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Read the following story by Melalin Mahavongtrakul from the Bangkok Post. Then, answer the questions that follow.
There was a time when nang klang plaeng (outdoor cinema) was huge in Thailand. But it fell away due to the rise of multiplexes and home cinema. Now, however, thanks to cheaper technology, it’s making a comeback.
CLASSIC ENTERTAINMENT
The comeback is surprising in an era when people have easier access to entertainment than ever before. But more and more are rediscovering the magic of outdoor cinema.
There’s more to it than just nostalgia. Outdoor screenings can be found at funerals, ordination ceremonies, kae bon (repaying spirits after a wish is answered), temple fairs or celebrations at Chinese shrines. In the northeast, outdoor film caravans are very busy, with various operators traveling all around the districts, setting up screens to show films - mostly Thai comedies or Chinese action films. The relative convenience of digital technology has contributed to this new-found popularity.
FAMILY FILM
On a grassy lawn outside a temple, 43-year-old Decha Saipat stood on the back of his truck, loading a film reel into his vintage movie projector.
Baan Nong Bua Temple in Suwannaphum district, Roi Et, was having its annual celebration to pay homage to Buddhist relics. During the day, there were mor lam performances. When evening came, it was time for the movie caravans to fire up their projectors. There were five screens from five different operators that day. Decha’s was one of them.
Decha has been operating an outdoor movie caravan for “a long, long time” - he can’t say exactly how many years. He told us his movie projector is over 30 years old.
“I took over my father’s business. He used to screen 16-millimetre and 35-millimetre films back in the day, even lending his voice for live narration. I have a long bond with nang klang plaeng,” he said.
RISE AND FALL
Surin-born filmmaker Sakchai Deenan, who directed the Thai-Lao films Sabai Dee Luang Prabang and From Pakse With Love, recalled how outdoor cinemas survived in Thailand through the years.
“The boom period of outdoor cinemas was in the early ‘80s and even before that. There used to be stand-alone cinemas in several of the big towns, but not in far-out areas. TVs were very expensive at the time. Some houses didn’t even have electricity. So, outdoor cinemas were the only option for some to watch movies,” he said.
BACK IN FASHION
After TVs became more affordable, outdoor cinemas went into decline. This became more pronounced when videos and later DVDs came along.
“The platform of entertainment was always changing,” Sakchai said. “But outdoor cinemas never really disappeared.”
In these past few years, people have migrated online to watch films. They no longer keep hard copies of films. As a result, the outdoor cinema is making a comeback.
Section 1
Read through the story and answer the following multiple-choice questions.
1. What is the article about?
a. A new type of entertainment.
b. The return to popularity of an old medium of entertainment.
c. The rise in popularity of cinema.
2. According to the article, why is outdoor cinema regaining popularity?
a. Outdoor cinemas show new movies on a regular basis.
b. Outdoor cinemas are taking advantage of access to cheaper technology.
c. Nostalgia.
3. Where is Baan Nong Bua Temple located?
a. In Roi Et.
b. In Surin.
c. In Sri Saket.
4. Who directed Sabai Dee Luang Prabang?
a. Sakchai Deenan.
b. Decha Saipat.
c. The story does not say.
5. For how long has Decha been operating his outdoor cinema?
a. About 30 years.
b. Since the ‘80s.
c. The story doesn’t say.
6. Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to the article?
a. Sakchai says the boom in outdoor cinemas began in the early ‘80s.
b. Outdoor cinemas became less popular after the rise of home entertainment.
c. Sakchai is 43 years old.
7. Which of the following statements is NOT true, according to the article?
a. Kae bon is a way of showing that you’re thankful after your wish has come true.
b. Decha took over his father’s business.
c. From Pakse With Love is a Chinese action film.
Section 2
Match each of the following words used in the story with the correct definitions from the choices given.
| 8. lawn | a. a description of events that is spoken during a film or a play |
| 9. projector | b. a place where people come to worship because it is connected with a holy person or event |
| 10.narration | c. a piece of equipment for showing photographs or film on a screen |
| 11. shrine | d. a feeling of sadness mixed with pleasure and affection when you think of happy times in the past |
| 12.nostalgia |
e. an area of ground covered in short grass in a garden or park |
Section 3
Read the following passage. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct words from the choices given.
Sakchai says the business of outdoor cinema will survive …..13….. with the availability of online streaming services. The experience that comes with outdoor cinema …..14….. incomparable. In Roi Et on the evening of the temple’s celebration, friends and families brought mats from home to picnic and party on the lawn as …..15….. watched films …..16….. giant screens. “And since the caravans were …..17….., people got to see movies for free. …..18….. industry is still going, but perhaps not flourishing,” Sakchai said. “The question of whether it’ll be able to sustain itself remains to …..19….. seen.”
13.
a. even if
b. even
c. even though
14.
a. is
b. are
c. has
15.
a. he
b. she
c. they
16.
a. on
b. into
c. underneath
17.
a. hiring
b. hire
c. hired
18.
a. A
b. An
c. The
19.
a. have
b. be
c. will be
Section 4
Write down the noun forms of the following words used in the story.
20. various
……………………
21. long
……………………
22. expensive
……………………
23. contributed
……………………
24. affordable
……………………
Answers
Section 1
1. b.
2. b.
3. a.
4. a.
5. c.
6. b.
7. c.
Section 2
8. e.
9. c.
10. a.
11. b.
12. d.
Section 3
13. b.
14. a.
15. c.
16. a.
17. c.
18. c.
19. b.
Section 4
20. Variety.
21. Length.
22. Expense.
23. Contribution.
24. Affordability.
SCORE
21-24: Excellent!
17-20: Good.
13-16: Fair.
12 or fewer: You'll do better next time!
