May Who? Explained

May Who?
Native Name:เมย์ไหน..ไฟแรงเฟร่อ
Director:Chayanop Boonprakob
Editing:Riff Animation Studio (animation)
Studio:Jorkwang films
Distributor:GTH
Country:Thailand
Language:Thai
Gross:$2,216,783
(approx. ฿79,120,310.44)[1]

May Who? (Thai: เมย์ไหน..ไฟแรงเฟร่อ; ;) is a 2015 Thai romance comedy film directed by Chayanop Boonprakob starring Sutatta Udomsilp, Thiti Mahayotaruk and Thanapob Leeratanakajorn. The film, produced and distributed by GMM Tai Hub premiered in Thailand on October 1, 2015.[2] It was the last film to be produced and distributed by GTH before defunct in December 2015 as a result of internal conflicts.

Synopsis

Pong (Thiti Mahayotaruk) is a high-school outcast who loves to draw. He turns his daily activities into comic book stories, making his real-life crush, Ming (Narikun Ketprapakorn) the female protagonist and himself as the hero. One day, he accidentally submits his comic book to the teacher. May Nhai (Sutatta Udomsilp), another high-school outcast who has the ability to discharge electricity when her heart rate rises, discovers Pong's book. When she reveals his book to the entire class, including Ming, Pong tries to get back to her but he is repelled by her hidden ability. He promises to keep it a secret and they become friends. Later on, Pong starts to encourage May Nhai to confess her feelings for Fame (Thanapob Leeratanakajorn), the most famous person in school, but she is scared she might electrocute him. Little does she know, Fame secretly likes her as well. He invites her to join track-and-field, in which she agrees to after Pong persuades her. During this time, Pong slowly feels love towards May Nhai, and she starts to become his female protagonist in his stories. Seeing that Fame and May Nhai are getting closer, he is about to give his love up and just continue to support them. However, he decides to change his destiny; so he fights for her. In the end, May Nhai chooses Pong over Fame because he stands by her despite her power.[3]

Cast and characters

Main cast

Supporting cast

Production

The title May Who? is derived from an expression used in Thailand, where 'May' is the most common girl's name. People will say 'May Who?' when they do not know which May is being referred to.[4] [5] The film was supposedly going to be released five months earlier but the 10-minute inclusion of animation in the film caused the delay.[6] It was finally released on October 1, 2015, less than a month after GTH's release of Freelance film.[7]

May Who? is the movie comeback of director Chayanop Boonprakob after the success of his first feature-film SuckSeed in 2011.[8] [9] If SuckSeed was inspired by Boonprakob's love for music, May Who? was inspired by his passion for comics and animation. In fact, the story line of the film was based on Boonprakob's teenage years.[10] He stated: "I kept a diary and also drew comic stories, especially when I had a crush on a girl. At that time I didn't have a camera to take her picture and couldn't look into her life because Facebook didn't exist... This experience of mine became my inspiration in creating the character of Pong." Commenting on how teenagers compare themselves to others because they feel dissatisfied with what they have, he said: "Pong lacks confidence and he is a nobody in school, but he is sensitive to the feelings of others around him. This enables him to draw the little details into his illustrations, and I think this is the charm of Pong." He also adapted Hollywood'€™s superhero image, which suited both the Thai culture and the film budget.

After the success of GTH's , Boonprakob have chosen its cast members to play in the film€. The director initially thought of Sutatta Udomsilp only, but he ended up recruiting the other alumni as well. He stated: "I did try to cast new actors as I didn't want the series to influence the film too much but ended up casting them as they were all so perfect for my characters... And Thiti is the kind of person who is still happy even when he's being teased." With this, the film marked Thiti Mahayotaruk's film debut, playing the role of Pong who likes to draw. Other than the fact that it was his first film, he was pressured because he needed to show his drawing skills. He commented: "I usually like to draw but I am not very good at it. In order for me to portray my character well, I had to attend drawing workshops." In the end, he thought the making of the film was fun, especially since the crew and his co-actors helped and supported him a great deal.[11]

Promotion

The cast and crew of May Who? visited different places to promote the film in hopes to reach ฿80,000,000 (around $2,241,433) gross.[12] The venues include Siam Paragon shopping mall[13] and CentralWorld shopping plaza.[14] Sutatta Udomsilp was not able to join the promotions due to her suspension following her involvement in an 'untoward subway-dancing incident' in Japan. She was only allowed in October 7, six days after the film's release.

Other multimedia

May Who?
เมย์ไหน ไฟแรงเฟร่อ
Format:Manga
Genre:Comedy, Supernatural, Romance
Adventure:N
Fantasy:Y
Publisher:Siam Inter Comics
Date:2015
Issues:1
Artists:จีรวัฒน์ บุญห่อ
Creators:รุจา กลิ่นเกษร, ณัฐพรรณ ส่งไพศาล
Tpb:184 pages
Isbn:9786163697691

May Nai Fai Rang Frer comics (เมย์ไหน ไฟแรงเฟร่อ – ฉบับการ์ตูน) is an illustration written by รุจา กลิ่นเกษร and ณัฐพรรณ ส่งไพศาล, and published by Siam Inter Comics with the cooperation of GTH company.[15] [16] The comics, which focuses on stories about the main characters and their personalities, was released prior to the release of the film.[17] According to the director: "The comic is like a prequel of Pong's life".

Soundtrack

The following are tracks used in May Who? film:[18]

Reception

Box office

The film received positive critical reception and was considered a success in the box office.[19] In its opening weekend, the film grossed $605,708 (฿21,618,627.08). By the end of its run, May Who? grossed approximately $2 million domestically and $197 thousand internationally, totaling approximately $2.2 million worldwide. The cast and crew held a commemoration on October 9 to celebrate its success in the box-office and to thank the fans as well.

Critical response

The film has a score of 7.79 out of 10 on Siam Zone based on 14 reviews,[20] indicating generally favorable reviews from its viewers.[21] On Sanook!, the film has a score of 3.5 out of 5 rating stating that the comedic timing is on point despite the inconsistency of the actors' expressions. It is also interesting to see the animation with its bright colors in the film, according to Sanook!. However, it is a pity that the film did not show more about the issues concerning high school outcasts in elite schools.[22]

Accolades

width="90%" class="wikitable sortable"
YearAward-Giving BodyCategoryRecipientResult
align=center rowspan=22015Daradaily The Great Awards 5[23] Celebrity Film Actress of the YearSutatta Udomsilp
Bioscope Awards 2015[24] Performance of the YearThiti Mahayotaruk
2016Thailand National Film Association Awards[25] Best ActorThiti "Bank" Mahayotaruk
Best ActressSutatta Udomsilp
Best Supporting ActorThanapob Leeratanakajorn
Best Supporting ActressNarikun Ketprapakorn
Best DirectorChayanop Boonprakob
Best ScreenplayChayanop Boonprakob, Vasudhorn Piyaromna, Nottapon Boonprakob, Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn
Best Art DirectionArkadech Keawkotr
Best Costume DesignSuthee Muenwaja
Best SoundKantana Sound Lab
Best EditingPanayu Kunvanlee
Best Visual Effects
Best Original Song"Nhai Nhai"
Best ScoreHualampong Riddim
align=center rowspan=5Thai Film Director Association Awards[26] [27] Best PictureMay Who?
Best Director/CinematographyChayanop Boonprakob
Best Female LeadSutatta Udomsilp
Best Supporting ActorThanapob Leeratanakajorn
Best Supporting ActressNarikun Ketprapakorn
align=center rowspan=7Bangkok Critics Assembly Awards[28] Best ActorThiti Mahayotaruk
Best ActressSutatta Udomsilp
Best Supporting ActorThanapob Leeratanakajorn
Best Supporting ActressNarikun Ketprapakorn
Best ScreenplayChayanop Boonprakob, Vasudhorn Piyaromna, Nottapon Boonprakob, Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn
ลำดับภาพยอดเยี่ยมโดย ปนายุ คุณวัลลี
ดนตรีประกอบยอดเยี่ยมโดย หัวลำโพงริดดิม และ วิชญ วัฒนศัพท์

Notes and References

  1. Web site: May Nai Fai Rang Frer (May Who). Box Office Mojo. 22 May 2016.
  2. Web site: เมย์ไหน..ไฟแรงเฟร่อ. GTH. 22 May 2016. Thai. https://web.archive.org/web/20181009095457/http://gth.co.th/films-and-series/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%A2%E0%B9%8C%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%99-%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%9F%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9F%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD/. 9 October 2018. dead.
  3. Web site: MAY WHO? Official International Trailer. YouTube. GTHchannel. 22 May 2016.
  4. Web site: Simanjuntak. Tertiani. 'May Who?' a jolt in Thai teen comedy. The Jakarta Post. 22 May 2016.
  5. Web site: May Who?. GSC Movies. 18 December 2015. 22 May 2016.
  6. Web site: Pajee. Parinyaporn. Powered by teen angst. Nation Multimedia. 22 May 2016.
  7. Web site: Heart Attack (2015). IMDB. 22 May 2016.
  8. Web site: "จีทีเอช" ส่งหนังเรื่องใหม่ของ "หมู" ผกก.ซัคซี้ดฯ "เมย์ไหน..ไฟแรงเฟร่อ" ภาพยนตร์โรแมนติกขำอะดี้. GTH. 22 May 2016. Thai.
  9. News: Rithdee. Kong. Nothing succeeds like failure. 26 March 2011. Bangkok Post. 23 March 2011.
  10. Web site: "หมู-ชยนพ" ห่างหายจากหนัง "ซัคซี้ดฯ" 4ปี กลับมาอีกครั้งในหนัง "เมย์ไหน..ไฟแรงเฟร่อ". GTH. 22 May 2016. Thai.
  11. Web site: "เมย์ไหน..ไฟแรงเฟร่อ" ต้องโชว์ทักษะการวาดการ์ตูน. GTH. 22 May 2016. Thai.
  12. Web site: "จีทีเอช" จัดงาน "เมย์ไหน..ไฟแรงพุ่ง มุ่งสู่ 80ล้าน ยกขบวนพาเหรดกีฬาสี ฐานันดร ตระการตา. GTH. 22 May 2016. Thai.
  13. Web site: "จีทีเอช" ซ้อน 2 จัดงาน 2 เรื่อง "ฟรีแลนซ์ 14 วัน 80 ล้าน..ไปต่อค่ะพี่สุชาติ พร้อมเปิดตัวหนัง "เมย์ไหน..ไฟแรงเฟร่อ". GTH. 22 May 2016. Thai.
  14. Web site: "จีทีเอช" จัดงานรอบกาล่า "เมย์ไหน..ไฟแรงเฟร่อ" ภาพยนตร์โรแมนติก ขำอะดี้ 1 ตุลานี้มาขำอะดี้กันทุกโรงภาพยนตร์. GTH. 22 May 2016. Thai.
  15. Web site: เมย์ไหน ไฟแรงเฟร่อ – ฉบับการ์ตูน. SE-ED Online Shopping. 22 May 2016. Thai.
  16. Web site: ฉบับทดลองอ่าน. Siam Inter Comics. 22 May 2016. Thai.
  17. Web site: เปิดตัว เมย์ไหนไฟแรงเฟร่อ ฉบับหนังสือการ์ตูน. SMM Sport. 22 May 2016. Thai.
  18. Web site: เมย์ไหน..ไฟแรงเฟร่อ. YouTube. GTHchannel. 22 May 2016.
  19. Web site: เมย์ไหน..ไฟแรงเฟร่อ มุ่งสู่ 80 ล้าน. kapook.com. 10 October 2015. 22 May 2016. Thai.
  20. Web site: เมย์ไหน..ไฟแรงเฟร่อ. Siam Zone. 22 May 2016. Thai.
  21. Web site: วิจารณ์ เมย์ไหน..ไฟแรงเฟร่อ ...อ้างอิง. Siam Zone. 22 May 2016. Thai.
  22. Web site: วิจารณ์หนัง "เมย์ไหน..ไฟแรงเฟร่อ" ฮาหนักแต่ดราม่าไม่หนัก. Sanook. 29 September 2015 . 22 May 2016. Thai.
  23. Web site: Daradaily The Great Awards 5 ประกาศผลแล้ว เจนี่-เจมส์จิ. Kapook!. 4 March 2016. 22 May 2016. Thai.
  24. Web site: แบงค์ มุ่งพัฒนาฝีมือการแสดง ประทับใจงานพบปะแฟนๆ. Siam Zone. 22 May 2016. Thai.
  25. Web site: Awards for 2016: National Film Association Award. IMDB. 22 May 2016.
  26. Web site: เปิดโผเวทีสมาคมผู้กำกับหนังไทย. ThaiRath. 23 February 2016. 22 May 2016.
  27. Web site: "ฟรีแลนซ์ฯ" คว้า 5 รางวัลสมาคมผู้กำกับ ใหม่-ซันนี่-วิโอเลต แท็กทีมคว้ารางวัล. Prachachat. 22 May 2016. Thai. https://web.archive.org/web/20160624223048/http://www.prachachat.net/news_detail.php?newsid=1456733137. 24 June 2016. dead.
  28. Web site: รายชื่อผู้เข้าชิง รางวัลชมรมวิจารณ์บันเทิง ครั้งที่ 24. Kapook!. 12 February 2016 . 22 May 2016. Thai.