After directing an exam-cheating thriller to critical and box office success and opening a swanky downtown bar, 38-year-old filmmaker Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya isn’t resting on his laurels.
Baz’ feature film follow-up to 2017’s Bad Genius, titled One For The Road, will be produced by Second Wave Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar Wai.
Said to be a “buddy road trip” drama, the movie chronicles two friends who reunite for a road trip during which one finds out the other has terminal cancer. There is, though, another subtext to what seems to be a final friend-bonding trip.
The film, shot in both New York and Thailand, stars Thai actors including Thanapob “Tor” Leeratanakachorn, Nattarat “Ice” Noprattayakorn, Violette Wautier, Ploi Horwang, Siraphun “Noon” Wattanajinda and Chutimon “Aokbab” Chuengcharoensukying. The latter rose to fame as the protagonist of Bad Genius — a straight-A student who schemes to cheat on exams.
Baz graduated with a master’s degree in stage directing from Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok. After working on TV commercials, he went on to study graphic design in New York. He returned to Thailand and produced his first film, the New Year’s Eve thriller Countdown.
His second feature Bad Genius swept a record-breaking 12 Golden Swans at the Thailand National Film Association Awards in 2018.
Related:
Thai blockbuster ‘Bad Genius’ to get Hollywood remake
