CHUTIMON Chuengcharoensukying is the star of Nattawut Poonpiriya’s 2017 hit film Bad Genuis.
The Thai model and actor, who won international acclaim and awards for her show-stealing performance in the film, joins us on Close-up Culture for quick chat about Bad Genius, her character and her Hollywood ambitions.
Q: Congratulations on Bad Genius. The film received great reviews. What was your reaction when you first read the script?
A: THANK you. After I first read the script, I was interested but quite confused about how to represent this character to the director. Even still, I saw it as a good opportunity to take a chance and told myself to take the role.
Q: You play Lynn, a master cheater and high school math prodigy. Can you tell us how you prepared for the character and how you connected with her?
A: I DID a workshop to help design the Lynn character. The director and acting coach asked me questions about what I thought about Lynn and we wrote it all down on paper so that we had a list of over one hundred things about the character.
Q: The film is based on true events. Were you aware of the story and did it influence your approach in any way?
A: YES this is based on true story, but I do not think that had an effect on me. I do think that it is a good thing that we can learn from this true story and that this realness adds another element to the film.
Q: Director Nattawut Poonpiriy has received a lot of praise for the film’s style and comparisons with Edgar Wright. What was it like working with Nattawut and what kind of atmosphere did he foster on set?
A: THIS was my first movie and he was my first director also. He was quite serious on set but I know he just wanted everything to be perfect and to get the best results for the movie. I think we had good teamwork. The director fostered me a lot and, when he could not, he passed me onto my acting coach. She a lot communicated with the entire cast.
Q: What were the biggest challenges making this film?
A: THE biggest was that this was the first movie for a lot of us. Also the part when we were shooting in Sydney and the limited time we had for shooting in each location.
Q: Can you tell us more about your background and what attracted you to acting?
A: I LEARNT how to act from my modelling career first. I did a lot of work on commercials and got a better understanding.
Q: Who are your inspirations inside and outside of acting?
A: MY family because their love has always supported and inspired me. They are the wind beneath my wings.
In terms of movies, my inspiration is my director. He can groom me to be a good actress.
Q: Your role in the film has seen you won awards including Screen International Rising Star Asia. What do you want to achieve in the future? You have all the qualities to be a success in Hollywood.
A: I CAN absolutely see Hollywood in my future. It would be a dream to work there.
Q: Lastly, can you tell us about any of your upcoming projects?
A: RIGHT now, I am in Beijing ready to start working on a Chinese film.