Published on June 23, 2005 (The Nation)

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‘Fan Chan' co-director Songyos Sukmakanan has been back to class filming the dormitory freak-out ‘Dek Hor'

In a darkened dorm surrounded by dozens of sleeping forms, six young boys sit silently on the floor.

Slowly, Ton raises a flashlight to his face.

The horror begins.

Nestled among the modern, concrete campus buildings at Assumption College in Sri Racha, the green, two-storey wooden structure is the perfect location for “Dek Hor” (“Dorm”), scheduled for release on October 6.

After the huge success of feel-good movie “Fan Chan” two years ago, Songyos Sukmakanan – one of its six co-directors – has chosen to make his solo directing debut with another kid flick.

He's based the story on his nine years at boarding school, and spiced it up with a healthy pinch of horror.

“When I first was sent away to school, I thought my parents didn't love me, but being a boarder turned out to be the happiest time of my life,” says the 27-year-old, who spent three years at Assumption in the '80s.

“Dek Hor”, which is set in 1985, centres on Ton (Charlie Trirat), who is sent to boarding school after he discovers his dad's secret. Feeling lonely and abandoned, Ton is led by a new friend into the dark mysteries that lurk beyond the walls.

“Life at boarding school is not a novel idea in movies. ‘Dek Hor' attempts to place it in a different situation,” says Songyos.

The film is being co-produced by GTH and Phenomena Motion Pictures, the successful partnership behind last year's blockbuster “Shutter”.

“It took almost a year to turn the script into something truly scary,” says producer Jira Malikool.

A child away from home in a strange place adds to the suspense, but Songyos feels the interplay with the other characters is vital.

“It shares a theme with ‘Muang Rae' [‘The Tin Mine'], in that you have dozens of people living under one roof. But I think the fact that they're children makes it more attractive.”

Charlie was his first choice for the part. “I've known him for a long time, and he fits into the character. He looks really introverted, which is rare in a kid of his age.”

The other boarders are played by boys of varied backgrounds, most of whom attend similar schools in real life.

Former superstar Jintara Sukkhaphat returns to the wide screen in the role of an ultra-strict teacher.

Songyos has long dreamed of working with Jintara, and she's pleased to be reunited with Charlie, who a decade ago played her son in acclaimed film “Kallakrung Nueng Muea Chao Nee” (“Once Upon a Time … This Morning”) – when he was just one year old.

With the Bt20-million shoot almost complete, Songyos says he's enjoyed working solo, but has missed the company of his fellow directors from “Fan Chan”.

“The advantage of working as a group was that we could each concentrate on the things that interested us the most. Now, working on our own individually, we have to do everything.”

Three of the others are also busy on projects for the mainstream market. Komkrit Trivimol is in post-production on “Phuean Sanit” (“Dear Dakana”), Adisorn Trisirikasem is filming the football comedy “Maak Te” (“Lucky Loser”) and Nithiwat Tharathorn is about to begin work on the teen flick “Seasons Change”.

“I used to prefer depressing movies like ‘21 Grams' – now I like films with a more optimistic or entertaining message,” says Songyos.

“I'm making that kind of movie.”

Parinyaporn Pajee

The Nation

Started in August 2005