Pictures and interview by Viola Manuela Ceccarini
This year I had the pleasure to cover one of the most prestigious event here in New York, I am talking about the 16th New York Asian Film Festival (June 30 to July 13), co-presented by Film Society of Lincoln Centre.
TRAILER UFFICIALE del film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLdhN4oMxCQ
Thai thriller BAD GENIUS opened the festival so I set down with actress Chuengcharoensukying, actor Chanon Santinatornkul and Director Nattawut Poornpiriya, for an exclusive interview that you can listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGjWPmlNdxE&;t=8s
The Fesitval has selected 21 years old actress and fashion model Chutimon “Aokbab” Chuengcharoensukying as the recipient of the Screen International Rising Star Asia award. She has won the accolade for her remarkable portrayal of a brilliant high-school student (Lynn) who benefits from her cheating skills.
It’s the first time the award, in its fourth year, has gone to a Thai actor, leaving everyone speechless, considering that Bad Genius is also Chuengcharoensukying’s first film.
“She was born to be a star” the festival’s executive director Samuel Jamier praised her performance in a “demanding role”.
Directed by Nattawut Poonpiriya; the movie has been the top Thai box-office performer since it was released in the first week of May.
Nattawut Poonpiriya, director of Bad Genius, added: “For solving the great demands of portraying Lynn’s character, Aokbab proved herself the correct answer for this film. Her great skill as an actress is to show that ‘less is more’: how she expressed her character’s choices through her eyes, her gestures and her movements made me a believer that this girl has the brains, the guts, and the ability to control and handle every step of the game without having to rely on anybody else.”
“Bank” is the name of the character played by the young & talented actor Chanon Santinatornkul, an equally mysterious and controversial role… another straight-A student who not only steals Lynn(Aokbab) thunder at a national quiz, but also competes with her for a coveted college scholarship in Singapore.
Chan told us how he started his acting career and how he got discovered.
BAD GENIUS INTERNATIONAL OFFICIAL TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLdhN4oMxCQ
