Sounds of the cinema

Published on November 7, 2007

Director Jira Maligool and, left, The ‘Feel Good’ concert’s handbills.

Film production house GTH, the studio behind such mega-hits as "Fan Chan" ("My Girl"), is celebrating its third anniversary this weekend by getting together with radio station 89 Banana FM for what it's calling a music and movie concert. "Feel Good", as the show is dubbed, will be staged at Scala Theatre, Siam Square, on Saturday at 2pm and again at 7.30pm.

The concert features songs from 18 GTH movies as well as from the album, "Feel Good: Greatest Hits". They include AB Normal's "Fan Chan", Boy Peacemaker's "Chang Mai Roo Roei" ("Puen Sanit"), Nop Pornchamni's "Rudoo Thi Taktang" ("Seasons Change"), Moderndog's "Ta Sawang" ("Final Score"), Marsha Vadhanatpanich's "Suan Nueng Khong Chan" ("Faed"), "Khid Thueng Ther Thuk Thee Thi Yoo Khon Diew" by Suthasinee Buddhinan ("Body #19"), and Joey Boy's "Ai Ba Ai Bee Ai Bo Ai Be" from "The Possible".

GTH's director Jira Maligool recently spoke about the soundtracks and their importance in making a movie successful.

Why does a movie need a soundtrack?

It is a shortcut to promoting the movie. A good director should now how to use a song in a film. In "Seasons Change", Pom decides not to leave Om and study abroad. We don't use dialogue in the scene but let Nop's song convey the feelings instead. That way, the audience understands what the two characters are thinking and feeling. His decision is the same as the changing season.

Do you think certain movies would work without soundtracks?

It's depends. I can't say whether a movie always needs music. Some songs come with the script. "Khid Thueng Ther Thuk Thee Thi Yoo Khon Diew" is perfect for the plot of "Body #19" because the lyrics can replace the dialogue. Mostly, we use songs to explain the character's innermost thoughts and feelings. In "Puen Sanit", Khai Yoi walks towards a railway station after being disappointed in love. That scene goes well with the reprise of the poignant "Chang Mai Roo Arai Bang Roei" because the music and lyrics reflect what he is feeling.

Is it important for today's film directors to know about music?

I think all film directors have a certain music sensibility.

When do you starting thinking about the song - while writing the script or when editing the film?

For me, it's after the editing. That's when I know what the movie lacks or what else is required to stimulate emotions. In "Sailab Jab Baanlek", there's a scene when the detective Jock covers the sleeping Nam Pan with a blanket and closes his eyes. We added the song "Mai Roo Jak Chan Mai Roo Jak Ther" to create an atmosphere - a kind of abstract feeling that he's falling in love with her.

The song can be conducive to the movie, but there are times when it isn't commercially successful. What then?

It's up to the director to decide if a song is suitable for the movie or not. It's not really about pushing the song to become a hit but whether or not the soundtrack is suitable for the scene or his movie. The movie comes first, not the song.

Which is better - the cover of a

well-known song or a newly written number?

Generally speaking, covers are better because they are already known to the audience. But if the song doesn't match the scene properly, it is just surplus.

A song is to help the audience imagine the character and his or her feeling, not the singer."

Tickets for the "Feel Good" concert are going for Bt1,500 and Bt1,200 and are available from Thaiticketmajor.com. Part of the proceeds will go to the Thai Film Foundation.

Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul

The Nation