Title | MOVIES BY THE BLIND |
Brand | FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND IN THAILAND UNDER THE ROYAL PATRONAGE OF H.M. THE QUEEN |
Product / Service | FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND IN THAILAND UNDER THE ROYAL PATRONAGE OF H.M. THE QUEEN |
Category | A02. Non-Fiction: series or film |
Entrant | STARCOM MEDIAVEST GROUP Bangkok, THAILAND |
Media Agency | STARCOM MEDIAVEST GROUP Bangkok, THAILAND |
Entrant Company | STARCOM MEDIAVEST GROUP Bangkok, THAILAND |
Media Agency 2 | STARCOM MEDIAVEST GROUP Bangkok, THAILAND |
Production Company | BRAIN RANGER Bangkok, THAILAND |
Name | Company | Position |
---|---|---|
Narongchai Pratumsuwan | Starcom Mediavest | Experience Designer |
Kanokrat Bovorn | Liquid Thread | Director |
Rangsan Rattananit | Starcom Mediavest | Executive Director |
Charlee Nipapan | Brain Ranger | Director |
Thailand’s Siam Paragon is the most Instagrammed location in the world. As the central hub to Thailand’s modern culture, shopping and entertainment, we needed to work with the Foundation for the Blind to make it the central focal point for people to understand their plight. With even a small budget, we can make substantial impact not only in the country, but also in the world if we can create content that resonates here.
There are over 150,000 blind people in Thailand, many of whom make less than minimum wage. Sadly, they are discarded in Thai society and deemed someone else’s problem. We wanted to make people stop and realize that the blind can live not just ordinary, but extraordinary, lives. These people may be physically blind, but perhaps the rest of us are the ones who are spiritually blind to their situation... We created three, 13-minute films based on the true-life stories of three blind auteurs. Shown at the world-famous Siam Paragon cinema, each told a beautiful tale of what it was like to live life blind. The story of a man who became blind at 13; his life restless until he found love – an emotional story of stumbling in the dark to chase after the woman he knew he was meant to be with… A girl seeking advice about living with her blind boyfriend, learning how to use her elbow to lead him, but they soon realize the best way to experience life was to never let go of each other’s hands... And one very talented boy who wanted to be a radio announcer, his enthusiasm leading the audience into his imagination. The campaign helped raise more than 1 million and demand for seats was so high that over 500 people attended the premiere, with some having to sit in the aisles. Many laughed. Many cried. They all forgot that they were watching movies created by the blind.
We would promote our content like it were a regular movie. We wanted our content to feel like an entertainment event, with an opening night premiere backed up by posters, movie listings and social network strategies that would help people realize that this would not be just another fundraiser, but an entertainment event that would open people’s eyes to those who are blind.
The campaign helped raise more than 1 million Baht to help blind people keep living and continuing to tell their stories. Demand for seats was so high that over 500 people attended the premiere, with some having to sit in the aisles. Many laughed. Many cried. They all forgot that they were watching movies created by the blind. The top news show in Thailand covered the event with almost 20 minutes of airtime, generating 86 million impressions. So that even though they’ve never seen the world, the world might one day start to see them.