Film Authorship: A Case Study of Thai Film Director, M.L Bhandevanov Devakula

Abstract

One of the approaches to studying films is authorship which studies personal styles of film directors. This article discusses the film directing styles of a prominent Thai film director, M.L Bhandevanov Devakula. In this study, the primary researcher selected four films of Bhandevanov, namely The Eternity, The Outrage, Jan Dara the Beginning, and Jan Dara the Finale as samples of the study. The researcher examines Bhandevanov as an auteur and traces elements throughout his film that contribute to the formation of his authorial signature. This paper is based on the qualitative method using close textual analysis of the four films and interviewed the film director. Findings suggest that the film director has the unique style of making films that are films narrative styles, mise-en-scène, and camera placement. The significance of this study is, it provides an understanding of Bhandevanov’s style of film directing. This study may have implications for research on filmmaking, the styles of film directors, and the film industry of South East Asia. Auteur theory, film studies, Thai films, directing styles