Anocha “Mai” Suwichakornpong

Anocha “Mai” Suwichakornpong

Assistant Professor, Columbia University, New York City

Industry : The Arts

Anocha teaches a graduate school programme, but her alter ego is as an award-winning, experimental film director and producer. She founded the independent film production company, ''Electric Eel Films'', as well as Purin Pictures, a film fund that supports under-represented Southeast Asian filmmakers. Her work Graceland (2006) became the first Thai short film to be selected at the Cannes Film Festival. Taking joint pride of place is her second feature film, By The Time It Gets Dark (Dao Khanong), 2017, with her 2-year-old daughter. In 2017 she was the first woman to win the Best Director award from the Thailand National Film Association, followed by the 2019 Prince Claus award for "for pioneering a mode of intellectual feminist filmmaking, courageously and convincingly challenging hegemonic practices and established conventions, both in filmmaking and in society". In 2020, she was a recipient of the Silpathorn Award. She is working on the script of her next feature film, with plans for her first documentary. The novel that impacted her since her teens was Pheesart (Ghosts) by Seni Saowaphong since it shed light on class division and social inequality in Thailand, issues that she is equally passionate about.

Anocha “Mai” Suwichakornpong

Friday Future Lister: Mai’s Lens: Anocha Suwichakornpong’s Fusion of Film, Feminism, and Activism

Celebrating World Television Day and Mai’s impact on visual storytelling, feminism, and diversity in film

Do you still cherish the warmth of family gatherings around the television? If you do, let’s recognise the significance of the approaching World Television Day on November 21st. This annual celebration marks the anniversary of the first World Television Forum held in 1996. Initiated by the United Nations, this day is a reminder that television is a powerful medium of entertainment that connects us globally.

As we reflect on the history and significance of television on this occasion, it’s also essential to spotlight individuals who have made contributions to the world of medium, one of Koktail’s Future List, Anocha ‘Mai’ Suwichakornpong.

Photo: Courtesy of matthewng.co

Empowering Voices: Mai’s Journey in Film and Advocacy

Mai is a Thai independent film director, screenwriter, and producer, whose work transcends the boundaries of traditional filmmaking. A Visiting Lecturer on Art, Film, and Visual Studies at Harvard University, Mai has left a mark on the film industry with her perspective, blending film, feminism, and activism.

In 2006, Mai founded the independent film production company ‘Electric Eel Films,’ and later established Purin Pictures, a film fund supporting under-represented Southeast Asian filmmakers. Mai’s commitment to empowering voices often unheard in mainstream cinema is commendable, making her an advocate for diversity in the film industry.

 

When Cannes Calling

Her journey in filmmaking began with “Graceland” in 2006, a work that became the first Thai short film to be selected at the Cannes Film Festival. This marked the beginning of a series of accolades, with her second feature film, “By The Time It Gets Dark” (Dao Khanong) in 2017, earning her the Best Director award from the Thailand National Film Association. The film, created with her 2-year-old daughter, symbolises Mai’s ability to intertwine personal narratives with social commentary.

GRACELAND By Anocha Suwichakornpong Photo: Courtesy of Anocha Suwichakornpong

Challenging Conventions

What sets Mai apart is her cinematic achievements and her dedication to challenging societal norms. In 2019, she received the Prince Claus award for “pioneering a mode of intellectual feminist filmmaking” that challenges established conventions. Her films, informed by the socio-political history of Thailand, have received international acclaim and retrospectives at institutions worldwide, including the Museum of the Moving Image in New York and TIFF Cinematheque in Toronto.

Diversity in Perspective: Mai’s Personal Journey and Filmmaking Reflections

Born in 1976 to second-generation Chinese immigrants in Thailand, Mai’s journey includes spending her early childhood in Pattaya before moving to England at fourteen. Her diverse background and experiences are reflected in her films, providing a unique perspective on issues such as class division and social inequality in Thailand. Mai’s impact extends beyond her films. In 2020, she received the Silpathorn Award, showcasing her influence on Thai contemporary arts.

Anocha Suwichakornpong Photo: Courtesy of Anocha Suwichakornpong

Mai’s works enrich our understanding of the world and inspire us to think beyond the screen. In the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment, Mai’s lens continues to shape narratives, fostering a cinematic landscape that is diverse, inclusive, and socially conscious. As we celebrate Mai’s contributions to visual storytelling, it’s essential to recognise the broader impact of the medium on our global consciousness. Television and film, as powerful forms of entertainment, have the ability to shape societal perspectives, foster inclusivity, and champion diversity.

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