absolutelyBangkok archive · Being farang
Originally published May 2, 2008
I’ve never ever in my life went to see a kung fu movie or any other flick with brawls and fights. This new charming Thai kickin’n’beatin’ movie “Som Tam” though has me oddly attracted. And I keep wondering why.
The trailer made me laugh — especially those whining dogs. And don’t you love the scene with the monk? And how that feverishly pounded som tam drives that farang invincible…
It’s a martial arts comedy in which Aussie wrestler Nathan Jones stars as a homeless and very timid foreigner living on the streets of Bangkok. He’s taken in by two young girls. He’s quiet and peaceful until he eats a bowl of very spicy som tam.
As stupid as it looks, looks like a go! Not that a farang is portrayed in a most ridiculous way. The Thai producers cast him opposite children. That saves a lot of excuses. And explains a lot.
For those unfamiliar, Nathan Jones is the behemoth of a man who fought Jet Li in Fearless and Tony Jaa in Tom Yum Goong… Read that somewhere.
Here’s the trailer:
Thanks
Bangkok Pundit for the hint.
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