Kaffeine Buzz
reviews independent and foreign films,
in addition to reporting the latest buzz behind
Colorado's film festivals.
Chocolate (Prachya Pinkaew)
Maybe Prachya Pinkaew isn’t
best known for his movie titles, or at least the
English titles. What Pinkaew is known for is his
Muay Thai movies “Ong-Bak: The
Thai Warrior” (who’s title is misleading
because Ong-Bak was an idol, the warrior was Ting)
and Tom yum goong, which in the U.S. was released
as “The Protector.”
His newest film, “Chocolate,”
has nothing to do with, well, chocolate. If you’re
looking for a movie about the confection then
you’ve come to the wrong place.
Aside from the absurd story, this movie is all
action. Pinkaew is known for his amazing cinematic
muay thai, his over-the-top stories, and his clever
choreography. In the traditional Pinkaew way,
all stunts in “Chocolate” are self-performed
with no wires.
Zin (Ammara Siripong) is an
autistic girl who finds interest in Muay Thai
when her mother moves her next to a Muay Thai
school. Her autistic mind absorbs the motions
like a sponge, and even more so, the martial arts
movies she watches thereafter. When her mother,
Zen, is diagnosed with cancer and begins a treatment
for which she cannot afford, Zin sets out to collect
the debts her mother never received. Zin quickly
finds herself entangled with the Thai mob.
Not to give the story line away, but there is
something about an autistic girl fighting an epileptic
boxer that is undeniably intriguing and inventive.
Ammara Siripong trained in Muay Thai for
five years to make this film. It paid off. She
graces the screen with a fluidity and elegance
that is engaging and larger-than-life.
As further proof that that these actors performed
all the stunts themselves, all the outtakes roll
during the credits so you can see all the falls,
never-pulled punches, and torture these actors
put themselves through in the name of film.
As an action film, this movie is top-notch, filled
with suspense, grace, and on occasion, comical
moments.
