A day in a life of a young Thai artist, Cea, where she has to encounter yet another stereotype of her identity as a Thai woman. All the frustration that she might have been accumulated, she found a way to chasten the stereotype, and bring her pride back to her fellow girls.
Bo Nawacharee Writer, Director
Angel Teng Producer
Belle Visa Key Cast "Cea"
Andrew Bliek Key Cast "Kyle"
James T. Majewski Key Cast "Patrick"
Bo Nawacharee, born and raised in Bangkok Thailand, is a writer/director based mainly in Los Angeles.
Bo’s works are narrative-based, with otherworldly elements. She often denies having feelings towards people yet most of her works explore the human connections with each other and the world itself .
Recently graduated with an MFA in film directing from CalArts, she has a bachelor of arts in Cultural Studies and minor in Japanese. Bo also engages in multidisciplinary arts and event productions.
Growing up spending time in various cities around the world, Bo is not bounded to Los Angeles, and always up on the feet with her bags ready to go.
Please tell us what inspired you to enter into the world of films?
At first it was the whole escapism concept but after a while I see it more of an experience portal. I wanted to be a part of this medium that changes from being something that allows me to escape the world entirely to something that allows me to understand the world more and more. To experience certain feelings, imagine certain circumstances, or understand the journey of someone else’s. And now, most importantly I see it as an ascending medium of conversation and empathy.
Filmmaking is a laborious job, so what keeps you motivated?
I used to have many good responses to this but lately it has been such a rough time in the world and also for me personally. I think what keeps me going is probably the combination of my great supporters and my stubbornness.
How do you choose your star cast?
I love the good old in-person audition. I love seeing the lives that people bring into the casting room. It’s great fun trying and exploring things both inside and outside of the screenplay and then see their takes in the roles and what they can bring to life. Chemistry and their personal take to the material is also very important to me.
Do you think taking an audition is the best way to cast for a movie or documentary?
Yes, until I prove myself otherwise. I’m open to see all the possibility though.
Do you agree many filmmakers fail to understand the importance of editing?
I don’t think so. I think if that’s the take on it then the falling short might be more on the luxury of time and resource rather than failing to acknowledge the importance of editing. It’s what brings film to life. If we think in that sense that some of us fail to take the importance in to account then maybe we fail to keep pushing or falling short on ourselves. Maybe we are not pushing ourselves and film enough to let it takes its own form and life. Maybe if we stick with our initial idea or our screenplay too much we risk the potential of not allowing the stories and the footages to reach something even more interesting. Maybe.
Who are your filmmaking influences?
I like Kim Bora’s Recorder Exam a lot. Yorgos Lanthimos’ world building also has a huge influence on me and inspire me so much. Richard Linklater’s Before Trilogy also was one of the most impactful films to me on the dialogue and chemistry sense. Also, Alex Dimitrov, the poet — he influences my film’s mood and idle curiosity and exploration in my works a lot. Whenever I need some inspiration in my writing I’ll go back to his poems.
How do you choose a script that you are going to direct?
I usually direct my own screenplay but when it comes to commissioned work or directing other people’s script I always make sure that the project gives me enough creative freedom. It’s always preferable to have connections with the screenplay and it’s an extra giving if the work allows me to work with the script a lot.
Where do you see the film industry going in the next 2 years?
With what’s happening recently it’s very difficult to foresee anything. However, I do feel that we are looking up to more diversity on screen for sure. I do hope though that the diversity is not only showing in front of the camera but also behind the camera as well.
Do you make films to entertain the audience?
That might not be the first priority when I first started any project but I do hope so? (laugh)
Which actor, according to you, is the all-time best actor?
I don’t think I can narrow down to one person for sure. However I do think that Kim Min Hee, Tony Leung, Olivia Coleman, Tilda Swinton, Toni Collette, Cillian Murphy, and Helena Bonham-Carter are legendary for sure.
What are your goals when you make a film?
There’s so many goal in my mind while making a film but I think one that I’m trying my best to keep in mind is to give the film itself the most life and let it breathes and lives on its own without being too attached to the initial purpose I have for it. I want the film to become a vehicle of conversation and in order to do so I have to allow the film itself to find its own existence as well, which I think is one of the hardest thing I’m learning at the moment.
What role does music play in a movie?
Emotions. Completely emotions. Music could stand for narrative and it could insinuate things as well but that is not really my preference. For me, music does what it does best in life as in film, which is bringing out the emotions and enhance the life of the scene.
How do you ensure that production is on schedule?
I trust my producer. (laugh). I do keep good schedule of myself, so apart from other factors I’m not too worried about it once I hand over the logistic of the production solely on to my producers.
Please tell us about your upcoming projects.
I just finished two short films, one (Fall Into My Palms) being an experimental short about space, time, and relationship, and another one is a dance film about Bangkok’s air pollution (Bangkok2.5).
I’m currently writing and editing my screenplays and working with my producers to edit those drafts. One is a short about an artist struggling to fit herself in her hometown in Bangkok, and another one is a stories about Asian international students in Los Angeles.
The finished projects are available on my website (www.nawacharee.com). Feel free to reach out to talk or chat!