Old and Outdated view of Thailand's rural sector.
08/04/1999
(3 out of 5 stars)
"On the one hand, it is a good view of the past lifestyle of the people outside the metropolis Bangkok. On the other hand, it is also an outdated tourism video. The singers, etc. presented on this video are from a time gone past. If you are a history student who have visited Thailand before and want to get a view of the past, this may be a good buy. On the other hand, if you've never been to Thailand and think this video will show you what it is like - NOT! Thailand has changed so much in the past decade. This video was actually shot in 1983 but redistributed in 1994. Get Thailand - The Golden Kingdom instead."
A cultural look at Thailand in the 1980's
The Delite Rancher | Phoenix, Arizona | 02/03/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
""Two Faces of Thailand - A Musical Portrait" is a cultural examination of Thailand in 1983. There are benefits and drawbacks of a cultural examination at this time period. Thailand was at a unique point of modernization in the 1980's. This film documents the transition many Thai took from rural to urban life. As with the other films in the "Beats of the Heart" series, this is a look at music in context. These films never depict music or musicians as working in isolation; the music makers and their craft is always looked at as a barometer of the larger society. The film begins with a creepy look at the president's marching band and his personal jazz group. Next, a good deal of time is spent on Thai Kick Boxing. There is a surprising relationship between traditional music and the kick boxing sport. Afterwards, Thai Street Theater is explored. The Luk Thung (rural pop) and Thai Sakorn (urban pop) music experience is examined. The director shows live performances by performers in both genres. In conclusion, the "Two Faces of Thailand" proves to be the modern and traditional face of this country. While dated, "Two Faces of Thailand" is a valuable snap shot of Thailand's culture during the early 1980's."