, the boys have been apart for 5 years, not 15.
I think it is a tad too long and the family story especially could have been slimmed down quite a bit. And while I loved the prologue that sets up the backstory I wonder if that could also have been pared down somewhat.
However, having said that it is clear the the gay love story is the center of the film. The relationship between the boys is what drives the story from the beginning. I think between the misleading marketing and the filmmaker's comments about it not really being a gay film, that he may need to watch his own film again.
The leads are both too cute. I think the kid who plays Mew is actually better looking than Mario.
I really liked the device of the little toy head missing a piece.
I will basically cry at the drop of a hat, but I was very moved and had a tear in my eye for most of the film.
I wonder a bit about how Mew was able to live there in that big house by himself for years? And it wasn't entirely clear to me why it was that Tong didn't think they could be boyfriends when they were so clearly totally in love with each other.
I saw the early afternoon showing here in Pattaya with about 10 people. I thought I was going to have my own private screening for a while.
But I think it is a great film. It could do well on the international gay film fest circuit, but I think the 160 minute runtime will scare a lot of them away. And if they filmmaker is afraid of the film being pegged as a gay film he may not want it playing that way.
Glenn: Thank for your comments, and the minor correction (fixed, now).
ReplyDeleteThe symbolism involving the toy does sound clever...it helps make the ending more convincing, where otherwise it would consist merely of dialogue. 'I can't love you any more' - cut!
Kids, if left to their own devices, would be forced to look outside home for friends. The film sounds too gloomy here, as if it is striving for viewer sympathy. Who cooks his meals, and buys all those fancy clothes?
Many kids in Mew's position would become wild motorcycle racers or somesuch, not quiet types who find solace in music. Being left alone as a child, does not in itself a gay boy make.
Tong called it quits because he cared more about his family, which might seem touching, but to some viewers shows he was too willing to cave in to parental pressure, and did not find himself at all. Ultimately, the boy let Mew down.
In the plot, decisions in the present have sad repercussions for the future, and are driven by equally tragic events in the past. It is so tightly interwoven that it becomes hard to look at scenes or characters in isolation. Real life is nowhere near as tidy - but then commercial films need to keep the story simple, so audiences can relate.
If Tong revisits Music's bedroom after many years of not seeing the place, then of course he will find signs of himself there - little things from their shared childhood together which Mew has kept undisturbed all this time, to preserve Tong's memory, or in the hope that his close friend would come back. It's poignant, but at the same time it is just too much.
How many people would like to walk back into the past, preserved as if in a vacuum? Everyone, at least in their teenage dreams. How likely is it to happen? Not at all, which explains the appeal, at least to young audiences with active imaginations.
Regardless of how Love of Siam might like to potray them, I prefer to see young people being what they are - tough, resourceful, and resilient, not emotionally needy and dependent. In their teens, boys are still exploring, and can bounce back from life's knocks, which is the beauty of being young.
Some of the director's remarks sound cynical to me. He says he put in only so much gay content as was necessary to make an impact on audiences, as if it there just to sell the story.
Most of the film, in fact, appears designed to get audiences to 'feel'. I would like to know how much the director put in because he really wanted to say it, and how much is there to make audiences bond with the film.
To some viewers, the gay kissing scene is too strong. They agree the scene is essential, as it shows that the boys really do love each other - though they say exploratory, hesitant kissing might have been more realistic, and palatable to the mainstream audiences which the film courts.
Love of Siam's saving grace might be that it is also funny - and that Thais are not inclined to get worked up over heavy emotional dramas anyway.
I agree that the film seemed calculated to make the audience "feel" and I don't think that is a bad thing. Some of my favorite movies do that. I don't expect realism, but there is quite a bit of willing suspension of disbelief required here.
ReplyDeleteI'm also not exactly convinced that Tong was choosing his family over the boy he loves. The scene at the Christmas tree where his mother sets him free to do what he thinks his best felt like a release to me from her strict attempt to keep him in check. He dumps the girl to go see Mew sing his love song to him. Then, wham, he tells him "I can't be your boyfriend but I still love you." Maybe he's saying "I can't be your boyfriend right now."
For me, the acting between the two leads was very strong. They were good at the "longing" looks at each other and saying things with their eyes or shy smiles. I found that part quite touching. I also liked the reactions of the bandmates who clearly knew what was going on between Mew and Tong but no one said a word. Maybe they knew that's where the beautiful love songs were coming from so they didn't want to wreck their own success?
I think there were a lot of little details like that going on in the film that I really appreciated.
With regard to the photos in Mew's bedroom, I didn't find that unrealistic. He's basically alone and wants to hold on to the happy times of his childhood. So he keeps the photos of himself and his best friend who was snatched from him without any sort of "closure". And of course he kept the little toy that was such a precious gift from his friend. And of course Tong is delighted to find those things when he visits because it means they mean as much to Mew as they do to him. Maybe I am just a teenage girl at heart. :-)
The more I think about the film, the more I find things to like about it. No movie is perfect of course but I can think of worse ways to spend 3 hours.
Thank you once again for your generous responses.
ReplyDeleteGlenn: Then, wham, he tells him "I can't be your boyfriend but I still
love you." Maybe he's saying "I can't be your boyfriend right now
Many Thai viewers have commented in a similar vein. They say the boys can always rekindle their relationship once Tong puts some distance between himself and his family. University is a good place to do that.
I hope the director was not saying that Tong opted for straight love because he decided gay love was not right - especially if, in his heart, he still felt as if Mew was the boy for him. Not right in what way?
In most comment I have read, viewers reckon Tong is choosing his family over Mew - opting for one kind of love over another. In January, I found a pre-release blurb which said the following:
'The boys must find an answer to the question of what kind of love is correct, and what kind of love they want. Is that kind of love real and beautiful, or the result of bitterness? And can they live without it?'
I think that means, correct for them, rather than correct in the eyes of anyone else...or at least I hope it does.
Glenn: They were good at the "longing" looks at each other and saying things with their eyes or shy smiles.
One reason director Mat-Deaw says he chose Mario to act the part was that he could communicate feelings well with his eyes.
Glenn: I also liked the reactions of the bandmates who clearly knew what was going on between Mew and Tong but no one said a word. Maybe they knew that's where the beautiful love songs were
coming from
This part sounds lovely. Thais are a tolerant bunch, especially with people they know. In a large group of friends, one boy may be gay - but they just let him get on with it, rather than teasing him or applying pressure.
Glenn: I think there were a lot of little details like that going on in the film that I really appreciated.
Another feature which viewers like is the use of song...Mew singing to Tong to communicate his feelings.
Imagine two boys together, where one loves music, and has a good voice. Sitting in a park, or even in a busy street, he sings a love song to the boy in his heart. It could just be a simple song, but isn't. Both knows what the other feels, but won't say a word.
Glenn: He's basically alone and wants to hold on to the happy times of his childhood.
I thought about my comments again last night and decided that perhaps I was too harsh. Only five years had passed, after all. I thought also of a neighbourhood of mine when I was growing up.
The last time I visited his home, to see his mother, she showed me something she had found in a vacant strip of land where the two of us used to play as boys. It had survived all this time...more than 20 years.
Glenn: The more I think about the film, the more I find things to like about it. No movie is perfect of course but I can think of worse ways to spend 3 hours.
It has many touches which to me sound sensitive and clever. The scene where the mother returns home every day with hot food for her alcoholic husband - only to turn around and eat the cold food he has rejected from the meal before.
Many Thais have commented on that one, too, saying it shows the extent of her love for her husband which she may not utter in so many words, but which is there nonetheless.
It made me think of the many sacrifices which my family (and here in Thailand, my boyfriend) must have made for me over the years but which I did not notice at the time.
One other question that occurred to me that you may have come across an answer to is, why did they choose to make the family (families?) Catholic? That seemed a bit odd to me. Is the filmmaker trying to place the characters outside of the experience of the average Thai in that way? I can't imagine that there are very many Catholics in Thailand and it seemed like an odd choice to me.
ReplyDeleteAnd I seem to remember now that I think about it that both boys are confronted by their friends at different points in the film with respect to their relationship. Tong gets rather defensive about it when he is asked directly if he is gay and seems to have a difficult time. When the band asks Mew the same question he issues a sort of non-denial denial. Even when Tong's mother asks Mew what is going on between them and tells him not to see her son anymore he just says they are friends. I think those reactions of the boys felt quite believable.
Glenn: One other question that occurred to me that you may have come across an answer to is, why did they choose to make the family (families?) Catholic?
ReplyDeleteI have seen few mentions of it on Thai webboards, and would like to know the answer myself.
I assume it is because they want to sell the film overseas, and want to put something in there which foreigners can understand.
Another reason is that I suspect someone has told them that Catholics might put up especially strong resistance to their children turning out gay.
Some Thai families do not: they are prepared to let their kids experiment, even turn gay, as long as they cause trouble to noone else, and stay away from drugs.
I know one Thai Catholic. A few years ago a trend caught on among foreign-educated Thais in the entertainment industry to turn Christian. Maybe this director was part of it.
Glenn: I think those reactions
of the boys felt quite believable.
Yes...but I think we would both like to know why Tong called it off. 'I can't be your boyfriend but that doesn't mean I don't love you.' At that age, boys are allowed to explore, even fall in love. But to make a leap from there into boyfriend status? These days, young ones think too much.
What do you think about the idea that Love of Siam resembles a western coming-of-age film with a gay theme - only one made in Thailand?
ReplyDeleteAlso, what are your favourite scenes? Thais who have seen it have left several busy posts at webboards listing their favourites. They might be the same ones as you like.
actually the film does remind me a lot of Western gay coming of age films. It has a lot in common with Beautiful Thing which is a British film that was released about 10 years ago. Two boys who are neighbors fall in love. One with a strict macho father and brother who don't like the idea that their kid is gay and the other with a single mother. Lots of drama there, but it ultimately has a very happy ending.
ReplyDeleteI am sure it is like numerous other such films as well.
As for favorite scenes...that is tough as there are so many. I like the one at the beginning where Tong sets up the treasure hunt for Mew to find the part of the head and then the last part gets lost to the tree trimmers. I like all of the scenes where Mew is singing love songs directly to Tong. They look at each other the whole time seemingly oblivious to everyone else around them. Like the scene at the party for "Tang" where she is standing next to Tong and keeps looking at him and then at Mew sort of confused. I liked the scene where they are laying in bed together and Mew talks about how lonely he has been and Tong puts his arms around him to hold him. And then when Tong is gone in the morning Mew hugs his pillow to him. And both of the scenes where he wants to buy the nose of the head so he can give it to Mew. Basically I guess I liked all of the "gay" scenes. :-) I liked kissing scene too of course. It was good that they finally gave in to their passion.
It sounds heatbreakingly sad (if not terribly Thai)....the comfort hugs, the pillow, singing to each other, the scenes from their past as children, which come to have renewed significance in the symbol of the toy.
ReplyDeleteSome Thai viewers who have seen the film leave the cinema feeling dreadful (mainly, they feel sorry for Mew), while others have a wonderful time, as it contains plenty of humourous moments as well.
Many say they have never been in a cinema audience before where viewers take such an active part in rooting for various characters...calling out words of encouragement, cheering, laughing.
I have been to the movie in the US, where the audience involved itself in the story in the same way, but never have I seen it happen here. The reaction has even prompted several webboard posts from youngsters asking whether audiences have the right to make so much noise.
The boyfriend and I have agreed to watch it together today. My BF lost his parents when he was young, so might have empathy for the story than he realises. I might have to warn him before we go - and make sure we take a large supply of snacks, drinking water, and tissues for the three-hour adventure ahead!
I saw it in at a time of day with very few viewers, but there was active audience reaction, especially to the kiss.
ReplyDeleteI wondered about the ending, too. I think Tong not only let Mew down but also himself- the logical end to his lament that "I let others down because I don't know what I am." Ultimately it's a story of lost opportunities of many kinds, but also with a theme of multiple chances offered- the chance for the boys to meet again after separation, the chance for Mew to rebuild his musical career, the chance for Mew's girl neighbor to renegotiate her relationships with both of the boys, the chance for Tong's father to rehabilitate himself, the chance for the mother to bring the family back together... and though most of these storylines are not solved neatly by the end of the film, and there have still been bad decisions made by many of the characters, there is still the sense that hope exists in each of the situations, including that between the two boys. Thought provoking and emotionally stirring, indeed.
Honestly speaking, I'm still obsessed with the film, hard to say but still I cant move on after watching the film. I'm such tearjerker, I can easily relate with MEW not only because I'm a bisexual/gay like him but because we have the same sentiments regarding LOVE. I'm also experiencing 5 years of loneliness, after a traumatic relationship 5 years ago, i thought that im in dire need of a therapy to learn to love again. I never thought that this film will move and help me recover. I'm just sad with the last part, when Mew tried to be stronger while Tong talks to him about him who cant be his boyfriend and went home to cry it all.. what a sad scene.. im now starting toa sk, what if MEW decided to meet with tong when tong went to him one night, or tried answering his calls and messages could have been better..but then i learned about the sad things of being a gay, even if you win a man's heart over a girl still you loose when he choose his family.. i hope there would be a part 2.. i love the film so much please publish my post
ReplyDeleteI have heard a lot of great things about this movie on the internet for quite some time but nothing could have really prepared me for it. I made the mistake of watching this movie alone in my room and found myself unable to recover or move on. Just listening to the songs make me feel all the emotion i felt during the scenes that they were played. Maybe part of the blame goes to the fact that its a 3 hour movie that one really cant help but get emotionally attached to the characters. Then again, i dont think the character development would have been as effective had they cut the movie length down some more. Its a shame that this was never shown in Philippine cinemas as Phil Film Makers could learn A LOT from this movie. How it treated teen sexuality in a frank manner without being disrespectful. In this country where gay themed films are commonly about sex, slapstick or both, I find Love of Siam very refreshing. It also made me fall in love with the soundtrack. I wish I could pronounce the lyrics correctly.. =P
ReplyDeleteI watched the movie 2 days ago, and until today, I havent found complete recovery, or how to find it, how to divert my attention to other things. I dunno. I sleep at night, I wake up, and my first and last thoughts are always about:
ReplyDelete1. What if Mew and Tong had the chance to be together?
2. What if Tong said "I can be with you to be your boyfriend, insted of "I cannot"?
3. What if Tong's (Sunee) mom was a PFLAG mom, and did not mind her son to be with Mew? After all, they were really good friends since they were little.
4. Or What if Sunee and Mew didn't have that talk? And Mew was able to meet Tong in the Siam Square. What would have they done next?
5. And how good of a kisser was Tong? LOL (Okay, you can scratch this one)
Oh, my gulay.
These are just some of the many questions running on my mind. And I hope someone has got answers for them.
To Tong and Mew, and to all the other characters who were in the movie, you guys did a great job. You all played a great part in making the movie develop into the story that will forever be stored in the memory and hearts of many. I also thank the director (close kami, eh) for making a superb movie. Finaly, I cant write something on the "Favorite Movie(s) part of most sites. Lol.
I hope there'd be a sequel. If not, Mhmmm. If not? Then I guess I would be responsible to do a remake of this, soon after I graduate.
Why not? :D
This movie has got me. Like a disease. Like a bulutong. Yes, a bulutong. Which'd probably take me a week or two to finally recover from. A week or two, but the scars. The scars will forever be with me :) Aww. Duh-ramma. But it will, it will.
I too watched this film all alone in the dark, and my mindbodysoul could avoid none of its impact, to my bittersweet acceptance.
ReplyDeleteWhat I am left thinking about the most, is, even though Tong received a blessing-of-sorts from Sunee, he wasn't there for the parent's revelatory reconciliation. Would he have made a different choice in what he decided to say to Mew if he had been there for that? The parents came to terms about the love they still have for each other, and the father reveals he knew that his wife didn't hate him, and June was never Tang- that Tang no longer exists in any sense. Even if she had survived being lost, and even if June was in fact their daughter, she has in ways redefined herself, and isn't done. None of them are.
I too long to novel and screen-write, and I would love the satisfaction of being able to affect its direction. Where I am going with this is it takes so much consideration, and perhaps unwitting coincidence on the creators' part in writing/film-making, because the level of symbolism and ambiguity in its symbolism seems to be infinite, from the number of sound opinions I've come across in reviews of TLOS.
What I personally think about is what it means when Tong gives Mew his "Christmas present," the last piece of a childhood gift. Mew is not Christian, and Christianity doesn't condone homosexuality. So then what does it mean, Tong calling the gift that?
Maybe that Tong's interpretation of his own faith is admitting of this love, and that that isn't what is holding him back. His mother seems to be the highest authority in his life; but she is OKAY now; not great, but past enough to be able to endure more- her hope has been restored.
I cried with Mew at the end, as he let out his disappointment, but also his hope, and appreciation of the "gift." He knows he isn't alone; Tong would never leave him, because he knows how lonely Mew is, and couldn't do that. They are truly in love.
As much as I would love a sequel to give my heart releasing closure, I can't help but think it would take away from the message and emotion of the current stand-alone. It would have a continuation of these lives and perhaps answer TOO many of the questions left.
"I can't be with you AS your boyfriend...
ReplyDeleteBut that doesn't mean I don't love you..."
Context and analysis of this statement leads to the conclusion that Tong without a doubt loves and wants Mew; but can't officialize that. He wants to be his boyfriend, but can only be with him in some other capacity. THEY WILL BE FRIENDS, and the intimacy and kismet they share will undoubtedly continue to blossom and be romance, sooner or later; and perhaps visible to whatever extent, to surrounding eyes...
(I'm the same anonymous as the post immediately above)