English-language romantic drama perks up on Thai coffee plantation

The 2004 drama "Sideways" did much to popularise vineyard tours in California's Napa Valley. Now Thailand's scenic southern coffee-growing area is about to get some much-need publicity thanks to Swiss National and long time Thailand resident Urs T Brunner, who's producing the upcoming English language film "Bitter/Sweet".

Brunner's brought in Jeff Hare to direct American actor Kip Pardue, ("Remember the Titans") and Napakpapha "Mamee" Nakprasit in a romantic tale about Brian, a Western coffee specialist (Pardue) who's sent to Thailand by his boss Calvert Jenkins (James Brolin) to seek out a decent Robusta plant. At first reluctant to accept Robusta over the more popular Arabica, Brian comes to appreciate its unique taste, as well as the charms of Ticha (Napakpapha), the woman with whom he is doing business.

Pakkaramai Potranan and Kalorin Nemayothin co-star.

The film is set in Krabi's coffee growing area, where Brunner's Thai wife owns a farm.

"Most people don't know that Thai coffee is very good quality or that the coffee plantations in Krabi are beautiful," says Brunner, who's lived in Thailand for 18 years.

"It's a romantic story that depicts the love Thais have for their other and for their country."

XTRA

A totally Thai affair

>> Aside from director Jeff Hare, the rest of the crew is Thai, including cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom.

>> The film is being shot on location in Krabi and is scheduled to open in February.