5th OKINAWA INTERNATIONAL MOVIE FESTIVAL

Thai actress “Gypso” (Ramita Mahapreukpong), 24, is steadily capturing the hearts of the local public through her deft portrayals of quirky and humorous characters on television and screen.

“Starring in films is my passion. In film, I feel real,” she said during a short interview at the ongoing fifth Okinawa Film Festival that warps up on March 30. Gypso graced the occasion with her manager to promote new Thai films to the international audience gathered in Ginowan, Okinawa.

The gathering at the seven day glittering event, that also aims to showcase the unique culture of Japan's most southern islands, comprises top names in the international contents exchange industry, a crucial aspect of the global entertainment.

Talking to the beautiful aspiring actress, who is steering her way in the vast and gruelingly competitive entertainment world, provided an important snap shot into the industry, especially the situation for the female demographic. Thailand is Southeast Asia's second largest economy after Singapore, and a rising Asian Tiger boasting a fast expanding entertainment industry.

Gypso explained that she was approached by one of the country's mass of recruitment agencies as is the common practice. “I went to pick up my sister who is also an actress, and they just asked me whether I was interested to try my talent in the entertainment industry. I said yes,” she said. Gypso’s twin sister works under the name of “Gypsy.” At that time, Gypso was 17 years old.

He talent that included speaking flawless English and a deep commitment to her work, paved the way for her in television campaigns and soon made her a regular television announcer. That career was a stepping stone to work her way into television soap operas, creating a space for her to become a popular face. The next step, as time went by, was to request to appear in films — her latest is “Valentine Sweety”, a romantic story, screened in 2012.

“Acting in films is what I like best,” she said pointing out soap operas usually means being restricted to formats that are the norm, whereas films allow her to express herself more freely, a situation she appreciates deeply.