Girl’s best friend

Gun and Esther hit the big screen

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb
and courtesy of Handmade Distribution

The romantic comedy movie Sing Lek Lek Tee Riak Wa Rak (Crazy Little Thing Called Love), directed by Puttipong Pormsaka Na-Sakonnakorn (Phet), was a surprise blockbuster and award-winner in 2010. Phet is now ready to follow up that big success with his new film Sing Lek Lek Tee Na Rok (App Love), which is due to hit cinemas on December 4.

App Love is about a romantic relationship between a fake ladyboy and his female friend. The film stars captivating actress Esther Supreeleela, 20, who usually plays villains on the small screen. In her first movie, Esther plays a nice girl named Nan. Rising star Natthawat Chainarongsophon (Gun), 17, best known for his part in the remake of the Korean TV drama Autumn in My Heart, plays Tik, a straight guy who convinces his father that he’s a ladyboy in an effort to get out of being sent to the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School. Tik joins a ladyboy group called Angel, but things get complicated when he falls in love with Nan, the sister of a fellow Angel ladyboy.

Student Weekly recently had a chat with Esther and Gun before they joined a press conference for the film at a cinema. The stars told us about their first movie acting experiences and about their characters in App Love.

Student Weekly: When did you decide that you wanted to be professional actors?

Esther: I’ve gone to auditions for commercials since I was very young, but back then I didn’t like acting because I was shy. I felt more confident after working on many ads. After I finished filming my first TV drama, Buang [Trap], I realised that I actually missed acting and wanted to work at it again.

Gun: I started by acting in ads as well. I wasn’t interested in acting at the time but I had to go to auditions because my mom wanted me to. But I soon found that I met lots of nice new people through acting. It also helped me to become more responsible and mature. Now I enjoy it.

Student Weekly: Did you have to adjust yourselves much to play your characters in App Love?

Esther: Not much. Nan and I have similar personalities. I’m straightforward and not too sweet, just like Nan.

Gun: I felt under pressure. There were a lot of times when I was worried that I couldn’t make it to the end. I’m a masculine type of guy and I had to dress up as a ladyboy. I had acting training where I spent time with the actors who played the Angel group. There were lots of ladyboy gestures and movements that I had to learn.

Student Weekly: How did you both feel about working on your first movie?

Esther: I was excited and happy to have this new experience. I was also glad to meet nice actors and a kind director.

Gun: It was a great opportunity, even though I had a hard time playing a ladyboy.

Student Weekly: Gun, how did you feel to be working with a talented actress like Esther?

Gun: I was thrilled. Esther is friendly, so we got to know each other easily. We had fun working together.

Student Weekly: Esther, do you prefer playing nice or bad characters?

Esther: I like them both. They’re both different and challenging. As a bad character, I have to express emotions visibly in a way that people don’t do in real life. In contrast, a good girl in a TV drama has to hide her emotions, even when she’s not satisfied.

Student Weekly: What was it like working with Phet as a director?

Esther: Phet is funny. His serious face made me scared of him at first, but he’s actually very calm and he understands actors well.

Gun: I’m glad that I met him. He’s a warm and kind person. He never yelled at me. When I couldn’t do something, he always talked to me in a nice and reasonable way.

Student Weekly: Do you have any favourite scenes in the film?

Esther: I like the scene where there’s a musical performance and the whole cast is together. It’s a happy scene.

Gun: There’s a scene where I practise being a cheerleader. I had to wear high heels and climb on top of the other actors, and I kept falling down! I also like my cute kissing scene with Esther.

Student Weekly: What kind of acting role would you like to try in the future?

Esther: I’d like to try an action scene, especially a car racing scene. I’ve always wanted to learn how to drive a racing car. It’s an exciting sport, but I haven’t had a chance to try it yet.

Gun: Since I’m a macho guy, I’d like to play a bold and aggressive character. I think that kind of character would be easy play.

Student Weekly: What are your hopes for App Love?

Gun: I did my best in the movie, so I hope it’s successful. After seeing this film, I hope people will be more open-minded in their thinking about ladyboys.

comments powered by Disqus