NYAFF XXIII Review: In PATTAYA HEAT, A Crackling Thai Crime Thriller That Mostly Cooks
7.5 min read Four films in throughout his career, Eastern Bandits and Blood Of Youth helmer Yang Shupeng’s latest effort transplants him to Thailand for the new flick, Pattaya Heat (a.k.a. All Men Are Brothers). Thai cinemas got a taste of it back in February for its theatrical release, and the film now makes way for attendees at the 23rd New York Asian Film Festival this month for its North American Premiere. A shot overlooking the seedy, neon-lit streets of Pattaya is seen, joined by the V.O. narration of Chai (Thaneth Warakulnukroh), a beat cop waxing poetic over the street’s history, and how he used to be in charge. The years have since whittled away any clout the now-Sergeant once had as a shotcaller with a badge, toiling away at life as a grieving widower with mentally-ill daughter, and a gambling debt that now threatens to erode any means he […]