Source and Inspiration

"Long before I had the idea for the film The Overture, I happened to read a biography of Luang Pradit Phairao -- a great master of Thai musical instruments, and a much-respected music teacher during the reign of King Rama the 8th -- and found it fascinating. I was intrigued that Thai cinema has never had a film about Thai musicians and musical instruments before. So I began research into biographies of other Thai musical teachers to supplement the material, and the more I read, the more I became interested in Thai musical arts and traditions. I began talking with Thai musical teachers at the 'Luang Pradit Phairao Foundation', and with other elder Thai musical teachers, and had a chance to see the Bangkok Symphony Concerto's concert, featuring solos on the "Ranad-Ek" (Lead Xylophone), on the occasion of paying honour to King Bhumibol Adulyadej. I was amazed by this musical instrument, and began talking with many composers, and players of the lead xylophone, seriously searching for as much information about the music as possible before I began the film."

Actors and Thai Musical Instruments

"It took quite a long time to cast the actors for The Overture, mainly because the actor who would play Sorn, the main character of the film, had to be able to play lead xylophone, and other kinds of Thai musical instruments as well. Initially, we looked at actors who could really play Thai musical instruments, but we couldn't find anyone appropriate for the role. Then we began to look at actors who had enough time to devote themselves to learning and practicing these musical instruments. The role finally fell to Anuchit Saphanphong, who, although he had never played Thai musical instruments before, had enough skill to get a feel for the music's rhythms. Maybe it was his background as a dancer that gave him an advantage in moving into this other field of the arts, and the ability to improve in it very rapidly. I'm really satisfied that I decided to choose him. He has talent for music, and really devoted himself to practice."

ABOUT ITTHISOONTORN VICHAILAK

Multi-talented writer/director Itthisoontorn Vichailak began as an architecture student before changing paths and entering the world of motion pictures and television. He started off as a scriptwriter and comedian with the Zumo Sam-arng Group, which was composed of fellow students from the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University; the group became well known for its comedy-variety program, "Petchakard Kwam Kriad". Itthisoontorn subsequently worked as director, producer, and a scriptwriter for many successful TV programs and game shows, including "Plik Lock", "Kor Lukkaew Pen Pra-Ek", and "Vic 07".

He has also composed music for many Thai singers and groups, including Rawiwan Jinda, Anna Rojrungrueng, Angsana Changsawate, Cocojazz, and rock bands Kaleidoscope and Hi-Rock. He also produces music for many commercial films and TV shows. Itthisoontorn has also published a collection of his own short stories, "Pieng Khwam Song Cham Aow Wai Loey". He also produces commercials for Gimmick Direction Company.

In motion pictures, Itthisoontorn first appeared as an actor, in 1989's The Elephant Keeper, directed by Prince Chatri Chalerm Yukol. His first film as a director, 1983's Look Ba Tiow La-sut, won many awards from the Thai Critics Association, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Editing. His TV series have also won many awards, including the 1989 Mekhala Television Award for Best Morally-Uplifting TV Series, for his "Phra Jan Lai Kra Tai".

After a ten-year absence from motion picture directing, Itthisoontorn's second film, The Overture -- which premiered at the 2004 Bangkok International Film Festival and enjoyed a long and successful theatrical run throughout Thailand -- marks his return to the big screen.