Yahoo Lifestyle Thai Hit Film ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Sets China, North America Theatrical Releases
Distributors in major territories including North America, China, the U.K. and South Korea have unveiled plans for theatrical releases of hit Thai comedy film “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies.”
The film is the highest grossing film this year in its native Thailand and has already been released in parts of Southeast Asia. These include Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Myanmar, Australia, and New Zealand, where it has become the highest-grossing Thai film of all time.
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Rights to the film have been picked up in China by Teamer Media. The company has set an Aug. 23 official release date, but has already earned $380,000 from two days of previews, according to data from Ent Group.
In North America, it has been picked up by Well Go USA, which is cueing up a Sept. 13 outing. “’How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ is an incredibly touching, universal story that transcends cultural and generational differences. The film poignantly captures both the beauty and complexities inherent in familial relationships and serves as an evocative reminder to cherish those around us while we still have time,” said Well Go president and CEO Doris Pfardrescher.
Directed by Pat Boonnitipat the film stars popular Thai artist Putthipong Assaratanakul (aka Billkin) as a slacker who quits his job to become his grandma’s caregiver. It also stars 78-year-old actor Usha Seamkhum in her debut role. Production is by GDH 559, the studio that previously delivered another breakout hit, 2017’s “Bad Genius.”
With rights sales handled by Singapore-based Mokster Films, the film has also been licensed to NK Contents for an October release in Korea, Vedette Film for an Oct. 10 release in The Netherlands and a Nov. 13 release in Belgium, and to Vertigo Releasing for a outing in the U.K. and Ireland in December. It has also been licensed to India’s PVR, though a release date has not yet been settled.
“It’s very heartening to see distributors eager to bring the film to their audiences, even though Southeast Asian films haven’t been commercially proven in some of these territories. Clearly, the story has touched them deeply,” said Nelson Mok, the film’s sales agent at Mokster.
“Never before has a Thai box office hit, outside of international film festivals, been released in the Benelux. But now, for the first time, we’re excited to introduce Dutch and Belgian audiences to this unique and emotional film,” said Babette Wijntjes, co-founder of Vedette Film.
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