Bangkok Cinema Scene special: Seen by H.M.K.

The Thai Film Archive will show nine classic films in the screening series "Seen by H.M.K.", featuring movies that were viewed by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in a public cinema.

Mostly from the 1960s, among them are such Hollywood classics as The Great Escape and Love Story as a well as a James Bond film, You Only Live Twice, and several Thai films.

The series opens at 4pm on Tuesday, May 22 in the fifth-floor auditorium of the Bangkok Art and Culture Center, with an invitation-only screening of 1961's Mue Jorn, directed by Vichit Kounavudhi. A relic of the era when most Thai films were shot on 16mm, the archive has transferred its 16mm print to a hi-def digital file. The visual quality is still beautiful with some small scratches, assures programmer Sanchai Chotirosseranee. It will be accompanied by a team of live dubbers, just like when the film was shown back in the '60s.

"Seen by H.M.K." runs from May 23 to May 27 at the BACC and will be repeated afterward at the Film Archive in Salaya, Nakhon Pathom.

Here's the line-up:

• The Great Escape (1963, USA) Wed, 23 May at 6 p.m. at BACC and Sun 3 June at 1 p.m. at Film Archive
• Amrapali (1966, India) Thu 24 May at 6 p.m. at BACC and Tue 5 June at 5.30 p.m. at Film Archive
• Ruen  Pae (The Houseboat) (1961, Thailand)  Fri 25 May at 6 p.m. at BACC, Monday 4th and Sat 9th June at 1 p.m. at Film Archive
• Mue Jorn (1961, Thailand) Sat 26 May, 12 p.m. at BACC, and Fri 8 June, 5.30 p.m. at the Film Archive
• Jade Goddess (1969, Taiwan) Sat 26 May at 3 p.m. at BACC
• Lord Jim (1965, USA)  Sat 26 May at 6 p.m. at BACC and Sat 2 June at 1 p.m. at Film Archive
• Love Story (1970, USA) Sun 27 May at 12 p.m. at BACC and Thu 7 June at 5.30 p.m. at Film Archive
• You only Live Twice (1967, USA)  Sun 27 May at 3 p.m. at BACC and Wed 6 June at 5.30 p.m. at Film Archive
• Pan Din Khong Roa (Our Homeland) (1976, Thailand)  Sun 27 May at 6 p.m. and Fri 1 June at 5.30 p.m. at Film Archive

Of the non-English-language films, only Amrapali will be shown with English subtitles. There are no English subtitles on any of the Thai films. Admission is free.