Mitr Chaibancha Instagram Wall (2021-03-25) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
One life, endless memories
"Mitr-Mythology" is an onsite/online exhibition chronicling the eventful life and spectacular career of Mitr Chaibancha, Thailand's beloved actor who was active during the 16mm film era that began in the late 1950s, before his tragic death in 1970 brought an end to it all.
Mitr young (2020-10-08) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
His name was Boonting Raweesaeng
The man who was later known as Mitr Chaibancha was born in Petchaburi province in 1934. After his parents separated, he was entrusted with a monk at a local temple who named the boy Boonting Raweesaeng -- the first name meaning "the blessed and abandoned".
His name was Supit Nilsrithong
Boonting later moved to live with his mother in Bangkok, where he changed his name to Supit Nilsrithong. The new family name, taken after his uncle-in-law, was adopted so he could qualify for a school grant.
Mitr airforce (2020-10-08) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
His name was Pichet Poomhem
After finishing high-school, he joined the air cadet academy in Don Mueng and again changed his family name Poomhem, after his mother's new husband. In 1957, he changed his first name to Pichet.
Mitr's Portrait (2020-10-08) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
His name is Mitr Chaibancha
In 1957, he appeared as the leading man in his first film "Chart Sua" (The Tiger). A showbiz columnist decided to christen him with a new name, and from then on "Mitr Chaibancha" would be emblazoned across the theatre marquee.
"Chart Suer" poster (1957) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
Chart Sua
A tall, muscular, well-built man with a chiseled, fine-boned face, Mitr instantly assumed the status of screen-god after appearing in "Chart Sua". He rose to become Thailand's number-one star in just a few years.
"The Criminal without Sin" (1949) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
Mitr and the 16mm film era
The period after WWII saw the boom of Thai cinema, with 60-80 films being released every year. Nearly all of them were made on 16mm film with no sound and required live dubbing at every projection. Mitr's persona and fame was one of the reasons that ushered in this Golden Age.
Queen theater (2020-10-08) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
When the marquee was bright
In the late 1950s to early 1960s, Thai films competed to draw attention of movie-goers through brightly-painted posters, magazine ads, and giant billboards splashed above the neon-lit marquees of palatial, stand-alone cinemas.
Mitr-Petchara (2020-10-08) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
Mitr-Petchara: Thailand's much-loved screen duo
In 1961, Mitr starred together with a fresh-faced young actress, Petchara Chaowarat, in "Diary of Pimchawee". In the following years and dozens of movies later, Mitr and Petchara would become Thailand's best-loved screen duo whose names signified Thai cinema's glorious decade.
Mitr's girl (2020-10-08) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
Mitr's leading ladies
Mitr was seen together with Petchara in so many films that people often overlooked the fact that he also starred opposite many other well-known actresses of his generation.
(From left to right) Raywadee Sriwilai - Amara Asavanont - Ketsarin Patamawan
(From left to right) : Ratanaphond Indrakamhaeng - Pavana Chanajit - Busra Naruemit - Pisamai Wilaisak - Orasa Israngkul Na Ayudhya
Actress in 60s (1960) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
(Seen clockwise): Raywadee Sriwilai, Amara Asavanont, Petchara Chaowarat, Pisamai Wilaisak, Pavana Chanajit, and Busra Naruemit.
Mitr Chaibancha and Pisamai Wilaisak in "Chai Chatree" (1964).
Wall of Mitr's poster (2020-10-08) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
The Posters
Mitr starred in over 200 films between 1957-1970. These are some of the movie posters in which he appeared. They were hand-painted in a vintage Thai film-poster style, with a kaleidoscopic riot of color that never failed to catch the audience's attention.
Some of Mitr's best-known films are shown here. This poster is from "Operation Bangkok".
Operation Bangkok poster (1970) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
"Petch Tad Petch", or Operation Bangkok.
Wall of Mitr's poster (2020-10-08) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
"EeeTan" starring Mitr and Aranya Namwong.
Eee Tan poster (1968) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
"EeeTan"
Wall of Mitr's poster (2020-10-08) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
"Nua Klao", a star-studded film with Mirt and Petchara in the lead.
"Insee Thong" (Golden Eagle), Mitr's last film, is seen here.
Golden Eagle poster (1970) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
"Insee Thong" (Golden Eagle), Mitr's last film, is seen here.
Wall of Mitr's poster (2020-10-08) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
"Rai Kor Rak" (smaller poster in the middle).
"The End of Red Eagle", one of Mitr's most popular action films.
"The Warrior and the Sacred Sword" stars Mitr as a Chinese warrior.
Almost all of Mitr's films were made on 16mm film with no sound. At every projection, professional live dubbers spoke the lines and produced foley effects in a booth set at the back of the cinema. This video records a recent simulation of a live-dubbing projection.
Mitr's appeal is manifest through a sublime combination of gesture, suave body movement and facial expression. Watch some of them here.
Mitr's dream (2020-10-08) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
Mitr's dreams
Mitr Chaibancha was the most popular actor of his time, but he also harbored many other dreams that kept running into obstacles.
"Black Garuda" vs "Black Hawk"
Mitr always wanted to direct a film. His first directorial effort, "Black Garuda", ran into a problem with the censors because the word "Garuda" was deemed exclusive to government use. He finished the film and had to call it "Black Hawk".
Mitr as representitive "Youth group party" (1968) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
Representing the people
Mitr dreamt of serving the public as a municipal representative. He ran in two local elections, sold off some of his assets to fund the campaign, only to be defeated twice.
Chaibuncha Cinema (1960) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
Theater of Dream
Mitr dreamt of building a grand cinema that would only show Thai movies. He bought a plot of land near Pan Fah Bridge but never got a chance to actually build the cinema of his dream.
Mitr booklet (2020-08-10) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
When the light went out
All of a sudden, everything ended. The brightest star in Thai cinema went off in a shocking, heartbreaking incident. Mitr Chaibancha's tragic death shook the entire nation and the Thai film community like nothing had ever done before.
Mitr and Helicopter (2020-10-08) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
October 8, 1970
On the morning of October 8, 1970, Mitr Chaibancha fell from the ladder of a helicopter while shooting a scene in "Insee Thong" (Golden Eagle) in Pattaya. It's believed that Mitr's back-to-back shooting schedule and lack of proper rest period contributed to the accident.
Golden Eagle poster (1970) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
The end of the 16mm Era
Mitr's death at the age of 36 was a major turning point in the Thai film industry. His departure brought an end to the 16mm era that had defined Thai cinema since after WWII.
The death that made him immortal
Mitr's funeral rites were filmed, edited and released in cinemas. The news of his death, its aftermath and surrounding context, were reported in Thai and English-language newspapers for months.
The news of Mitr's shocking death was a phenomenon that rivaled the opening night of his films. On the evening of October 8, thousands poured into Wat Kae, a temple in Nang Loeng, where his body was taken for religious rites.
Mitr's death was a heartbreaking episode, a brutally dramatic departure of a man whose life had been defined by on-screen drama. But Mit's death was also interpreted as a rebirth of the audience's memories of this beloved actor who was synonymous with the Golden Age of Thai cinema.
Mitr in memories (2020-08-10) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
Life after death
Mitr had inspired such intense faith from his fans that persisted even after his death. Believers and devotees have elevated him to the status of a deity, and Shrine of Mitr still appears in many provinces around the country today.
Mitr's Shrine (2020-10-08) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
Mitr's Shrine at Wat Ta Kratiam, in Ta Yang district, his hometown.
Though Mitr has gone for over half a century, our memories of this legendary Thai actor still remains.
Death of Mitr Chaibuncha (2020-10-08) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
Mitr-Mythology
Thai Film Archive marks the 50th anniversary of Mitr Chaibancha's death with the exhibition "Mitr-Mythology" at Sanbhasatra Building and puts together this complementary online exhibition on Google Arts and Culture.
Thai Film Archive (Public Organization)
