Belkin talks Oscars shortlist on ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ in Thailand, UK releases and entrepreneurial goals
How to make millions before grandma dies The film secured a historic spot on the Oscars shortlist for Best International Feature Film this week, becoming the first Thai film ever to make the December list.
Thailand has submitted 24 films to the International Academy Awards so far, since 1984, but the country has never scored a nomination or place on the shortlist before. How to make millions before grandma diesIt is the first feature film by director Pat Ponipatti.
The film’s star, actor-musician Belkin, first heard about the milestone through Thai media on Tuesday.
“I’m a little surprised because it’s the first Thai film to have this opportunity,” Belkin told Deadline. “At the beginning of this project, I never dreamed we would get this far.”
Intergenerational family drama How to make millions before grandma dies It was Belkin’s first leading role in a film, making only a guest appearance in the 2019 film Sunnah brotheralthough he has starred in several television series, including the two-part coming-of-age series I told Sunset about you and I promised you the moon.
“Before this movie, I really wanted a new acting project, because I had been away for a while,” Belkin said. “But I think about projects in a lot of detail, because I have to spend a lot of time on them, and it has to be a project that really pushes me in my mental and physical aspects. When director Pat invited me to join this and told me about the story and how we would work through the project, that really got me excited .
“I felt like I saw a part of myself in this project, in terms of the character, the background, and the message that the film is trying to get across,” Belkin said.
Produced by Thai studio GDH, How to make millions before grandma dies It follows a young man, M (played by Billkin), who moves in with his terminally ill grandmother (played by Usha Seamkhum), and takes care of her in an attempt to win her inheritance. In the movie, M’s family is Thai-Chinese.
“I had some influence, being from a Chinese-Thai family as well, so I understand some of the cultural context of the film, but of course, there are some things that are far from my real life, so I did a lot of workshop to prepare for the film, like going to the same The neighborhood where the movie was shot.” “Also, I had to explore with my grandparents some aspects that I should know before moving on to the movie. The hardest thing about this film is that the acting had to be very natural and I had to learn to make myself very comfortable with every situation I encounter during the filming process.
The film was a commercial success and critical acclaim, with a global box office gross of over $50 million. How to make millions before grandma dies It also topped the domestic box office, grossing more than 334 million Thai baht ($9.1 million).
How to make millions before grandma dies It will open in the UK and Ireland on December 26, under distributor Vertigo Releasing. This release is of particular interest to Belkin, who is currently pursuing a graduate degree in entrepreneurship at University College London.
Regarding his decision to move to London this fall to pursue the course, Belkin said: “Over the past few years, I have done a lot of things and gained a lot of experience in many aspects of my career. As with acting, I did this film. With music, I just did my own concert last year, as well as touring. I wanted to take a break and follow my dreams in another part of my life, the business part that was inspired by my family. I thought this was the right time to study abroad because I felt like it was the last chance to do so, the older I got, the more difficult it would be.
Billkin has taken a very hands-on approach to his career, managing most of his work through his own company, Billkin Entertainment. “I take care of all my music and everything,” Belkin said. “I also have some other projects that are not related to the entertainment industry. I have some plans for that.”
Belkin praised director Ponitipat, who had previously directed three series including it Bad genius. “It was a new experience for me and the way we worked during this project was a little different than other projects I’ve done before. Pat has given me a lot of freedom during our time working together. He’s really open and values every contribution I’ve made. I’ve learned a lot from working that way.”
The film was sold in over 110 territories, with Mokster Films handling sales. Upcoming releases also include Sweden and Spain in January 2025, as well as several US screenings at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Regarding the film’s resonance among global audiences, Belkin said: “I am still amazed and excited. The film is in Thai and the context of everything in the film is based on Thai culture, but the thing we have presented can break down language barriers as well as cultural barriers. It can reach the hearts of audiences in many places. “Every time I visit other countries where the film goes, I always receive a lot of new reactions in a positive way, and this has inspired me as well,” Belkin added.
Belkin said he has new music coming out next year, although things are a bit uncertain on the acting side, other than his casting in the Thai remake of the hit Taiwanese film. Marrying my dead bodywhich will also be produced by GDH.
“For the music part, I have a plan to release my songs regularly, but for the acting part, it is very difficult to plan what projects will come because there are always many parties involved in making one film,” Belkin said. . “As an actor, I’m just a small part of the movie, so we have to find the right director, the right team, the right story that we’re all interested in and can work together. Through acting, I just took every opportunity and project that came along that excited me in some way.