An acclaimed and beloved work of Thai contemporary literature is adapted for the big screen by a rookie director

With 2009 predicted to be a year of economic gloom and political unrest for the Kingdom, Sahamongkol Film International is hoping to raise filmgoers' spirits with the release on Thursday of family film "Khwamsuk Khong Kati" ("The Happiness of Kati").

This charming tale is based on Ngampan "Jane" Vejjajiva's award winning novel and brought to the screen by rookie director Jenwai Thongdeenok.

Jenwai, a film graduate from Thammasat University's Journalism and Mass Communication faculty, reserved the rights to "Kati" a couple of years ago, when he and Ngampan were consulting on subtitles for a French film. At that time, he was on Sahamongkol's script development staff.

The film tells the story of nine-year-old Kati (Passorn Khong-mesuk) who lives with her grandparents in the countryside but longs for her dying mother, the victim of a motor neurone disease.

"The story shows how adults conspire to keep the truth from a child. They don't realise that Kati knows everything and is stronger than they expect," says the director.

Thai atmosphere

Ngampan acted as co-scriptwriter for the project.

"That's been helpful as it's given more depth to the background of the characters and, at the same time, she's added details from the second episode of Kati to make the story more perfect," says Jenwai, adding that he feels viewers will enjoy the very Thainess of the film.

"Personally, I love the subtle Thai atmosphere. I've tried to present it visually in the same way as Cherd Songsri did in his pictures."

The film also stars Ratchanok Sangchuto as Kati's mother, Jaruwan Panyopas and Sa-aad Peampongsan as the grandparents and Krissada "Noi" Sukosol Clapp and Michael Shaowanasai as Kati's uncles.

"My job as director is to cast the right actor in the right role. I knew what I wanted and I've treated my team with the respect they deserved. I believe the studio is satisfied with the result," he says.

 CHALLENGING KATI

>> The novel "Khwamsuk Khong Kati" (The Happiness of Kati) was awarded the SEAWrite Award for Thailand in 2006.

>> "Kati" actress Passorn Khongmesuk appeared in Prachya Pinkaew's action film "Chocolate" portraying Yanin "Jeeja" Vismitananda's character Zen as a child.

 >> "Khwamsuk Khong Kati" opens nationwide on Thursday.