Seasons Change

Nithiwat Tharathorn's 2006 Thai film covers a year at a college of music. Pom sits the entrance exam to follow the girl he likes and, quite unexpectedly, passes; he then finds himself unprepared in a place where music is taken seriously. The structure is divided by Bangkok's three seasons. Pom advances a little in each section; the narrative does not present talent as innate and also shows the dull parts of the work. Music is at the centre and the rehearsals were filmed in real time. The tone is light, the humour measured, and the romantic line does not go where it is expected to. The cast is largely young. Who it's for: those who like Thai youth films and narratives set in music schools. Who it's not for: viewers expecting dense drama; the film stays light to the end.