As part of cable channel Thrill's Asian Fear Fest 2013, popular Asian films like Don't Click, Patient X and Meat Grinder will be shown in this month-long festival, horror fans are bound to enjoy.
The 2009 Thai horror film Meat Grinder sees actress-singer Mai Charoenpura who plays Buss, a noodle stall owner who uses human flesh as the main ingredient. As her mental state breaks down, more people are ending up on her chopping block or hanging up on meat hooks in her basement.
InCinemas was able to grab an email interview with the 44-year-old actress on her challenges and filming process. She was even nominated for the Best Actress Award at the 2010 Thailand National Film Association Awards.
Asian Fear Fest 2013 Premieres First & Exclusively from Friday,
October 4, till Saturday, October 26, every Friday and Saturday at 9PM
on Thrill (StarHub Cable TV Channel 618 and SingTel mioTV Channel 415)
InCinemas: Hi Mai Charoenpura, could you tell us more about your character in Meat Grinder?
Mai Charoenpura: In the story, I play a devastated psychopath who was raised by a mother who killed people and made them into meatballs for her noodle restaurant. My stepfather and stepbrother also raped me. It’s really kind of miserable. It’s a tragedy. My character never feels lively and never knows what sunshine is. She just lives without feeling.
InCinemas: You have starred in a couple of Thai horror films. Are you a fan of horror movies and what attracts you to these projects?
Mai Charoenpura: This is my second horror movie. The first one I starred in was with Ananda Everingham and it was called The Memory. I was honoured and proud that Thai film director, Tiwa Moeithaisong, handed the script to me. I think it was very challenging but I got to gain new experiences by working with all the crew in this film.
InCinemas: What were some of the challenges filming Meat Grinder?
Mai Charoenpura: After I received the script and read through it, I suddenly accepted the role because I found it to be very challenging. This role was not easy because I had to kill people for food. I had to read the script, try to believe it, and get inside the character as much as I could. The script was handed to me from the director and producer and because they trusted that I could do it, I just had to put my mind to it and feel it.
The script was one of the main challenges for me. My character had to physically and mentally fight with her stepfather and stepbrother, and I had to push myself into a big jar, get my head immersed in the water and was raped at the same time. There were many scenes where I had to act heartbroken and as if I felt like it was the end of the world for me. Another difficult part was the underwater scene. I had to stay in the water for almost 10 hours a day.
(View full schedule of Thrill's Asian Fear Fest 2013!)
InCinemas: Has your view of noodles changed after filming Meat Grinder?
Mai Charoenpura: The meat changed. I stopped eating meat, not because of the movie, but because I’m a Buddhist. Other than that, I do take pork, chicken, seafood but I stop once in a while cause I don’t feel good eating it.
InCinemas: Do you see any similarities between yourself and your character, Buss?
Mai Charoenpura: I’m a strong-hearted person. Sometimes, women might be soft and fragile inside, but we have to portray ourselves as being very strong. As in the movie, the character I play has no choice but to live so she just has to do it.
InCinemas: Meat Grinder will be showing in Singapore as part of Asian Fear Fest 2013. What can fans expect from it?
Horror fans will love the bloody scenes and the screenplay. I am sure that they will be impressed with the acting performance in the movie, and in particular, the spectacular production from the Thai team. I’m happy that this movie will be brought to Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Hong Kong and the fans can get to see my work. I really hope the audience won’t have nightmares after watching this movie.
InCinemas: What are you working on and where can we see you next?
I have a big project that is coming up with Bird Thongchai, superstar and singer in Thailand, my own concert in June and musical theater at the end of the year.
Catch Mai Charoenpura 'chopping' her way in Meat Grinder, airing 26 October, 9pm on Thrill (StarHub Cable TV Channel 618 and SingTel mioTV Channel 415) .