DAVID WINTER’S THAILAND EXPERIENCE...THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING...

Premiere Issue (P. 20)

By Sabrina Johnson

When Daria! contributor Jane Delson last interviewed David Winters in November 2005, he was about to inaugurate his new film "The King Maker", at the American Film Market in Santa Monica, California. Recently he was asked if the film realized the response he was anticipating at the AFM and if he has developed the final blueprint pertaining to the adoptable marketing and distribution strategies, as a result of the information accumulated from the audience’s reaction to the film.

"Well we didn't actually present the film at the AFM as I had no Key Art prepared for the international market at that time," remarked Winters, "I only had the Thai Key art, which was particularly designed for the Thai audience and it would not be applicable to the rest of the world. Furthermore, I did not have a promo other than the Thai promo, which also differed from what I required to pursue the film's international sales. So, while I was there, I created a promo to be used for the international marketplace that was acknowledged very favorably by everyone. Mark Lester, owner of American World Pictures and his staff, talked about the film and announced our intention to screen it in Cannes for the first time, as the film still had to undergo some changes prior to being available for presentation to the international audience.

In other words, in reality, Cannes will prove to be the pivotal event for ‘The King Maker’ and not the AFM, as was originally planned." Winters specified that the film has not been submitted to the Cannes Film Festival for competition and it has not been submitted for participation in any other festivals yet, although it has already garnered some awards and distinctive recognition in Thailand.

At the Thai Academy Awards, Cindy Burbridge (ex-Miss Thailand) was the recipient of the Best Supporting Actress in a Film award for her role in the film. The Best Costumes, Best Production Design and Best Special Effects categories were also awarded to ‘The King Maker’. All the theatre owners comprising the membership of the Federation of Cinemas in Thailand, vote on these awards.

It was also nominated for two Star Entertainment Awards (voted on by all the Thai newspaper reporters) and consequently won for Best Costumes. "It’s very rewarding when your film is recognized in, and by, the country in which it was filmed and I’m very proud of receiving all these nominations for it", observed Winters.

When asked if he has the intention of featuring the film with broad screenings in Thailand, due to its historical setting there, he replied by describing the controversial content of the film in relation to Thailand: "It is about a true story that occurred in 1547, when Queen Sudachan of Siam assassinated her husband, the King, and her son, the Prince, in order to install her lover on the throne.

As the audience may or may not be aware of, the people of Thailand love their Royal Family and they worship them as though they were living Gods. Images of them are displayed in every store and home in the nation. So, in my judgment, for a foreigner to come to Thailand, choose this subject and make a film of it, is very controversial. All the journalists and newspaper entities questioned me about my subject selection. It was a touch and go situation, particularly when it came to the censors, just before the theatrical release in over 100 cinemas, here by Sahamonghol Distribution (the biggest and most powerful distributor in the country).

I was very surprised that the film was shown for as long as it was in the cinemas, since its debut took place on the worst weekend of the year. Our competition included ‘Flightplan’, with Jodie Foster, which had been number one in the US for three weeks; ‘Doom’, which was the new number one film in the US; ‘Wallace and Gromit’, which was number one in the UK and it was well on its way to grossing UK £48,000,000; ‘Act of Thunder’, another studio film, and four Thai films. It was an extremely difficult weekend for the film to prove successful and I was simply aiming at ensuring it would endure the weekend since, in Thailand, a film is pulled after two days if it doesn’t perform well.

Winters is contemplating to continue using the production facilities employed in the filming of ‘The King Maker’ in Thailand, he confirmed that he is very anxious to make another film there. In addition, this film’s success has also yielded new film production business opportunities for these facilities. He explains this rarity: "I think that an increasing number of filmmakers is becoming conscious of the opportunities for producing international films here in Thailand. ‘Rescue Dawn’, starring Christian Bale and directed by Werner Herzog, was filmed here. ‘Crash Bandits’, directed by John McTiernan, will also be shot here, so it seems as though the word is out. I’m very glad I have been able to contribute in helping the Thai film industry to flourish in any which way I could because I think they represent a very talented group of individuals. My film, by the way, is the first Thai film to be shot here in English."

Referring to his full slate of upcoming projects, he stated: "I start production on an animated family musical in April. This project will take me 2 to 3 years to complete and it is the result of a partnership with a Malaysian Company. It is a new and revolutionary concept, as the characters will literally come from the screen and go back into the screen, three times during the film. It is a new process that I have created and that I am calling ‘CineShow’. It has never, ever been seen in a film before and, NO, I am not speaking of 3D images, or holograms, these are strictly live people. I originally used this concept with Diana Ross and Alice Cooper so I know it is possible to create and I know how to do it.

I have invited a writer over from the U.K., Sean J. Casey, to write two screenplays for me. One is about the first Chinese explorer, Zhenz, who discovered the Americas in 1421, seventy years prior to Columbus’ arrival and it is to be shot in China and Malaysia. It is based on a true story, therefore there have been some documentaries about it and this film is also a partnership with another Malaysian Company.

Sean J. Casey has also been selected to write the screenplay for a published book, entitled ‘Bologna Re-Visited’, which was written by William Lie. This production will be filmed all over Europe. I partnered with Johannis Akkermans and William Lie for this production. It is based on a true story and it is a ‘Bourne Conspiracy’ type of film.

I have another project on the go, called ‘The White House’, which will be shot just outside of Shanghai, China as well as in Russia. I have a Russian partner for this film. Igor Medvedev, who has been working for me for over 21 years in Russia, will now be the Associate Producer for this film. Each of these projects will include the participation of a major star, which will be announced just before shooting."

David Winter’s schedule is certainly very hectic, especially considering that he also has ten other films in the developmental stage at this time. His range of is certain to deliver unparalleled work, certain to please audiences everywhere. D

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