Chatrichalerm Yukol

Yukoi, also known as Tan Mui, is paving the way for a whole new genre of film. His latest release, The Legend of Suriyothai (2001), is Thailand's first big budget blockbuster film as well as one of its most highly anticipated. Breaking new ground in cinema has been a way of life for the son of 35 mm pioneers His Royal Highness Anusornmongkolkarn and MOM Ubon Yuko Na Ayudhya. Tan Mui has been involved in film since the time he was born, November 29, 1942. His parents were co-founders of the Lavo Pappayon Company that was apart of the family's daily life up until Tan Mui was sent to Australia for schooling. He next moved to the USA where he received a degree in geology from UCLA. His minor was in film studies, sharing the classroom with directors Francis Ford Coppola and Roman Polanski. He completed his work in the US by interning with the famous film producer, 'Merian Cooper'. When he returned to his native Thailand he began working for his father right away. Breaking away and trying to make it on his own, he took to writing and directing TV dramas like Ying Gor Mee Hua Jai (Women Have a Heart too), Hong Si Chompu (The Pink Room), and Mor Bhi (Ghost Speller). His feature film debut came when he headed the Mun Ma Kab Kwam Mued (It Comes with the Darkness) in 1972. His follow up, Chue Karn (His Name is Karn) earning him a nod for the award for Best Director in Thailand. His success continued as he released at least a film a year until 1979. Yet he continues to be one of the most important directors in Thailand while experiencing success on the international level as well, evidenced by the success of his film Kong (The Box) at film festivals around the world. He has spent the last few years tackling the most anticipated (as well as high pressured) film in Thai cinema history, Suriyothai. Yet with his background and his many talents, moviegoers everywhere are betting that Tan Mui will deliver.