Featured photo by IMDb
Story by Larry Rincon
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Exuding elegance and beauty, the Thai period piece “Man Suang” delivers in all visual aspects and proves why “Apo” Nattawin Wattanagitiphat and “Mile” Phakphum Romsaithong are the powerhouse of studio Be On Cloud.
The film was released in Thailand back in 2023 and recently was made available on Netflix Thailand. Following the recent announcement for a sequel drama series called “Shine,” it was about time I learned the story behind the most elusive fictional entertainment club.
“Man Suang” takes place during the ending reign of King Rama III, where tensions are high as the Europeans threaten to invade Siam and political negotiations are occuring behind the scenes.
Wattanagitiphat plays Khem, a low class citizen who alongside his friend Wan, played by “Bas” Asavapatr Ponpiboon, are framed for the death of a government official’s nephew. The two are given the opportunity to clear their name if they retrieve documents detailing weapon dealings at an entertainment club named Man Suang. Khem ends up meeting Chatra, played by Romsaithong, and the two end up working together to uncover the secrets surrounding the club.
There is no denying the beauty behind the production. Be On Cloud never disappoints with their cinematography, and “Man Suang” showcases their skills through beautiful compositions and well utilized lighting.
The colors of the scenes added to the staging and elevated the overall feel of the film. One scene in particular had a Wes Anderson feel to it between the symmetry and the color scheme, and I wish that the studio had sprinkled in more shots like it.
Costume design was another great aspect for the film. Period pieces tend to highlight the beauty of older fashion, and “Man Suang” allowed me to see Thai culture in a way that I am not very familiar with. Seeing the way individuals of different status were dressed and treated was illuminating.
There were unfortunately some aspects of “Man Suang” that fell flat. The movie was marketed for it’s use of taphon, a traditional Thai drum, and Khon, a classical Thai dance drama genre, yet those two aspects of Thai culture barely made an appearance.
As someone who was drawn into the concept of this film because of the cultural aspects that were being promoted, I was disappointed by their lack of use. The trailer for the film made them seem like important story elements, but ultimately they were accessories for the characters.
The plot itself was for the most part well done. The main characters’ roles were predictable. You can figure out who’s lying about their status and loyalty and who is most likely to die. At times, the story was even confusing.
Certain scenes would bring in plot points that are not ever addressed until the last five minutes. There were also scenes that made little to no sense. I myself was confused as to what the story was for the first twenty minutes, until the characters talked and made the story clear.
The saving grace to the issue with the plot is the acting. “Tong” Thanayut Thakoonauttaya played the role of Hong, the son of Man Suang’s owner. His ability to go from portraying an eccentric character in “KinnPorsche” to a higher status individual with power here in “Man Suang” is incredible. Having seen some of his other performances, Thakoonauttaya has one of the most impressive ranges when it comes to the characters he’s played.
The other performance worth mentioning is Ponpiboon. He made his acting debut in “KinnPorsche” and his role in “Man Suang” was small yet he portrayed his character really well. His ability to convey the mental and emotional state of Wan in the film came as a complete surprise, and it left me impressed by the potential he has as an actor in the future.
As the second ever production under Be On Cloud, “Man Suang” was impressive to say the least. Many aspects of the film were brand new to me, from the language they used to the culture and time period.
The movie is not perfect by any means, but if you keep an open mind and watch it as an opportunity to learn more about the culture of Thailand, you will find something to praise. Admire it for its beauty and give the story of Khem and Chatra a chance because you just might end up looking forward to the continuation in “Shine.”
To contact Lifestyles Editor Destiny Mizell and Assistant Lifestyles Editor Shamani Salahuddin, email lifestyles@mtsusidelines.com. For more news, visit www.mtsusidelines.com, or follow us on Instagram at MTSUSidelines or on X at @MTSUSidelines.
