premiere
"Twilight over Burma-My Life as a Shan Princess" was the film the whole city wanted to see, which however was not possible,as the screening was a semi-private show,organised by local producer Alfred Deutsch for the crew of the team,with the support of the Austrian Embassy who had their own special invitee- list.
Infact,there was a large flurry of Ambassadors in attendance. As also the large cast,including the German actress, Burmese team, crew of 'Living Films'-all watching the film for the first time!
And it was a film that reached out to one and all. A wonderful and tragic love-story, studded with emotion,tension,social and political imbalances that kept everyone on edge, more so,when they knew that it was all based on a real-life tale.
The German actress and Thai star who played the lead roles ( Maria Ehrich/ Daweerit Chullasapya ) were quite outstanding. Kudos to Austrian Director Sabine Derflinger (who I became friends with, at a film festival in India,many years back-) for capturing the heart and soul of a complex Asian love-story that had many layers to it. It was a pity she could not be in Bangkok,due to a shooting-schedule.
Thanks to Ambassador HE Enno Drofenik for arranging a
great 'Austrian' evening -the wine and cuisine also contributed to the great cinematic evening.
There will be a second screening in Chiangmai, for the Shan community,where a lot of the film was shot.
One hopes the movie will get a public release here,and not be restricted to TV,as in Europe.
