The Overture (โหมโรง)

Inspired by the life of Luang Pradit Phairoh

Names, characters, places and incidents

are the work of imagination.

Tew.

Master...

We've been friends far too long for formalities.

Sorn, I'm counting on you to get well soon. I want to hear you play the ranad again.

Don't worry about me, old friend.

Just promise that you'll never let our music fade away.

Tew, where's Sorn?

I didn't do it...

Sorn!

Trying to steal my spot at the ranad ek?

I got you!

- You were great, little brother! - Let me go!

- I'll see you at the competition. - Let me go!

Where did he learn to play like that?

Sorn, mind the steps!

You naughty boy!

Tew!

Tew!

Aren't you coming to my house for the competition?

No, but look over there. I made you something for good luck.

You should have studied music with me.

Oh, no. I couldn't stand the pain.

Remember last time I played the cymbals with you?

My fingers are still sore!

Music needs players and listeners.

I'm a better listener.

But you're natural at the ranad, just like your brother.

If you ever hit a note out of tune, I'll be the first to hear it.

A lot of people have come out for this year's festival.

I'll get Master Sin.

Master Sin! Come quickly.

What's going on?

What's all this commotion?

Oh, Suwan!

Who did this to you?

Sin, who did this to our son?

- Yim... - Open your eyes! Talk to me!

He was attacked in the orchard.

I found him too late.

It must have been those punks he beat in the ranad competition.

Sorn, Sorn... my son.

Your brother is dead!

I made it for you to practice with, if you're still in the mood to play.

My father won't let me.

I want so much to be a musician...

Tew... I need your help.

I must be nuts, letting you bring me out here.

It's the only way. If Father hears me playing, he'll kill me.

All right. But make it quick.

Make it loud, too. This place gives me the creeps.

Suwan has been gone for months. Yet still I see you consumed with grief.

You know, it wasn't music that killed your son.

He was killed by people who'll never know the true value of music.

Sorn is as promising a musician as his brother, isn't he?

It's better to bend than break.

Suwan is gone, but that's no reason to let Sorn's gifts go to waste.

Is that you, Tew?

Who's there? Tew? Cut it out!

Is this what you've chosen to be? A little thief?

Father... I...

How dare you disobey my orders?

I'm sorry, Father.

Put the ranad back in its place. And don't let me catch you playing it again,

not until you pay the proper respects to your new teachers.

Sorn, you must promise me that you'll lead a moral life

and that you will never use music for immoral purposes.

Promise me that you'll never harm others to win fame.

From now on, you must regard music as divinity itself.

Music will reveal to you that which is otherwise hidden from sight.

It will guide you as you travel the untraveled path.

Follow it, and you will taste the sweetest ambrosia.

Come on, it'll be a great time! Our first regional competition.

We've got nothing to worry about.

Sorn will have them in his pocket in no time.

Don't be so sure.

If those musicians from Ratchaburi weren't ready, they wouldn't have come.

Are we ready? Let's start.

But, master, Sorn's not here yet.

We're not waiting for him. Go ahead.

- Chum? - Yes?

Take his place.

The 7th key.

What did I tell you?

Settle up, please. Settle your bets.

Take heart, fellas, we're always ready for another wager.

Just let another note ring out loud and clear.

All right.

Hey, that's not fair. You can't hit two at once!

Who can hear them if you don't hit them one at a time?

- You didn't say a thing when you took our bets. - Losers can't complain!

Trying to cheat us, eh?

Where's my money?

Big talkers...

The 7th and 16th keys!

Well! Listen to that!

My bag, please.

Sorn, let's go.

Shit!

Who do you think you are?

You ignore practice and keep us waiting!

Oh, Father. One missed practice isn't such a big deal.

Besides, I can play the ranad ek blindfolded.

In Ratchaburi, Chum will play the ranad ek.

What about me?

If you can play the ranad blindfolded,

playing the khong wong with your eyes open shouldn't be a problem.

Right?

Take your seat.

We'll be starting very soon. How are you?

Ah, Master Sin. Thank you for coming today.

I'm looking forward to hearing your famous ensemble.

- Excuse me. - Yes, sir?

- If everything's ready, let's begin. - Yes, sir.

I've been looking forward to hear you play.

Give it all you've got, my boy.

Somehow, I thought you'd be much younger.

Yok is more than ready, sir.

Look at the power in his wrists.

Sorn, you should take my place.

Go tell your father I'm not ready.

You can say that again.

Excellent! Excellent!

So, what do you think of my ranad ek player?

Are you sure you want to continue? You look a bit stunned.

Don't let me hold you back. Please begin!

Move your bloody hands! What are you waiting for?

Sir, that's not him.

That's their ranad ek man back there, playing the khong wong.

Stop! Stop!

What's going on here, Master Sin?

I invited your ensemble to travel all this way

so that we could hear this promising young man named Sorn.

Why aren't you letting him play the ranad?

Have you already decided we're not in your league?

Not at all, sir.

Then let's see what the best of your bunch can do.

Win or lose, I want you to give it all you've got.

Yes, sir.

Are you sure this is the guy?

Positive, sir.

Sorn, it's good to see so many of your students here today.

What about the food and drinks? Can you handle it all?

Of course. I've got all the help I need.

Here you are, Piak.

Thanks.

Excuse me, is this Master Sorn's house?

How is your father, Terd?

He's fine, sir. He loaded me down with things for you.

Thank you.

You want to be a musician. What instrument do you play?

Cymbals, sir.

Don't you tell me you learned that from your old man!

Let's hope you're not a chip off the old block!

You should join the ensemble out there.

Piak...

Help him with his things, then bring him to see me outside.

- Right away, master. - Make it quick.

- Yes, sir. Terd, let's go outside. - All right.

- Hi, Cham. - Good afternoon, master.

Good afternoon.

- How are you, master? - Very well, thanks.

The ensemble's raring to go today.

Hurry up, Terd.

Coming.

Try to make that jump from the first ranad to the second a bit smoother.

Well done.

It's the supple movement of your wrists that counts.

Thai musical instruments are simplicity themselves.

Yet the more simple the instrument appears, the more subtle our techniques must be.

Concentration must be your top priority...

Who's making all that noise?

Terd, see what it's all about.

Push it up against the wall.

Okay. Thank you.

Oh, Terd, there you are.

Please put the bench in front of the piano for me.

I'll go pay the movers.

It's the piano from Austria, Dad.

It's used, but still in excellent condition.

Play something for me.

I haven't had a chance to re-tune it yet.

That's all right.

Wait...

Hold it.

Okay, try it again.

So here you are.

What's wrong with you?

I've got a terrible stomachache.

And the runs, too. Am I right?

And how.

I've had them since this morning.

Liar!

You're too scared to play, aren't you?

Well, if you're not going to play,

then pack your stuff and get out now!

How's your stomach feel now?

Move your ass, you chicken!