'King and I' out of favor in Thailand

'King and I' out of favor in Thailand

BANGKOK (DPA): Thailand's film board has recommended a new
20th Century Fox production of Anna and The King not be allowed
to film in Thailand because it could offend the royal family, the
English-language Nation reported Friday.

The Public Relations Department Film Board rejected the
filming request because the film would violate the "lese majeste"
law protecting the royal family, although a board source said
they have not closed all the doors on granting filming
permission.

Hollywood giant 20th Century Fox plans to make a new edition
of the film based on a book English teacher Anna Leonowens wrote
about her experiences at the Royal Siamese court during the reign
of King Mongkut, also known as Rama IV, who was king from 1851-
1868.

Thailand banned the original film The King and I, released in
1956, on the grounds of historical and cultural distortions, and
the film board said the new script is little different from the
original.

Yul Brynner won an Oscar for his portrayal of King Mongkut in
the original film and starred in more than 4,000 stage
performances of the play.

In the new film production Oscar-winner Jodie Foster is
scheduled to play Anna Leonowens and Hong Kong star Chow Yun Fat
has been named for the part of King Mongkut.