Thai studio GDH has teamed with Bad Genius director Baz Poonpiriya to form a production house, BASK.
GDH said that BASK will work alongside U.S.-based producers to “offer a fresh perspective
on Thai and Asian culture for global audiences.”
Through BASK, Poonpiriya will work with GDH to co-develop, co-finance and co-produce projects with U.S.-based studios and producers. Some upcoming collaborators have already been named, including Fast & Furious films director Justin Lin, and Anita Gou from Kindred Spirit (The Farewell).
Partnering with Poonpiriya, top Thai producer Vanridee Pongsittisak will spearhead the joint venture from GDH’s side.
“Not only will we bring a variety of genres and narratives we aim to explore to the world, but we are also committed to empowering voices that have been overlooked but are deeply passionate,” said Vanridee Pongsittisak. “We want to offer them a platform to share their personal yet universally resonant stories on screen.”
Pongsittisak produced Bad Genius, the well received Thai hit from 2017, as well as this year’s box office breakout hit How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies.
Poonpiriya said: “My goal is to be the international voice that speaks louder. With a louder and
authentic voice, it means that I can speak for more people and to more people.”
Following Bad Genius, which was a thriller about the machinations of exam cheating, Poonpiriya went on to direct for Hong Kong-based auteur Wong Kar-Wai on a road trip drama shot in Thailand and New York, One For the Road in 2022. The film won a Special Jury Award in the World Cinema Dramatic competition at the Sundance Film Festival.
