Five Star Production
 | |
| Private | |
| Industry | Motion pictures |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Headquarters | Bangkok, Thailand |
Key people |
Charoen Iamphungphorn, president Aphiradee Iamphungphorn Kiatkamon Iamphungphorn Kiattikul Iamphungphorn |
| Website | www.fivestarent.com |
Five Star Production Co. Ltd. (Thai: ไฟว์สตาร์ โปรดักชั่น) is a Thai film production company. It was founded in 1973 by Kiat Iamphungphorn and is today headed by his younger brother, Charoen Iamphungporn, and Kiat's children, Aphiradee and her younger brothers Kiatkamon and Kiattikul. The company's films include the works of Wisit Sasanatieng (Tears of the Black Tiger, Citizen Dog) and Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (Ruang Talok 69, Monrak Transistor, Last Life in the Universe, Invisible Waves). Other directors associated with Five Star include Thanit Jitnukul, Bhandit Rittakol and Poj Arnon.
History
Introduction
Five Star Production has been one of the first Thai film production company to present films in international festivals since 1976 with The War Lord. Tears of the Black Tiger by Wisit Sasanathieng, was the first Thai film to compete at Un Certain Regard at Cannes Film Festival in 2001, followed by Monrak Transistor by Pen-ek Ratanaruang that was selected at Director’s Fortnight of Cannes Film Festival in 2002 and Last Life in the Universe by Pen-ek Ratanaruang, Five Star’s biggest co-production at the time, was rewarded by many awards, including the best leading actor award at Venice Film Festival in 2003.
Production House
The feedback from worldwide audiences did not stop, as constant box office hits are continually released from Five Star Production Company Limited. “Citizen Dog” was well received and honored in 2005 for best visual effects. The film was garnered with international recognition from the 58th Locarno International Film Festival Switzerland, and the Toronto International Film Fest, Dragons and Tigers Series for the Vancouver International Film Festival. Time Magazine even regarded “Citizen Dog” as one of the best top 10 movies of the world for 2005.
An example of collaborating with other international artists is with the 2006 production “Black Night”which combined the direction of three directors from Hong Kong (Patrick Leung’s “Next Door”), Japan (Takahiko Akiyama’s “Dark Hole”) and Thailand (Thanit Jitnukul’s “The Lost Memory”).
With the Quinzaine des Realisateurs (Directors’ Fortnight) Cannes 2007 selection for “Ploy” directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang in a co production with Fortissimo Films. It was the director’s second time chosen for the category at Cannes. Not only at Cannes was the film a success, but also in India for the Fipresci 9th Asian’s Cinefan Fest of Asian and Arab Cinema 2007.
“Muay Thai Chaiya” was released immediately after Ploy and was a film to honor the roots of Thai Martial Arts. Selected as the closing film for The Bangkok International Film Fest 2007, the film continued to Miami and Italy to name a few.
Company Info
Five Star Production Established in 1973, Five Star Production Company Limited is one of Thailand’s most experienced production and distribution houses. Along the years, Five Star Production has developed, founding the first Motion Picture Studio in Thailand in 1979, expanding its activities to TV programs production and producing drama series between 1992 and 1998, even creating a Variety Show aiming at discovering new talents and that has launched the careers of dozen of Thailand’s famous actors and actresses. Five Star has recently created a new division, Stadio, a full-service provider for film marketing already reputed for the quality and qualification of its staff.
Owing to a fast development that leant on the company’s purpose to make quality films for Thai people, Five Star has become one of the leading movie production companies in Thailand and stands now as the Home of Thai Movies. Five Star’s film collection comprises about 250 films, made by the 70 Thai film directors the company has been working with, including many of the most famous ones.
References
- Amnatcharoenrit, Bamrung. May 2, 2005. Lights, Camera, Action, Bangkok Post, Business, Page 3 (retrieved October 5, 2006).