HIP: SCREENING OF LIFE

(Article from HIP Magazine, Vol.07 No.75, January 2011)

After speaking with this twenty-one-year-old young man, you would likely come to the same conclusion we did — Rambo, Nipan Chawcharernpon possesses a level of maturity far beyond his age. Perhaps this comes from the responsibilities he has carried since he was very young, working as a film editor for CBN Siam, a Christian television media organization. At the same time, he is also the son of the Chaocharoenporn family, founders of Baan Saeng Thai Darun Foundation, an orphanage dedicated to supporting underprivileged Hmong hill tribe children by providing shelter, food, education, love, and care until they are able to stand on their own.

Beyond his work with CBN Siam, Rambo explained that he also carries another responsibility close to his heart — helping care for the children at Baan Saeng Thai Darun Foundation, which has now grown into a large family with 45 children under its care. One of his primary roles is helping promote awareness of the foundation in order to raise support for the children. His chosen method was simple: to do what he loved most — making short films.

“The lives of underprivileged children are part of the reality of this world,” he said. “Many people know that orphaned or homeless children exist, but they may not truly realize how difficult their lives really are. What I try to communicate through my films is to make people aware that there are still children who do not even have enough food to eat, clothes to wear, or opportunities like the rest of us. It’s like another hidden corner of society that many people never get to see.”

“When my parents first started the children’s home, I often helped out and spent time talking with the children. It was heartbreaking. I kept wondering why their lives only seemed to get harder and harder. That became the inspiration behind my desire to make films. I wanted my work to have meaning — so that when people watched my films, they would understand the lives of these children and maybe even help change someone’s future. If a child can grow up to become someone valuable in society because of that help, then I’m already happy.”

Although he never formally studied filmmaking, Rambo taught himself editing software at the age of fifteen. He began by filming simple videos with a handycam camera, and that passion gradually evolved into something much bigger, especially after receiving the opportunity to continue his studies in the United States.

“I’ve always loved movies,” he explained. “My parents were singers at church, recording Christian songs onto cassette tapes to sell. Sometimes they would make music videos too, but hiring editors was expensive, so they encouraged me to learn editing myself. That’s where it all started. Later, when I went to America, I began making short films with friends just for fun. For my graduation project, I made a short film that people really liked, and from there I started to feel that maybe I could seriously pursue this path.”

“After returning to Thailand and becoming more involved with the children’s home again, I felt a stronger desire to create meaningful work. My father encouraged me to try making a film to promote the orphanage, and that became ‘Amazing Grace.’ The response was very positive — some people even volunteered after watching it. That was when I realized filmmaking could truly have value. I didn’t want my films to be just entertaining stories people watch and forget. At the very least, I hoped they could spark something in someone’s heart and make them realize that these stories and these lives are real.”

“For me, film is another form of media that can touch people’s hearts and even change lives, much like books, advertisements, or dramas that deeply resonate with audiences. But films allow more time to develop meaning and communicate ideas. When a film is finally completed and people experience it, that’s when it can truly touch the human spirit. And that, to me, is worth far more than money. Making films doesn’t require billions of dollars — it simply needs to bring value into people’s lives. That is more meaningful than any amount of wealth.”

Topic: People

TEXT: SARANYA

PIC: NIPAN STUDIO

28th Jan 2011