First Image From Pen-Ek's HEADSHOT

Exciting news from the Pen-Ek Ratanaruang camp with word that his return to the noir tinged style where he first made his name is now in production and evidently looking good enough that it's already picked up distribution in France.

Titled Headshot we've got the first still from the picture above and here's the official sales announcement with additional details about the film:

WILD SIDE GOES FOR RATANARUANG'S 'HEADSHOT'

A return to the crime thriller genre by one of Thailand's most acclaimed directors

Bangkok, December 16th 2010 - HEADSHOT, the latest project by renowned Thai director Pen-ek Ratanaruang (6IXTYNIN9, LAST LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE, PLOY), has been acquired by distributor Wild Side for distribution in France. The film is currently in production.

Produced by Local Color Films, whose previous productions include Wisit Sasanatieng's RED EAGLE and the omnibus SAWASDEE BANGKOK, HEADSHOT is a modern film noir adapted from the novel "Fon Tok Kuen Fa" (Rain Falling up the Sky) by award-winning writer Win Leowarin. It stars Thai sensation Cris Horwang, who was the lead actress in 2009's highest-grossing local film BANGKOK TRAFFIC (LOVE) STORY, as well as THE LEGEND OF KING NARESUAN's Nopachai Jayanama. Pawas Sawatchaiyamet and Raymond Phathanavirangoon serve as producers. For more information please visit www.headshotmovie.com.

The deal was brokered between producer Raymond Phathanavirangoon and Wild Side's Manuel Chiche.

"We have always been very attached to Pen-ek's talents and have been waiting for him and his next project for quite some time. The script itself is full of action, humour, and philosophies Pen-ek style - very original," said Wild Side's COO Manuel Chiche.

"Wild Side has always been a great supporter of director Pen-ek's works since INVISIBLE WAVES and PLOY. Manuel was one of the first to read the HEADSHOT screenplay, and we were elated by his immediate and enthusiastic response. As such, we are very pleased to be continuing our relationship with them," commented producer Raymond Phathanavirangoon
 
Synopsis: Tul, a hitman, is shot in the head during one assignment. He wakes up after a two-month coma to find that he sees everything upside down, literally. He tries to quit his job, but the past starts to catch up with him. Then he meets a girl who turns his world even more upside down. Plus, who was trying to kill him in the first place?

From the director of 6IXTYNIN9 and LAST LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE comes a modern film noir about a man trying to forget his past but his past - and karma - won't forget him.

About the Director: Pen-ek Ratanaruang made his debut as a feature film director in 1997 with FUN BAR KARAOKE, a movie that broke the mold of Thai cinema which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival the same year. His second film, the popular 6IXTYNIN9, premiered in the Tiger Competition, International Film Festival Rotterdam in 1999. 2001's MON-RAK TRANSISTOR, yet another festival favorite, was invited to the Director's Fortnight, Cannes Film Festival. He had his biggest success yet with the award-winning LAST LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE (2003), which won lead actor Tadanobu Asano a Best Actor prize at the Venice Film Festival. Ratanaruang then re-teamed with Asano once again in the 2006 Berlin Film Festival competition entry INVISIBLE WAVES. His subsequent works PLOY (2007) and NYMPH (2009) premiered at the Cannes Directors' Fortnight and Cannes Un Certain Regard sections, respectively.

Local Color Films is a Bangkok-based production company whose key goal is to support producers of international films and commercials to utilize the production facilities in Thailand. Founded in 2006, Local Color Films has continued to grow in its expertise, producing award-winning commercials and feature films such as Pen-ek Ratanaruang's NYMPH, Wisit Sasanatieng's RED EAGLE and the omnibus SAWASDEE BANGKOK. With its international standard in production service, Local Color Films has worked with clients from around the world.

Wild Side's upcoming releases include Tsui Hark's DETECTIVE DEE, Nicolas Winding Refn's DRIVE, Jaume Balaguero's SLEEP TIGHT and Na Hong-jin's YELLOW SEA.