Just Revealed: How To Make Millions: New Netflix Thai Series

Here’s a captivating introduction for the article: “Get ready to binge-watch the next big thing from Thailand! Netflix Thailand has just dropped a major announcement that will have you hooked from the very start. The streaming giant has unveiled a new series from the talented team behind the hit show ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ – a comedy that won hearts with its witty humor and relatable storylines. But that’s not all! Netflix Thailand has also revealed a feature film slate that promises to take you on a thrilling ride of emotions, action, and drama. With the Thai entertainment industry on the rise, this news is bound to send shockwaves across the region. So, what’s in store for us? Let’s dive in and find out!”

Global Breakouts: Thailand’s Latest Hit

safe-9314.jpeg

Thai cinema has been making waves in recent years, and one of the most notable films to emerge from the country is “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies”. This emotional and heartwarming drama has broken box office records around Southeast Asia, captivating audiences with its soulful portrayal of intergenerational relationships.

safe-5653.jpeg

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies

Name: How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies

Country: Thailand

Producer: GDH

International sales: WME

Independent Distribution: Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, ANZ

For fans of: The Farewell, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s films

Watch on Morningpicker

“I’m a bit surprised because it’s the first Thai movie that has this opportunity,” said Billkin, the film’s top star. “At the beginning of this project, I never dreamed that we were going to come this far.”

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies was Billkin’s first leading role in a film, having only made a guest appearance in 2019 film Brother of the Year, although he has starred in several television series, including the two-part coming-of-age series I Told Sunset About You and I Promised You the Moon.

The film follows a young man, M, played by Billkin, who moves in with his terminally-ill grandmother, played by Usha Seamkhum, taking care of her in a bid to win her inheritance. In the film, M’s family is Thai Chinese.

“I had some leverage, coming from a Thai Chinese family as well, so I do understand some of the cultural context of the movie, but of course, there are a few things that are far from my real life, so I did a lot of workshopping to prepare for the movie, like going to the same neighborhood that the film was set in,” said Billkin.

“Also, I had to explore some aspects with my grandparents that I should know before jumping into a film. The hardest thing about this movie is that the acting has to be very natural and I had to learn to make myself very comfortable with every situation I faced during the shooting process.”

The film has achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim, with the global box office raking in over 50M. How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies also topped the domestic box office, grossing more than 334M Thai baht (around $9.1M).

How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies will open in the UK and Ireland on December 26, under distributor Vertigo Releasing. This release is especially significant for Billkin, who is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in entrepreneurship at University College London.

safe-1170.jpeg

Behind the Scenes: How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies

The Making of a Screenplay

Pat Boonnitipat, the director of the film, has stated that he was inspired to make the film after watching the works of legendary Thai auteur Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Japanese directors like Akira Kurosawa, Naomi Kawase, Hirokazu Kore-eda and Yasujiro Ozu.

Boonnitipat studied Communication Arts at university but was inspired to make films after watching the works of legendary Thai auteur Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Japanese directors like Akira Kurosawa, Naomi Kawase, Hirokazu Kore-eda and Yasujiro Ozu.

He soon took on jobs making wedding videos and directing shows for mainstream television, working on Project S The Series and Bad Genius.

A producer passed Boonnitipat a script for How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies around three years ago. Alongside screenwriter Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn and drawing from his own life experience, he made two major changes to the screenplay.

First, the duo shifted genres, moving away from the slapstick comedy elements in the first version to incorporate a more emotionally-driven narrative. Secondly, while the original version of the script only featured a grandson and the grandmother, Boonnitipat felt that it was important to add characters to form a “middle generation” of children.

“I live in a big family, and all those in the middle generation actually affect a lot of the relationship dynamics between generations,” said Boonnitipat.

“We spent a lot of time together and I asked her so many questions like, ‘What would you do if this happened?’ and ‘Who would you give your inheritance to?’,” said Boonnitipat.

He adds that his grandmother started to get suspicious about his intentions, but Boonnitipat later told her that he wanted to make a movie out of her life.

safe-3844.jpeg

Awards and Recognition: How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies Makes History

The First Thai Film to Make the Oscar Shortlist

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies clinched a historic spot on the Oscar shortlist for Best International Feature Film this week, becoming the first Thai feature to ever make the December list.

Thailand has submitted 24 films for the international Oscar to date, since 1984, but the country has never scored a nomination nor spot on the shortlist, before How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, which is the debut feature of director Pat Boonnitipat.

“I’m a bit surprised because it’s the first Thai movie that has this opportunity,” said Billkin, the film’s top star.

“At the beginning of this project, I never dreamed that we were going to come this far,” said Billkin.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Netflix Thailand’s latest announcement marks a significant milestone in the streaming giant’s efforts to expand its presence in the Thai market. The unveiling of a new series from the creators of “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” and a slate of feature films signals the platform’s commitment to showcasing local talent and stories. The move is expected to not only cater to the growing demand for Thai content but also provide a platform for emerging filmmakers to reach a global audience.

The implications of this announcement are far-reaching, with the potential to elevate the Thai entertainment industry as a whole. By investing in local productions, Netflix is not only contributing to the country’s economic growth but also helping to promote cultural exchange and understanding. Furthermore, the platform’s focus on diverse storytelling is likely to resonate with audiences worldwide, fostering a more inclusive and representative media landscape. As the streaming wars continue to intensify, Netflix’s strategic move in Thailand is a testament to the company’s ability to adapt and innovate in an ever-changing market.

As the Thai entertainment industry continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the future of storytelling is global, and platforms like Netflix are leading the charge. With its latest announcement, Netflix Thailand is poised to make a lasting impact on the industry, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store. As the boundaries between cultures and languages continue to blur, one question remains: what other untold stories will emerge from the shadows, and how will they shape the future of entertainment as we know it?