Thai boxer swaps ring for the silver screen
Print Edition
BUAKAW Banchamek is known across Asia as a world-class kickboxer. Ranked No. 6 in the world by Combat Press, his success as a fighter is undeniable. It might come as a surprise to some that an accomplished boxer like him would move away from the ring and start a career as an actor, but Banchamek says he didn’t hesitate when deciding to make the transition.
Banchamek was in town earlier this week bringing his movie, “Legend of the Broken Sword Hero,” to the Shanghai International Film Festival. The director Bin Bunlunerit also joined him at the showing in the Grand Theater to talk about the cultural importance of the movie.
Banchamek said he wanted to take his success as a fighter and do even more. He looked at it as an opportunity to grow and try something new.
“The movie is like baby steps toward becoming an actor,” he said. “This is my first main role in a movie, and I’m learning more and more every day.”
Director Bunlunerit said Banchamek’s popularity as a fighter was one of the reasons he chose him for the lead role.
“The audiences need a star whom they can relate to, someone who can represent this role. He is known throughout the world, and has 10 million fans here in China, so he is the perfect person to bring this story to the people.”
“Legend of the Broken Sword Hero” is about Thong Dee, a fighter with incredible boxing abilities who becomes a loyal solider for the Thai King Taksin the Great. Banchamek said that playing a boxer in the movie made the transition to acting easier.
“Since I have been boxing for so long, it comes naturally to me, I don’t have to think about it,” Banchamek said. “The challenge comes from trying to become this character, fighting as him instead of yourself. It takes a lot of preparation.”
Banchamek stressed preparation a lot, saying that it was the reason why he was able to perform his tasks as an actor. He had to study the story of Thong Dee extensively to ensure that his portrayal was accurate.
“This is my first main role in a movie,” he says, “so it’s important that I take it very seriously.”
Ultimately, his preparation and hard work paid off.
His acting is as seamless and natural as his fighting, bringing Thong Dee and his story to life on screen.
The story is well known throughout Thailand and leans heavily on Thai culture, but both Banchamek and Bunlunerit thought there’s still a lot that Chinese audiences can gain from the movie.
“It is about Thai history, but it’s also more than that. It’s about someone who was born a fighter and his fight for freedom,” Banchamek said.
“We know that China is very different from Thailand, but the ideals in the movie are universal. It’s something everyone can learn from.”
Bunlunerit was quick to agree. “It’s a story about how an ordinary man can become a hero,” he said.
In addition, he said there’s a lot that Chinese audiences can directly relate to within the movie. “The movie pays respect to many Chinese cultural aspects in addition to the Thai ones,” he said.
Central to the movie’s plot is the traditional Chinese opera. Banchamek’s character in the movie is blown away by the skill of the Chinese performers, and even asks the opera’s owner to teach him some acrobatics. The opera and its performers, all of whom are Chinese, are blended into the story perfectly and their culture is treated with the utmost respect throughout the movie.
“It represents the good relations between Thailand and China. With over 40 years of good diplomatic relations, it’s something that we’re very proud of, and we wanted to show that in the movie,” Banchamek said.
Moreover, the movie gives audiences a chance to learn something new about Thai culture.
Bunlunerit is excited to be able to bring traditional Thai boxing to a wider audience. He said: “So many people have become interested in Thai boxing and Thai culture, and there is a lot they can learn from this film.”
The movie itself is superbly made. Banchamek and his co-stars all give spectacular performances and tell the story in an effortless and extremely accessible way. It’s able to engage audiences while still remaining historically and culturally accurate.
Banchamek is excited to share this movie with his fans and continue with his acting career.
“I don’t consider myself a ‘star’ yet,” he said. “But I think this movie is a step in that direction. I’m very proud of it and how much I’ve learned in the process.”
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