Director Pat Boonnitipat Shares the Bittersweet Symphony in ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’
Thai television and film director Pat Boonitipat discusses the complex family dynamics in his directorial debut feature ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies,’ the future of Thai cinema, and bringing forward the unconditional love and connection we all yearn for.
Thai television and film director Pat Boonnitipat’s directorial debut feature film, "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies," is Thailand's biggest movie of 2024 and has been making waves during its theatrical run in Southeast Asia. A New York Times article titled “Why Southeast Asia is Crying Over This Movie” even reported on the trend that united audiences to document their reaction before and after seeing the movie due to its strong emotional impact.
The Thai drama is a soul-stirring tale of family dynamics and the unspoken secrets they keep. M, an aspiring game caster, played by well-known Thai actor and singer Billkin, trades his streaming dreams for a shot at a multimillion-dollar inheritance from his grandmother after learning she is terminally ill. As M navigates this balance between self-interest and unexpected revelations, he discovers he's not the only one eyeing the fortune. In a race against time and rival relatives, M finds himself going to extreme lengths to win his grandmother's favor—and perhaps learn the value of family along the way.
Now streaming on Netflix across Southeast Asia and opening in North America this week, the film will be available in theaters in many more countries later this year. I hope you get to experience this beautiful film when you can.
In our conversation, Pat shared what it meant to him to see the film resonating with audiences and the power of cinema in bringing people together through stories that mirror and transcend life itself. He also shared how his and his co-writers personal experiences are woven into the screenplay, his philosophy as the director in creating the authentic grandma-grandson relationship, and the reaction of his own grandma and family members at the film’s premiere.
This meaningful journey, filled with tears, laughter, and a million memories, brings hope and strength to the future landscape of Thai cinema and invites more dialogues on how certain dynamics constellate and bring forward the unconditional love and connection we all yearn for with the limited time we have here.
As writer Anthony Brandt once said: "Other things may change us, but we start and end with family."
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Original portrait by Kay Lam.
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