Living up to the promise shown in 6ixtynin9,Pen-ek's third feature catapulted the young Thai director firmly onto the world stage as Mon-Rak Transistor was selected for the prestigious Director's Fortnight section at Cannes Film Festival. Screening at dozens of Film Festivals around the world, including Pusan, Toronto and Rotterdam, this romantic action-musical-comedy won over audiences with its irresistible charm.

The story follows the mixed fortunes of dim-witted hunk Pan in his drive to carve out singing career. A regular crooner at local temple fairs, he meets and falls for Sadaw.They wed, Sadaw becomes pregnant and soon after Pan is drafted into the army. Life on the stage calls, however, and going Wallis just the first of several problems Pan must contend with as he heads for the big time and bright lights of Bangkok.

'Mon-Rak Transistor is an amazing achievement. It takes retro elements'Tearful melodrama, Thai country-and-western classics'and filters them through a comic sensibility' Better yet, it's not an exercise impost-modern irony but a touching and deathlessly sincere picture. Laughter and tears, philosophy and bowel-cleansing tonics in one matchless package.' -screen International Pen-ek Ratanaruang is a guest of the Festival. D/S Pen-ek Ratanaruang P Nonzee Nimibutr, Duangkamol Limcharoen WS Fortissimo Film Sales L Thai w/English subtitles TD35mm/Col/2001/115mins