Thailand

In May of 2005, Kurokoboshi took time out of his Tokyo hustle to film a movie in Bang Pong, Thailand. The following is an excerpt from the American-ex-patriate-Tokyo-dweller’s thoughts on making movies in the hinterlands of Thailand.

Pre-quel
I had the opportunity to act in a Japanese film entitled Habu to Genkotsu that was being shot in the Thailand countryside. It all started with a phone call from my friend Schon. He got an offer to do a movie in Thailand, but couldn’t take it. He wanted to know if I was interested. Always ready to add another chapter to my life’s story, I agreed. I had never been to Thailand. I had heard many stories about Thailand and experienced many situations vicariously through friends, and now it was time for me to share my experiences.

Before leaving I met the directors, producers, and writers of the film I was going to appear in. I was impressed by what I heard. The film is based on a true story about an Okinawan sansen (3 stringed guitar) player named Ryo and his experiences growing up in Okinawa in 1968. Ryo meets an American military solider named George, and they discover that they have more similarities than differences. The atmosphere of the film is heavily charged with discrimination and prejudice- Okinawans and Japanese (yes there is a difference-big difference in fact), US military and Japanese/Okinawans, officers and enlisted soldiers- and takes place with echoes of the civil rights movement lingering in the backdrop. I finished my gig on the Joint One Radio Show on Monday as the Kurokobushi and had three days before shooting to discover who this George was and time warp to 1968.

Day 1
I left my home at 7am for Narita Airport, just before the morning rush. I grabbed my last bite of Japanese food for two weeks, boarded Thai Airlines Flight #647 and arrived in Thailand. Airports can be very deceiving. They make you think everything is okay and then you enter the real world. Outside the airport I saw my first glimpse of Japanese capitalism, a Family Mart (convenience store) and add it to the American capitalism glimpse (KFC) I noted earlier. Paul (our driver) rolled up in a mega van and it was off to the hotel in Bang Pong, our filming location. Paul spoke a little English so I drilled him for some heads up Thai. We arrived at the hotel about two hours later and I had dinner with the actors. Everyone was great especially Shogen (who is playing the part of Ryo) and Mitsuki. The hotel room had HBO Asia, but I needed internet access to see if the Spurs won game 7.

Day 2
Got up early and went for a morning walk. Traffic in Thailand is like a free for all, with few lights and tons of scooters. I had breakfast in the hotel and in the afternoon went to one of the locations were the actors Mitsuki, Shogen, Ishida Eri, and Sai were filming. I couldn’t believe how much rural Thailand reminded me of my Grandma’s farm in South Carolina. Time has actually stopped in some places. I did the traditional aisatsu (Japanese greeting, bow and small talk) with the directors, and entire staff. Greetings are so important in Japan because it communicates humbleness and respect. Things are on a hierarchy scale so I had to give props to the big fish. I took care of my responsibilities.

Day 3
One of the film locations had really bad karma. In one room of the house, the owner kept helmets from dead soldiers of the Vietnam War. Needless to say, everyone filming in that room felt sick and kanashibari (feeling of being bound or held down, but you can’t see what’s holding you). I met our police protection, a definite necessity when you’re in rural Thailand. He was very helpful and even let cast members ride his motorcycle. Kai showed me where the internet caf

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