"Where the Miracle Happens" was the Thai feature film that was screened on Sunday while the Chinese film "Where is My Home" featured on Saturday. Both movies appealed to local audiences because of their powerful story lines.
Thailand's acting Consul General Surin Jema and Haj Consul Halim Waenalai welcomed the guests and introduced the film.
"Where the Miracle Happens" was a film by Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Siri Vadhana Phannavadi, the eldest daughter of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
"The film is part of the 'Miracle of Life' project run by the princess. Some Thai children are deprived of the opportunity to have a good education. So, this project aims to help the underprivileged and develop their potential," said Waenalai.
The film is the heart-warming story of Pimdao, a successful businesswoman played by the princess herself. She values material things until she loses her only daughter in a car accident.
She then begins a new journey of life and searches for her true happiness. Set in a remote village school surrounded by nature, the woman is fascinated by the kind-hearted local people whose hearts unite into one.
She finally discovers that happiness lies upon an evergreen hill. Sirippakorn Wongjariyawat directed the 98-minute film, which was released in 2008. A Thai tourism documentary, "Experience Thailand Once in a Lifetime" preceded the movie.
"Where Is My Home?" tells the story of Geng, a simple village mother, who raises two of her children. Her son makes his way to the city and offers to have her come and live with him and his family.
Despite the improved material conditions of the city, Geng cannot help feeling isolated and lonely. It takes some time for her children to understand how she feels away from her village. All of them build the family into a well-knit unit.
The movie, directed by Misheng He and starring Yuan Lu and Fengbin Wang, was released in 2008. The 95-minute film was in Chinese with English subtitles.
Chinese Consul General Wang Yong welcomed the guests and introduced the movie. China produces three main kinds of movies including commercial films, campaign films and art films, he added.
They sometimes go through a similar screening process but are produced with different goals in mind. Chinese art films are popular with Western film buffs.
The Chinese film industry is forecasted to grow from generating $250 million in box office profits in 2005 to $900 million by 2010 and almost $2 billion by 2015. China's film industry produced over 500 films in 2009, compared to just 100 in 2002.
