‘Bad Genius’ Director Baz Poonpirya Launches BASK Venture With Thailand’s ‘Grandma’ Studio GDH

As a fervent supporter of the dynamic duo, Nattawut ‘Baz’ Poonpiriya and Vanridee Pongsittisak, I am thrilled to witness their latest venture, BASK, taking shape in the vibrant world of Asian cinema. Having made waves with “Bad Genius” and leaving an indelible mark on global audiences with his unique storytelling and authentic voice, Poonpiriya’s ambition to amplify these voices resonates deeply with me.


Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya, the acclaimed director behind the 2017 pan-Asian success “Bad Genius,” has teamed up with Thailand’s premier film studio GDH559 to establish a new production company named BASK.

At present, GDH, a subsidiary of GMM Group, is experiencing great success in Southeast Asia with the comedy-drama “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies.” This film has shattered box office records in countries like Singapore, Vietnam, and The Philippines. Recently, GDH announced an impressive lineup of upcoming productions and releases for the next year.

With Vanridee Pongsittisak, the GDH producer, leading the way, BASK intends to collaborate with prominent American producers to present a unique viewpoint on Thai and Asian culture to international viewers.

“Poonpiriya expressed her ambition to become a powerful and genuine international spokesperson. By having a stronger and more impactful voice, she would be able to represent the views of a larger number of individuals and reach out to a broader audience.”

Pongsittisak expressed: “We not only plan to present diverse genres and storylines to the global audience, but we are also dedicated to giving a voice to those whose passion burns strongly yet have been overlooked. We aim to provide them with a screen to express their relatable and universally appealing stories.”

In collaboration with U.S. studios and producers like Anita Gou of Kindred Spirit (“The Farewell”) and Justin Lin from the “Fast & Furious” franchise, our new venture will develop, finance, and produce projects. Additionally, we will engage in international partnerships for films, participate in film festivals, explore online platforms, and delve into interactive media.

After the acclaimed release of “Bad Genius,” a thriller focusing on intricate exam cheating schemes, Poonpiriya took on new projects. In 2022, he helmed “One for the Road,” a road trip drama filmed in Thailand and New York, which received the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award at Sundance. Additionally, that year, Poonpiriya directed two episodes of the Netflix series “Thai Cave Rescue.” Furthermore, he is involved with Stars Collective, a talent development program supported by China and Los Angeles-based Starlight Media.

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2024-07-20 05:16