CineAsia has set the local release date and trailer for BAD GENIUS, the Thai heist thriller from director Nattawut Poonpiriya (Countdown). It will drop in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on 2 November 2017.
Shot partially in Sydney, it follows Lynn (Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying), a genius high school student who makes money by cheating tests. In order to complete a new millions-Baht task, Lynn and her classmates have to finish the international STIC(SAT) exam in Australia and deliver the answers back to her friends in Thailand before the exam takes place once again in her home country.
Poonpiriya was reportedly inspired by stylistic forebears The Conversation, The Parallax View, All the President’s Men and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy to bring his caper to life, and the trailer embedded below is certainly reflective of the fast-pace of a heist film.
A box office success in its native Thailand, where is known as Chalard Games Goeng (ฉลาดเกมส์โกง), BAD GENIUS won the Best Feature award at the New York Asian Film Festival, and lead actress Chutimon received the festival’s Screen International Rising Star Asia award at the film’s screening.
