“une exploration inédite du cinéma thaïlandais...” (‘a unique exploration of Thai cinema...’)

Thai Cinema Uncensored is reviewed in the new issue of the Journal of the Siam Society (pp. 149–152). In his review, written in French, Bruno Marchal describes the book as “une exploration inédite du cinéma thaïlandais... une ressource précieuse pour ceux qui cherchent à comprendre l’évolution et la diversité du cinéma thaïlandais à travers les époques” (‘a unique exploration of Thai cinema... a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the evolution and diversity of Thai cinema through the ages’).

JSS (vol. 112, no. 2) was published this month. Thai Cinema Uncensored has also been reviewed by the International Examiner and Bangkok Post newspapers, the journal Sojourn, the magazines Art Review and The Big Chilli, and the 101 World website.

BBC News Thai

I was interviewed by Napasin Samkaewcham for an online video from BBC News Thai, published today, which examines the current state of film censorship in Thailand. (Twenty years ago, on 5th February 2004, I was interviewed on BBC3 television.)

“an illuminating work of resistance to censorship...”

Thai Cinema Uncensored has been reviewed in the International Examiner, a fortnightly newspaper published in Seattle, Washington. A headline in the 21st September 2022 issue (vol. 49, no. 18) describes the book as “an illuminating work of resistance to censorship” (p. 6).

In her review, Elinor Serumgard says: “Matthew Hunt writes with a sense of urgency to legitimize these films and work towards a future where Thai filmmakers make the films they want without having to worry if people will be able to watch them. Readers will come away with a deeper understanding of Thai films and the history that has shaped them.”

Thai Cinema Uncensored has also been reviewed by the Bangkok Post newspaper, the academic journal Sojourn, and the magazines Art Review and The Big Chilli. An online review was published by the 101 World website.

Thai Political Resistance and the Moving Image

I gave a presentation yesterday at a seminar organised by Popaganda, a research project studying the role of popular culture in challenging oppressive political regimes. My presentation, Thai Political Resistance and the Moving Image, discussed the politicisation of independent Thai cinema and music videos, and the event took place at Centre Point Hotel in Bangkok.

“This book is a valuable addition to Thai cinema studies...”

Thai Cinema Uncensored is reviewed in the new issue of Sojourn: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia (vol. 37, no. 2). In her review (pp. 374–377), Annette Hamilton writes: “This is a great read not just for those interested in film, but for anyone trying to understand the nexus between culture and politics in Thailand in recent times.” She concludes: “This book is a valuable addition to Thai cinema studies. It is well-written and instructive.” Thai Cinema Uncensored has previously been reviewed by the Bangkok Post newspaper, Art Review and The Big Chilli magazines, and the 101 World website.

“ห้ภาพของการตั้งคำถามเกี่ยวกับการเมืองการปกครองร่วมสมัยผ่านภาพยนตร์ได้อย่างค่อนข้างครบถ้วน...”(‘a complete picture of the questioning of contemporary politics through film...’)

The Thai news website The 101 World reviewed Thai Cinema Uncensored on 21st January 2021. In his review, Matt Changsupan writes: “นอกจากข้อมูลที่อัปเดตมากๆ... ได้ให้ภาพของการตั้งคำถามเกี่ยวกับการเมืองการปกครองร่วมสมัยผ่านภาพยนตร์ได้อย่างค่อนข้างครบถ้วน” (‘in addition to its very up-to-date content... it provides a complete picture of the questioning of contemporary politics through film’).

The 101 World article is headlined “ภาพยนตร์ไทยไม่ต้องห้าม” (‘Thai movies are not forbidden’). Thai Cinema Uncensored has also been reviewed by the Bangkok Post newspaper, and Art Review and The Big Chilli magazines.

A Day

The new issue of A Day magazine (vol. 22, no. 250) was published yesterday. The issue is entirely devoted to Apichatpong Weerasethakul, under the theme of “Apichatpong’s Universe”. It includes an interview about Thai film censorship (with photographs by Nattawat Tangthanakitroj), on pp. 216–219.

“A history of film censorship in Thailand...”

Thai Cinema Uncensored is reviewed in today’s Bangkok Post newspaper, on p. 10 of their Life arts supplement. In his review, headlined “DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS: A history of film censorship in Thailand”, Chris Baker calls it a “splendid book.” He also describes it as a “fascinating book which has relevance for film, contemporary culture and politics in general.” Thai Cinema Uncensored has also been reviewed in The Big Chilli and Art Review magazines.

“Hunt’s lingering closeups on the mangled, hidden wreckage of film censorship...”

Thai Cinema Uncensored is reviewed in the March issue of Art Review magazine (vol. 73, no. 1), on p. 111. Reviewer Max Crosbie-Jones writes: “Thais and Thailand watchers will recognise the bigger story, an all-too-common narrative arc streaked with moments of fear, absurdity and humour, in Hunt’s lingering closeups on the mangled, hidden wreckage of film censorship.” Thai Cinema Uncensored was also reviewed in The Big Chilli magazine earlier this year.

Politics and Ideology of Thai Film Censorship

I gave an online lecture at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies today, which was introduced by historian Thongchai Winichakul. The Center described the session as follows: “Matthew Hunt wrote a book on Thai film censorship that includes interviews with ten directors whose films have been cut or banned. In this lecture, he will present an overview of the history of film censorship in Thailand, examine the consequences of the rating system, and show how filmmakers are finding ways to comment on Thailand’s volatile contemporary politics.”

“the first full-length study of Thai film censorship...”

The first print review of Thai Cinema Uncensored—“the first full-length study of Thai film censorship”—has been published, in The Big Chilli magazine. The full-page book review is on p. 25 of the January issue.

Thai Cinema Uncensored

Thai Cinema Uncensored goes on sale today. Published in paperback by Silkworm Books (Chiang Mai), it’s the first full-length history of Thai film censorship. It examines how Thai filmmakers approach culturally sensitive subjects—sex, religion, and politics—and how their films have been banned as a result.

The book also features interviews with ten leading Thai directors: Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Yuthlert Sippapak, Pen-ek Ratanaruang, Chulayarnnon Siriphol, Thunska Pansittivorakul, Ing K., Tanwarin Sukkhapisit, Kanittha Kwunyoo, Surasak Pongson, and Nontawat Numbenchapol. It will be released in the US and the UK on 21st March 2021, distributed by the University of Washington Press. It’s also available as an ebook, via Amazon Kindle and Google Play.

Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Apichatpong Weerasethakul explains why he was targeted by Thailand’s film censors: “Maybe they wanted some money, under the table”. (This is an extract from an interview in Thai Cinema Uncensored, which will be published later this year.)

Pen-ek Ratanaruang

Pen-ek Ratanaruang discusses the problem of self-censorship and the sensitive footage he couldn’t risk showing to the censors: “We’ll just have to bury it in the ground somewhere!” (This is an extract from an interview in Thai Cinema Uncensored, which will be published later this year.)

Yuthlert Sippapak

Yuthlert Sippapak explains his battle with the Thai military over the film Fatherland (ปิตุภูมิ): “They don’t want the truth. I want the truth.” (This is an extract from an interview in Thai Cinema Uncensored, which will be published later this year.)

BBC Radio

I’ve been speaking to four different BBC radio stations yesterday and today, discussing the bombing at the Erawan Shrine that took place in Bangkok yesterday. Last night, I spoke to BBC Coventry and Warwickshire and another local station, BBC Hereford and Worcester. Tonight, I spoke to the regional BBC WM (West Midlands) and the national BBC 5 Live.

Encounter Thailand (July 2013)

I have interviewed actor Ananda Everingham as the cover feature for the July issue of Encounter Thailand magazine. The article, In Bed with Ananda (vol. 1, no. 15, pp. 26–33), has also been translated into Thai.

For the June cover story, I interviewed Pla Komaratat and Kay Sitongdee, and I interviewed Apichatpong Weerasethakul for the May issue. I edited the February, March, and April issues. My previous articles were published in October, November, and December last year.

Encounter Thailand (June 2013)

I interviewed film producers Kay Sitongdee and Pla Komaratat as the cover feature for the June issue (vol. 1, no. 14) of Encounter Thailand magazine (pp.28–31). The article, Free as a Bird, has also been translated into Thai.

I have also written a feature on the Thai ghost Mae Nak, for the same issue. That article, The Haunted Screen (pp. 32–33), traces Mae Nak’s extensive film appearances.

I interviewed Apichatpong Weerasethakul for the May issue of the magazine, and I edited the February, March, and April issues. My previous articles were published in October, November, and December last year.

Encounter Thailand (May 2013)

I have interviewed Apichatpong Weerasethakul for the May issue of Encounter Thailand (vol. 1, no. 13, pp. 36–39). In the wide-ranging interview, the director discusses his entire career.

I edited the February, March, and April issues of the magazine. My previous articles were published in October, November, and December last year.

Encounter Thailand (April 2013)

The April issue of Encounter Thailand (vol. 1, no. 12), the magazine I edit, includes two of my articles articles about Thai elephants. The cover feature, Thailand’s Ivory Trade (pp. 2–5), analyses the illegal ivory market. Elephants in the Movies (pp. 33–34) discusses the representation of Thai elephants in cinema.

I also edited the February and March issues. My previous articles were published in October, November, and December last year.