After he was talent-spotted a decade ago by GMM Grammy, one of Thailand's top entertainment companies, Ananda Everingham started to act in TV and features
when he was just 15.

Film has become his focus since 2004's horror hit Shutter made him a household name. Determined to show his versatility, the good-looking actor has taken on a range of different roles.

His films vary widely in theme and scale, ranging from romance and horror to independent art films and epics.

His recent roles include playing a gay man who falls in love with a woman after losing his memory in the romantic drama Me Myself, a male prostitute in Santi Taepanich's low-budget digital film Bangkok Time and a sea gypsy in the upcoming release of big-budget period adventure Queens Of Pattani, directed by Nonzee Nimibutr.

Everingham has also appeared in Pen-ek Ratanaruang's Ploy and Ekachai Uekrongtham's Pleasure Factory, both of which premiered in Cannes this year.
'Acting is an art form that requires study,' he says.

'It's exciting that there's no end to the study of characters and no one person can know all of the characters in the world.'

Everingham has ambitions to be a top actor in Thailand and beyond. 'Korean and Chinese actors have been doing a very good job of breaking into the foreign markets, while Thailand and many countries in South East Asia have a lot of catching up to do,' he says.

Born in Thailand of Australian-Laotian parentage he is fluent in English, which makes him ideal for international work. 'I'm proud to be representing Thailand at Star Summit Asia, where I can meet new people,' says Everingham, who is also thinking of stepping into writing and directing.

'If future co-productions are possible then so be it. I'm keen to try anything new.'

Directors he admires include Ingmar Bergman, Alfred Hitchcock, Gus Van Sant, Michel Gondry, Lee Chang-dong, David Cronenberg as well as Thai filmmakers Wisit Sasanatieng and Pen-ek Ratanaruang.

SILVIA WONG

Contact: halo@culturebase.org

SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY

Bangkok Time (2007)
Dir: Santi Taepanich
Ploy (2007)
Dir: Pen-ek Ratanaruang
Pleasure Factory (2007)
Dir: Ekachai Uekrongtham
Me... Myself (2007)
Dir: Pongpat Wachirabunjong
Shutter (2004)
Dirs: Banjong Pisanthanakun / Parkpoom Wongpoom
Ghost Delivery (2003)
Dir: Tiwa Moeithaisong
Anda Kub Fahsai (1998)
Dir: Bhandewanop Dewakul
303 Fear Faith Revenge (1998)
Dir: Somching Srisupap

UPCOMING PROJECTS

The Leap Years (due 2007)
Dir: Jean Yeo, Philip Stamp
Queens Of Pattani (due 2008)
Dir: Nonzee Nimibutr
The Coffin (in pre-production)
Dir: Ekachai Uekrongtham