In an exclusive interview with Deadline, powerhouse Thai producer Vanridee Pongsittisak revealed new details about BASK Production House, a recently launched collaboration between Bangkok-based studio GDH and Bad Genius director Baz Poonpiriya. This partnership, announced earlier this month, is set to mark a significant milestone in Thai cinema.
Poonpiriya is slated to direct BASK’s inaugural projects, with Fast & Furious director Justin Lin and Anita Gou from Kindred Spirit (The Farewell) joining as producers. Lin’s project is progressing with a completed screenplay and is currently seeking investment, while Gou’s project is still in the script development phase.
Pongsittisak explained that a scheduling conflict prevented her from producing Poonpiriya’s initial project, leading Poonpiriya to enlist Lin, whose admiration for Poonpiriya’s work and the project’s screenplay made it an ideal fit. The partnership on this project began last year, though plot details remain confidential.
For the second project, Gou approached Poonpiriya to direct, with Gou and Pongsittisak set to produce under BASK. Pongsittisak, a seasoned producer with over 15 years in the industry and more than 30 titles, has been a pivotal figure behind GDH’s notable successes. Her credits include the record-breaking How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies and the upcoming The Paradise of Thorns, which will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Pongsittisak stated that BASK aims to revitalize cinema following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Distribution strategies for BASK films will vary by project, with some potentially debuting in Thailand before international release, and others, particularly English-language films, possibly premiering at international festivals before returning to Thailand.
GDH, a subsidiary of the Thai entertainment giant GMM Grammy, previously known as GTH, plans for BASK to collaborate with U.S.-based producers to bring Thai and Asian culture to global audiences. Pongsittisak emphasized the goal of producing internationally impactful projects and providing a platform for Thai filmmakers to gain global recognition. She also highlighted the need to address gender disparities in the Thai film industry, advocating for more opportunities for female directors and producers.
