Showing 1 - 6 of 6
Rhythms of Isan
Life, Yvonne Bohwongprasert, Published on 06/10/2015
» Thailand's northeastern musical instruments create a chorus of foot-stomping sounds that showcase the crux of the region's rich cultural and historical heritage. Isan music and its rapid-fire rhythmic vocals and funk-like beats have steadily gained the attention of Western producers, one of whom is British lyricist and executive producer, William Robinson.
Northern lights
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 23/09/2016
» With over 400 movies on the slot, the Toronto International Film Festival was a feast and a maze. The latest edition of this North American showcase concluded last Sunday, with Damein Chazelle's La La Land winning the People's Choice Award, a bellwether for the bright Oscar season (Toronto, unlike other major festivals, has no prominent juried competition, instead letting the audiences decide the big winner). The festival is known as a launch pad for Oscar hopefuls as well as independent titles looking for distribution. It also features a strong experimental section that casts its radical net far and wide.
When monsters attack
Life, Kanin Srimaneekulroj, Published on 10/03/2017
» Kong: Skull Island seems like it tries -- and largely fails -- to present a serious, deep message, even though it often veers into the campy territory so many monster films seem to occupy. Most of the characters -- of which there are unnecessarily many -- are completely devoid of personality or even purpose, getting introduced only to eventually become monster-snacks, offering absolutely nothing to the plot beyond creating a false sense of mortality for the obvious band of destined survivors. The plot, as anyone familiar with King Kong's lore can surmise, is also nothing new, and is actually quite similar to the Peter Jackson-directed King Kong's (2005) plot of a group of outsiders surviving on a hostile island dominated by the giant ape.
An Anglo-Isan mash-up
Life, Apipar Norapoompipat, Published on 29/06/2017
» There's always something enticing about traditional beats. It's something different from all the music played on the radio -- something authentic compared to all the boring, gentrified sounds. And that's what Will Robinson felt when he first heard the sound of a phin guitar many years ago on the streets of Sukhumvit.
Mastering the message
Asia focus, Tanyatorn Tongwaranan, Published on 18/03/2019
» Life rarely progresses the way we intended. Sometimes, we need to adjust to unexpected circumstances and always be ready for change. Once we master the ability to adapt to unforeseen events and to constantly absorb new knowledge, it usually allows our lives to blossom in beautiful ways.
Everything old is new again
Guru, Kankanok Wichiantanon, Published on 11/10/2019
» Bangkok is a city that constantly sees new constructions reaching up to the sky. But if you look close enough, a great number of ancient homes are being brought back to life, reborn with renewed purpose. They demonstrate that embracing historical beauty along with modern innovation produces fascinating and profitable results, with the reassurance that architecturally significant homes are being kept alive. Over the recent years, such places have been popping up more and we hope they continue to. Guru has scoped out some of Bangkok's most admirable, century-old homes to discover the stories behind them.