August 2, 2005
'VAMPIRE OF SIAM' BOOK TO BE A HOLLYWOOD FILM

Live dangerously, make friends with a vampire.

"The favorite comment I've received about the book was: 'It's the strangest buddy tale I've ever read.'" James (Jim) Newport is a writer and Emmy-nominated production designer of both film and television. His first novel THE VAMPIRE OF SIAM was published in December 2003 by Asia Books. The book's very odd-couple are an extremely wealthy, jaded, young American and a hundred and forty year-old French vampire. They both have something unique to offer and soon are inseparable. Bangkok and its shadow denizens seemed to Newport to be the perfect environment for a vampire.

"One evening, old Bangkok-hand David Jamison and I shared a beer on the roof garden of the Tower Inn. I happened to glance over the edge and was immediately drawn to the stark image of the Xavier cemetery. Its crumbling gravestones and stately mausoleum were set incongruously amidst the towering skyscrapers of Bangkok's financial district – and a stone's throw from Patpong. 'What a marvelous place for a Vampire.' I remarked."

The Vampire's ability to project his thoughts and thus share his memories of old Siam take this vampire tale into unchartered territory. It has resulted in the book rights being optioned for a major feature film by Hollywood producer John Thompson.

"This is the key element that attracted me to the book. Specifically the scene where the Vampire is about to kill Martin (the jaded Expat.) To forestall his death, Martin asks the Vampire how he became one of the undead. Ramonne (the Vampire) proceeds to describe his voyage to Angkor Wat in 1860 with Henri Mohout and his subsequent attack by a 1000 year old Chinese vampire in the temples of Angkor Wat. To Martin's amazement he is transported back in time and is witness to the scene. This is a function of the Vampire's ability to project his thoughts and control his victim's mind. This is so utterly seductive to Martin that he bequeaths his fortune to Ramonne to spare him and show him more. Soon he is experiencing – first-hand – the splendor and glory of ancient Siam."

John Thompson is a film producer with Nu Image/Millenium pictures. He recently produced the $80 million feature film 'Sixteen Block' with Bruce Willis. "This is no ordinary vampire story. I was seduced into this bizarre, sexy, and surreal world that no sane person can resist. We are all vulnerable. This unique tale finds an intelligent, charming and witty vampire who is equally matched by a wordly American expat. Setting the tale in the modern-day 'Bladerunner' city that is twenty-first century Bangkok makes it a natural for the big screen."

Thailand's reputation as a film production center has grown steadily over 30 years, with foreign directors heading East to make hits including 'The Man with the Golden Gun,' 'The Deer Hunter,' 'The Killing Fields,' 'Tomorrow Never Dies' and 'The Beach'.'

In a bid to be the Hollywood of the East, Thailand combines a hi-tech infrastructure with ultra-low labor costs and tax-haven status. "The locations are spectacular." Thompson remarks, having already done a location 'scout' and visit to the major production houses and film laboratories. "The crews are experienced, there's a terrific 'can-do' attitude. You can save a lot of money – which allows you to put more on the screen. The century-old tradition of shooting and wrapping a movie in Hollywood is dying. Costs are shaping a new world order of film making, and Thailand is pushing its way to the forefront."

Nu Image/Millenium has 'The Black Dahlia' (Directed by Brian DePalma,) 'Edison' (Starring Kevin Spacey,) and '88 Minutes' (Starring Al Pacino,) as upcoming releases. Thompson says that the company has put the 'Vampire Of Siam' film on its 'fast track' and casting has already begun in the U.S.

Newport's film credits as a production designer include the 20th Century Fox feature 'Brokedown Palace' which was set in Bangkok and starred Claire Danes and Kate Beckinsale. "Unfortunately, we were not allowed to shoot in Thailand and we had to recreate the city in Manila. The script had been presented to the film board and they denied the permit. It was very sad, as the story in no way reflected Thailand in a bad light. The girls were victims of evil individuals – it was a tale of treachery and deceit that could have happened anywhere. It would have been wonderful to have been able to use the real locations. Instead we spent 2 million dollars constructing sets in the Philippines."

So join Ramonne, the vampire, in a glass of his favorite beverage (you'll be surprised to know that its actually a slightly chilled Lafitte Rothschild) and drink a toast to John Thompson and Jim Newport as they progress in their task of bringing 'The Vampire Of Siam' to the big screen. They join an elite group of film professionals from around the world that are helping Thailand become a major player in the global film market.