LIKAY STAR - From the Jungle to the Thai Opera
Synopsis
Jungle child Manop is nine years old and dreams of becoming a star in Thailand’s most popular folk opera LIKAY. He lives among the elephants in the middle of the jungle near the remote border to Burma, and performs in the LIKAY children’s group in his village school. Manop is a Burmese refugee.He does not have a Thai passport, is not allowed to leave his village and will not receive a school report despite his diligence. Manop’s mother cleans the school for free so her son may attend. The family live in the school’s converted chicken coop. Because he wants nothing more than to perform LIKAY, Manop writes a letter to Thailand’s LIKAY superstar Chaiya Mitchai, asking him if he may perform once in his show. When Chaiya Mitchai actually invites him, Manop is allowed to leave the border region for the first time and embark upon a great adventure. He meets Chaiya in a luxurious hotel in Pattaya, is allowed to rehearse with him, and wins over the hearts of the Mitchai LIKAY family. In the end, Manop gets to perform LIKAY with his idol on the big stage, and earns a lot of money for the first time in his life.
A touching fairy tale told against an exotic and glittery backdrop – just like in a LIKAY show.
Cast and Crew
- Director Marco Wilms
- Screenwriter Marlen Burghardt
- Director of Photography Max Preiss, Marco Wilms
- Editor Christian R. Timmann