Ratana Pestonji

 

Ratana Pestonji (1908-1970) is an eccentric and pivotal figure in the history of Thai cinema. The son of Persian immigrants studied engineering in England, where he shot his first film in 1938. After finishing his studies, he returned to Thailand, where he began working in films as a cinematographer in the 1950s. He founded his own company in 1952 in order to work with 35mm film and direct sound – contrary to common practice in his country. A 16mm film which he had made before is presumed lost. Despite his lack of success at the box office and with only four major works as a director, Pestonji became a legendary master of Thai cinema. His "official" début Country Hotel (1957) is considered to be one of the most important works in Southeast Asian cinematography. This black-and-white film was followed by three enigmatic romances in unbelievable colours: the musical Dark Heaven, the melodrama Black Silk and Sugar Is Not Sweet. Soon after, Pestonji ended his career due to poor health. It wasn't until 30 years later that his films were rediscovered in an English lab; now they constitute an important point of reference for the current Thai cinema renaissance as represented by Tears of the Black Tiger and Monrak Transistor. The latter film, a genuine homage to Pestonji, will also be screened at the Film Museum.