The Overture

Beautifully portrayed dramatic story about a young musician who finds many obstacles in his path through life, a path that runs parallel to the recent history of Thailand. The protagonist is the fictional character Sorn, although the true life of the Thai musical master Luang Pradith Phairao plays an inspirational role in the development of the film. No real biopic, but a film in which traditional Thai music really plays the lead. Sorn becomes skilled in playing the ranard-ek, the Thai wooden xylophone, by practicing at night in a deserted temple. This is against his parents’ wishes, because Sorn’s elder brother was beaten to death by rival musicians. When the people around him are convinced of his talent and Sorn is allowed to develop his musical skills, the boy becomes secure with himself, and increasingly nonchalant and arrogant. He seems ready for a lesson in humility, and he gets it in the form of a musical contest against the master Im Khun. His defeat brings him to repent, which later enables him to be able to rise to court musician. In his later life, he retains his stubbornness and his passion for traditional music. When playing this kind of music is banned during the war (because western music has become the norm), Sorn does not sit back and accept it. (GjZ)