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A film by Pimpaka Towira, an Extra Virgin production

Documentary, 105 minutes, Digital, Colour, Stereo
In Thai with English subtitles, 2007

Synopsis:

A chronicle of the crucial moment in the life of Supinya Klangnarong, a Thai media activist and Secretary-General of the Campaign for Popular Media Reform (CPMR), in her fight against the 2003 defamation charges from Shin Corporation, the telecommunication giant owned at the time by the family of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The case was filed against her and the daily newspaper Thai Post following her published article which suggests a conflict of interest due to the government’s beneficiary policies for the corporation. As a result, she faced both criminal and civil libel suits, threatening for 400 million Baht (11 million USD) and imprisonment.

Although the charges were later dropped in March 2006, this vicious lawsuit that had been haunting her life through this 3-year period has become a part of her, as well as serving as a political instrument over the course of the time. Does this victory of hers spark hope for the rest of us, that the freedom of speech may just help bringing about a change in the Thai society and politics?

Or is it just in our thought that it can change?

Produced and conceived by:     Pimpaka Towira
Cinematographers:                    Nitivat Cholvanichsiri, Uruphong Raksasad,
                                                       Oraporn Laksanakorn, Pattana Chirawong
Production Manager:                  Panita Ruengdej
Editor:                                            Pimpaka Towira
Sound:                                           Patarapool Wimolsilapin
Sound Mixing:                              Sirote Tulsook
Colourist:                                      Guy Vajropala
Post-Production Support by:     The Post Bangkok, Cinematic Studio
 

Production/ Distribution/ International Sales: Extra Virgin 

Releases:

Thai Theatrical Release Date:   29 May 2008, Bangkok
                                                          As part of the Director's Screen project

Home Video:                                  Available on DVD, click here for more information

THE TRUTH BE TOLD was produced independently through private investments. The production took place over the course of two and a half years following the lawsuit and its consequences – on Supinya personally as well as on the Thai media and social movements. At the same time, Thailand’s political landscape was also going through radical changes, culminating in the 2006 coup d’état and its aftermath.