Today, a famous actor, stuntman and fight choreographer passed away in a hospital in Thailand at the age of 53. Panna Rittikrai, thanks to which the world learned about Tony Jaa and Thai martial arts films.
Panna Rittikrai (birth name - Krittiya Lardphanna) was born on February 17, 1961. Since childhood, he studied Thai boxing, and began working in cinema in 1979, teaching Thai actors the elements of hand-to-hand combat and engaging in their physical training. Inspired by kung fu hits Bruce Lee и Jackie Chan, as well as James Bond films, Panna decides to create his own stunt team PPN Stunt Team, who worked on director Rittikrai's first films "Born to Fight" (1984) and "Spiritual Assassin" (1994)
Rittikrai becomes truly famous after the release of the film "Ong-Bak" (2003), where Panna and his then-famous stunt team were responsible for the action. The main role in the film was played by Panna's student and one of his stuntmen - Tony JAA. In the future, Rittikrai, as a director, will direct two sequels to the successful action film with Jha, as well as several more hits, like a remake "Born to Fight" (2004) "Bodyguard" (2004) "Dangerous Bangkok" (2010) and "The Killer's Revenge" (2014). It is also believed that Panna discovered the talent of a dancer and actress to the world Gigi Yanin, nominating her for the lead role in the film "Chocolate" (2008), in which he was also involved in fight choreography and production.
About the films in which Rittikrai played action roles, he jokingly said:
“You may have never heard of my films. They are popular among taxi drivers and somtam sellers, security guards and Isan coolies. My most loyal fans are the people in the distant tambons, where they spread mattresses on the ground and drink home-made whiskey while watching my films on open air"
Panna Rittikrai had a huge impact on combat cinema, featuring brutal full-contact fights and the desperate work of Thai stuntmen, whose fame spread throughout the world.
Liver disease greatly affected the choreographer’s physical condition - since November last year he lost a lot of weight and began to weigh less than 50 kg. Due to an exacerbation of the disease at the end of June, Rittikrai was taken to the hospital, where, upon additional examination, a brain tumor was discovered. Despite the fact that the operation was successful, on the morning of July 20 Panna Rittikrai died. The cause of death is said to be blood poisoning caused by liver disease.
On July 21st there will be a farewell ceremony for the deceased. Cremation and burial are scheduled for July 26 (16 p.m. Thai time).
Rest in peace Panna Rittikrai...
53 so young (((I really wanted to see more of his work!
Good karma to him
Well, damn it :( Thanks to their trio with Pinkay and Tony, I got hooked on films of the genre, ong-bak and tom yum goong greatly influenced the attitude towards cinema. And here it is. Fifty years is generally not the age to die, how can that be ;(
Rest in peace, you will be greatly missed.
After the change of management, I began to trust Variety less... But I hope it’s true.
I'm talking about the fact that Chocolate 2 is being filmed. I thought he wouldn't be there.
For some reason this information was removed on some sites (about the fact that he was the director), so I asked again.
screen credits are just presence in the credits.
Panna.
http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/panna-rittikrai-1961-2014
His final film as a director is Vengeance of an Assassin starring Chupong and Kessarin EKTAWATKUL. The film is about a hitman who goes on the run after he is ordered to kill a woman under his protection.
http://variety.com/2014/film/news/panna-rittikrai-muay-thai-action-maestro-dead-at-53-1201265461/
His final screen credits are on “Tom Yum Goong 2,” “Chocolate 2” and “Vengeance of an Assassin.”
[img]http://static.you2play.com/2013/assets/uploads/movie/images/original/e670a0743242c5ce238d09b1cce41e25.JPG[/img]
October 9 2014
Video by Kazoo (Patrick Tang)
youtu.be/gVYm2XPkZzw
PS Ilya, do you know who filmed Vengeance Of An Assassin? Panna or Prachya?
Rest in peace...
R.I.P.
Very, very sorry... Such a legend! Rest in peace, Panna!
Horrible..condolences..
Oh my...! So what is this???!!!
There are no more words...
Yes. On the same day. And yesterday, Western legend James Garner passed away.
And again the bitter irony of fate - on the same day 41 years ago, Bruce Lee died.
This is really a disaster for Thai cinema! There are a lot of good stuntmen there, but there are just a few really smart choreographers. Panna was one of the most prominent. It's a pity!
Tough...I'm shocked. Rest in peace...
One less legend... :(