The Embassy of Italy in Thailand, together with the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Max Image Co., Ltd. released a documentary film titled “ME AND THE MAGIC DOOR – discovering Italian Architecture in Bangkok”, on May 19, 2022 at ICON Cineconic cinema, with the aim of promoting artistic and cultural cooperation among Italy and Thailand.
The documentary unfolds from the perspective of Fai, a Thai-Italian character who travels to Thailand to write an article about the Italian cultural heritage in Siam. The audience can follow Fai’s journey and her discovery of many iconic places such as Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, inside Dusit Palace, Baan Norasing (Government House), Baan Phitsanulok and several other impressive buildings created by Italian architects and decorated by Italian artists, under the guidance of Thai personalities of the time, during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.
Mr. Lorenzo Galanti, Italian Ambassador to Thailand, said: “After the reunification of Italy in 1861 the Kingdom of Siam established friendly relations with Italy. His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) were profound connoisseurs and admirers of Italian art and culture. Therefore, several construction projects in Bangkok were assigned to a group of Italian experts, creating the conditions for a highly successful artistic cross-fertilization. Thirty-five Italian architects, engineers and artists worked with the Thai Department of Public Works on some of the most important and spectacular building projects of the time. Most of the works are very well preserved, and can still be seen. They are a testimony to the solid and long-standing friendship between Thailand and Italy, and proof of the important role that art and culture can play in the exchange of mutual knowledge and appreciation and in strengthening international cooperation.”
The documentary ME AND THE MAGIC DOOR is under the patronage of the Thai Ministry of Culture, and was made in collaboration with many agencies in the Royal Thai Government, which kindly granted the permission to shoot in their areas. The Embassy especially thanks the The Bureau of the Royal Household and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, and The Arc of Memory research unit at Chulalongkorn University, which acted also as scientific advisor of the project.
Directed by Marco Gatti, written by Francesca Andreini and starring Stefania Kim Gardini, Giulietta Consentino and Samuel Nai, this documentary film is a non-profit cultural project. It will be screened for educational purposes and to stimulate cultural tourism. Screenings of the film will also take place at cultural events, cultural and educational activities in Italian and Thai academies, film or art festivals, and design and architecture exhibitions.
Whoever is interested can request permission to arrange the screening by contacting the Embassy of Italy in Thailand.
Next screening will take place at Museum Siam on May 31st, 2022 at 6pm. Registrations are open on Eventbrite.
For more information about the documentary and screenings, please contact the Embassy of Italy in Thailand by email: UFFCULT.BANGKOK@ESTERI.IT
