Latitude 6@Pattani: the movie about the deep South
Latitude 6 is not just the global position of the three southernmost provinces on Earth. It is a movie about the restive deep South which is expected to be shown to the public in mid-August.
The brainchild of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), the movie is co-produced by the security agency and UCI Media Company. The production cost was estimated at between 15-20 million with Isoc contributing about 10 million baht.
Directed by James Thanadol Nualsuth, the film is starred by Peter Corp Direndal, the main cast, who played the role of a computer programmer from Bangkok who went to Pattani to install computer system for the Islamic Bank there where he eventually met with a Muslim teacher by the name of Fa played by Ms Prisana Kampusiri, Miss Thai Universe for 2012.
The "feel good" movie also features other casts namely Sharif, a panjakseelad sportsman played by Natcha Chantharapan, Fern played by Veeraporn Jiravetsunthorn, Fai Fu played by Nong Yai Mai and Bao Vee played by Veerayuth Nancha, a famous singer hailed from the deep South.
Direndal said that, as a Bangkokian, he felt insecured for having to travel to the deep South after having heard about the violence in the region. But when he was actually down there, he admitted that he had seen the other side of the region – which is the beauty of the unspoiled environment, se and landscape.
"The movie will tell us that, in the end, we all are humands who can live together peacefully," said the young movie star.
Maj-Gen Nakrob Boonbuathong, deputy director of the 5th coordinating centre of Isoc and a key man behind the movie project, said that the film was intended to inform the people so that they understand the situation in the far South within just two hours.
He explained that using movie as a medium would be the easiest way to communicate with the public and to enable them to understand the situation. Morever, he said that the movie would not be boring and more effective than a commercial spot which usually took 1-2 minutes and would not convey any message.
No violence will appear on the movie which will mainly feature the beautiful scenery and environment of the region and peaceful co-existence between Muslims and non-Muslims, said the general, adding that after the movie, VCDs would be put on sale for wider public access.
It does not matter whether the movie makes money or not because it is not the objective of Isoc. But if there is a profit, it will be donated to the people in the region.
