Panna’s last film hits the screen
By Tatat Bunnag
Photographs by Varuth Hirunyatheb
and courtesy of Sahamongkol Film International
Did you know
Panna Rittikrai co-starred with Dan Chupong in the 2006 film Dynamite Warrior.
Local martial arts movie fans will be thrilled to hear that Vengeance of an Assassin is finally hitting cinemas this week. Vengeance of an Assassin is the final effort from well-known director and action choreographer Panna Rittikrai, who recently passed away.
In Vengeance of an Assassin, Panna teamed up once again with his Born to Fight and Dynamite Warrior leading man, Dan Chupong. The film is an action-packed story about a man who leaves his hometown to become a vengeful assassin on a mission to find out the truth about the death of his parents.
The film also stars Nattawut Boonrabsap (Wut), Panna’s last protégé who amazed fans with his performance in the 2009 film, Power Kids.
Student Weekly recently interviewed Dan and Wut about their roles in Vengeance of an Assassin and about their experiences working with their mentor for the last time.
Student Weekly: When did the production of this film start?
Dan: We started talking about ideas for the film around four years ago. We then spent a few years finding locations and rehearsing all the fighting scenes. The filming process actually started earlier last year. Action and martial arts films usually take longer to make than other types of movies.
Student Weekly: Can you guys tell us about your characters in Vengeance of an Assassin?
Dan: My character is Nathee, a young man who witnesses the horrifying murder of his parents. He becomes a dark person obsessed with seeking revenge and finding out the truth about the murderer.
Wut: I play Tarn, Nathee’s younger brother. Tarn was really young when his parents were killed and his brother has kept the horrible secret from him. But when Nathee disappears from the house, Tarn sets out on a mission in search of his brother and he eventually discovers the truth about what happened to their parents.
Student Weekly: Wut, since you’re a new action star, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
Wut: I grew up in a family that is into martial arts. My parents run a boxing gym in Suphan Buri, so I learned how to box when I was a little. I took part in many Thai boxing competitions. Panna’s team discovered me when I won a competition in Ratchaburi few years ago.
Student Weekly: How many locations were used in the film?
Dan: When you see the movie, you’ll probably think that we filmed in some really remote places, but we actually shot most of it in Bangkok. We wanted specific types of backgrounds, so we had to film a lot of it in a film studio.
Wut: We shot some scenes in Nakhon Nayok and Min Buri, including a fight scene on the roof of train.
Student Weekly: What are some of the action highlights in Vengeance of an Assassin?
Dan: The last scene where Nathee attacks his enemy’s safe house. It’s a long take with a lot of cool action, intense gun fights and explosions. We had to rehearse that scene a number of times before filming.
Wut: The fight on the roof of the train is definitely one of the best scenes in the movie.
Student Weekly: What was it like working with Panna Rittikrai on this film?
Dan: We feel so proud and fortunate to have been part of Panna’s team. He was a truly gifted action choreographer of a kind that’s hard to find nowadays. He was our mentor and like a family member for us.
Student Weekly: What makes Vengeance of an Assassin different from other action films?
Dan: This film has all the elements that action fans look for. Most martial arts movies only focus on action, fights and crazy stunts, and they often lack a good story. Vengeance of an Assassin has some great drama and romantic elements, as well as a strong story.
Vocabulary
- pass away (phrasal v): to die
vengeful (adj): showing a desire to punish somebody who has harmed you
protégé (n): a young person who is helped in their career and development by a more experienced person
mentor (n): an experienced person who advises and helps somebody with less experience over a period of time
remote (adj): far away from places where other people live
safe house (n): a house used by people who are hiding, for example criminals hiding from the police or people who are being protected by the police
take (n): a scene or part of a film that is filmed at one time without stopping the camera
fortunate (adj): having or bringing an advantage, an opportunity, a piece of good luck, etc.
gifted (adj): having a lot of natural ability or intelligence
lack (v): to have none or not enough of something
