Metamorphosis Go Writing: 5 Phrang @ 5 Crossroads

31 August 2009

Two Times Of Phobia Bring An Addiction To Fear

Being clearly one of the better received films at Toronto After Dark Film Festival and also one of the biggest blockbusters in Asia last year, it’s no wonder if the produces of horror anthology “Phobia” (4bia) are eager to continuing the success with the next omnibus. As another effort from Thailand movie industry to flourish the horror anthologies in Asia, “4bia” had proven itself a consistently entertaining film with sufficiently original short shockers. In its favor, the film also does showcase the talents of four of the country’s most promising new helmers, most prominently Banjong Pisanthanakun and Pakpoom Wongpoom, whose “Shutter” and “Alone” have ranked among the very best Asian horror films from any country of the last few years. Combined a four-course meal of fear that offers more distinctive flavors than many films of this type, the film had left many horror fans hungry for more like it from the Thai horror industry. So, here it comes, the sequel which entitled “Phobia 2” aka “5 Phrang” (Five Crossroads) that will extend the four shorts in its prequel with five fresh phobic ideas. Good news for the sequel is both Wongpoom and Pisanthanakun are return as does “Body #19” helmer Paween Purikijpanya. Meanwhile, Yongyoot Thongkongtoon who directed the popular “Iron Ladies” and “4bia” interesting first segment “Happiness” didn’t return for this one, but his place is taken by another credible filmmaker, Songyos Sugmakanan, whose previous work, “Dorm”, has been very popular in International film festivals. Last but not least is the "surprise" fifth director who is also an unexpected choice indeed -- it's none other than Visute Poolvoralaks, the head honcho of GTH company and the veteran producer behind such GTH hits as “Shutter”, “Alone” and of course “4bia”. All of them will once again delivering a series of fast paced shocks with their own unique style, and don’t be surprised if you’re addicted to fear!

Below are the details for each segment in “Phobia 2”:

Novice – For fourteen year old Pey, the idea of ‘karma’ is completely irrelevant. Pey has committed a crime so his mom decides that he must get ordained to become a Buddhist novice to escape. Under the guise of a monk, Pey remains unnoticed as a criminal. However, something deep down inside is bothering him. Will Pey’s Karma catch up with him? As he searches for the answer, the grip of fear tightens as he realizes that ‘Karma’ has no friend or foe when deciding a man’s fate or fortune.
This is the segment by “Body #19” director Paween Purikijpanya and it stars young “Gao” Jirayu Laoonmanee as a novice monk who's on a scary solo pilgrimage. Let’s see how Paween's comic-book style will work with this story.

Backpackers – Upon graduation, a young Japanese couple decides to travel around Thailand by backpacking. After failed attempts to hitchhike from Samui Island to Bangkok, the boyfriend waves a 1,000 Baht note in hopes to entice passing cars to pick them up. Finally, a truck driver pulls over and picks them. What is hiding inside that big trailer? Is there something deeper and darker that lurks behind the kind smiling face of the truck driver who lets them hop in? The answers to these questions will cause an adrenaline rush like no other.
Stars Charlie Trairat in what is possibly his darkest turn ever in a story involving "a road trip gone bad, human trafficking, and murder", this segment is also a pretty dark turn for the director -- Songyos Sugmakanan, who's new to the Phobia franchise. But he's done horror before, directing Charlie in Dorm.

In the End – Ter, Puak, Shin and Aey are the movie crew of an upcoming horror movie. They are shooting their last scene. On the last night, Puak is trying to be cool and tells one of the cast members that, “the show must go on”. So when that actress actually dies during filming, she makes sure to come back from the dead to finish her role. The four movie crews must shoot the movie that has a real ghost playing the role of a ghost in the end!
Stars Marsha Wattanapanich (Alone) who playing a caricature of herself, as a diva singer-actress on a film set where strange things start to happen. The segment is directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun, the other half of the Shutter/Alone duo.

Salvage – Nuch is a car dealer. She makes her living by rebuilding severely damaged cars. But little do unsuspecting bargain hunters know, beneath the new upholstery and shiny repainted exteriors are cars with horrific pasts. One night after closing the car garage, she discovers her son is missing. Reviewing the security camera tapes, Nuch sees her son climb inside a car that she recently brought but nowhere on tape has him climbing out! “Cemetery Garage” where you drive off with more than you bargained for.
Directed by Parkpoom Wongpoom, half of the Shutter/Alone pair, it stars singer-actress Nicole Theriault (One Night Husband) in a story about a mysterious used car. Sometimes in Thai culture there is a stigma about buying second-hand cars or old houses, because of the spirits that might be involved.

Ward – Arthit, a playful teenager crashes his bike and break both legs. At the hospital, he is moved from the ER room to a shared room. In the room, there is an old man in a coma who has been waiting for almost a month for his family to decide to pull the plug on his oxygen. What happens that night will make Arthit realize that being alone is always better than being around bad company.
Starring singer “Dan” Worawech Danuwong, this is a segment by another newcomer to the franchise, Visute Poolvoralaks, a veteran producer who's making his directorial debut. The story is somewhat a recall to Yongyooth Thongkonthun's first segment in “4Bia”, which had a girl immobilized by a broken leg.

Sources: GTH, Thai Film Journal – Photos courtesy of GMM Thai Hub