In the Belly of the Kingdom
THE NATION
In the Belly of the Kingdom
Published on May 2, 2003
Since filming of ‘The Beach’ caused such a ruckus in Thailand, Hollywood producers have been wary of coming here. However, Steven Seagal begs to differ. He’s in the thick of things filming his latest flick, ‘Belly of the Beast’.
While some Hollywood producers are reluctant to shoot a movie in Thailand after the storm of controversy that surrounded filming of “The Beach” in 1999, Steven Seagal is not among them. In fact, he has even spent US$1 million (Bt42 million) of his own money to shoot his latest action movie here.
“I think there are some unknown quantities. ‘The Beach’ was a terrible experience and many Hollywood people vowed they’d never shoot again either in Bangkok or in Thailand after that,” says Seagal, as the racket of rifle fire in the Thewet area near Banglamphu dies down and the crew sets up some more props for the next scene of “Belly of the Beast”.
The film is directed by Tony Ching (of “Hero” fame) and written by Seagal.
“Belly of the Beast” is about a former CIA agent (played by Seagal) who has to rescue his kidnapped daughter. The quest leads him on a trail of political intrigue, corruption, danger and betrayal.
Thankfully, Seagal is not the only Hollywood name coming back to the Kingdom. Other films, including “Beyond Borders” starring Angelina Jolie, and “Around the World in 80 Days”, starring Jackie Chan, have recently been filmed here. Along with regular visits by producer-director Oliver Stone (“Nixon”, “Heaven & Earth”) to scout out location possibilities, all this activity would seem to indicate that Thailand has by no means been written off by international filmmakers.
Sporting a pony tail and a black, Chinese-style long-sleeved shirt, the Buddhist Aikido master greets the crowds with a wai accompanied by a Sawaddee krap and Sabai dee mai? in a clear accent.
Seagal is ready to be interviewed but even at 10pm, the heat is so unbearable that crew members have to fan him.
So, Seagal is asked: has he ever faced any obstacles to making films in Thailand?
“Only the heat,” he mutters.
There are several Thai actors involved in the film, 90 per cent of which is being shot in Bangkok, Hua Hin and Nakhon Ratchasima’s Khao Yai National Park.
The cast includes Sara Malakul Lane as Seagal’s daughter Jessica, Chakrit Yamnam as Jessica’s boyfriend, and Pongpat Wachirabanjong as chief of the Abu Karaf (no relation to the non-fictional Abu Sayyaf of the Philippines), which kidnaps Jessica.
Seagal compliments Chakrit and Pongpat, saying they are both talented actors and easy to work with. Sara, he says, is hardworking and looks like she could be his own daughter as they are both of mixed blood – Seagal has a daughter born to a Japanese mother.
However, the actor says he was disappointed that he couldn’t get to work with everybody he wanted, such as his old friend Ad Carabao, with whom the actor performed in a recent concert.
Carabao is currently on tour.
The Nation was prevented from asking Seagal directly if there was any truth to the rumour that the US mafia had threatened him.
Instead, the film’s PR officer responded: “Sorry, no questions about the mafia are allowed.”
“Belly of the Beast”, which wraps up its Thai shoot on Tuesday, will be released in the US in time for Christmas and in Thailand early next year.
Kreangsak Suwanpantakul
The Nation
***************************************************
Sporting a pony tail and a black, Chinese-style long-sleeved shirt, the Buddhist Aikido master greets the crowds with a wai accompanied by a Sawaddee krap and Sabai dee mai? in a clear accent.
in oneness
THE NATION
In the Belly of the Kingdom
Published on May 2, 2003
Since filming of ‘The Beach’ caused such a ruckus in Thailand, Hollywood producers have been wary of coming here. However, Steven Seagal begs to differ. He’s in the thick of things filming his latest flick, ‘Belly of the Beast’.
While some Hollywood producers are reluctant to shoot a movie in Thailand after the storm of controversy that surrounded filming of “The Beach” in 1999, Steven Seagal is not among them. In fact, he has even spent US$1 million (Bt42 million) of his own money to shoot his latest action movie here.
“I think there are some unknown quantities. ‘The Beach’ was a terrible experience and many Hollywood people vowed they’d never shoot again either in Bangkok or in Thailand after that,” says Seagal, as the racket of rifle fire in the Thewet area near Banglamphu dies down and the crew sets up some more props for the next scene of “Belly of the Beast”.
The film is directed by Tony Ching (of “Hero” fame) and written by Seagal.
“Belly of the Beast” is about a former CIA agent (played by Seagal) who has to rescue his kidnapped daughter. The quest leads him on a trail of political intrigue, corruption, danger and betrayal.
Thankfully, Seagal is not the only Hollywood name coming back to the Kingdom. Other films, including “Beyond Borders” starring Angelina Jolie, and “Around the World in 80 Days”, starring Jackie Chan, have recently been filmed here. Along with regular visits by producer-director Oliver Stone (“Nixon”, “Heaven & Earth”) to scout out location possibilities, all this activity would seem to indicate that Thailand has by no means been written off by international filmmakers.
Sporting a pony tail and a black, Chinese-style long-sleeved shirt, the Buddhist Aikido master greets the crowds with a wai accompanied by a Sawaddee krap and Sabai dee mai? in a clear accent.
Seagal is ready to be interviewed but even at 10pm, the heat is so unbearable that crew members have to fan him.
So, Seagal is asked: has he ever faced any obstacles to making films in Thailand?
“Only the heat,” he mutters.
There are several Thai actors involved in the film, 90 per cent of which is being shot in Bangkok, Hua Hin and Nakhon Ratchasima’s Khao Yai National Park.
The cast includes Sara Malakul Lane as Seagal’s daughter Jessica, Chakrit Yamnam as Jessica’s boyfriend, and Pongpat Wachirabanjong as chief of the Abu Karaf (no relation to the non-fictional Abu Sayyaf of the Philippines), which kidnaps Jessica.
Seagal compliments Chakrit and Pongpat, saying they are both talented actors and easy to work with. Sara, he says, is hardworking and looks like she could be his own daughter as they are both of mixed blood – Seagal has a daughter born to a Japanese mother.
However, the actor says he was disappointed that he couldn’t get to work with everybody he wanted, such as his old friend Ad Carabao, with whom the actor performed in a recent concert.
Carabao is currently on tour.
The Nation was prevented from asking Seagal directly if there was any truth to the rumour that the US mafia had threatened him.
Instead, the film’s PR officer responded: “Sorry, no questions about the mafia are allowed.”
“Belly of the Beast”, which wraps up its Thai shoot on Tuesday, will be released in the US in time for Christmas and in Thailand early next year.
Kreangsak Suwanpantakul
The Nation
***************************************************
Sporting a pony tail and a black, Chinese-style long-sleeved shirt, the Buddhist Aikido master greets the crowds with a wai accompanied by a Sawaddee krap and Sabai dee mai? in a clear accent.
in oneness
