Capturing the enchantment of a 'Living Cinema': The Soundtrack of 'Arun Tai' echos in our minds

The Soundtrack of ‘Arun Tai’ captures the enchantment of a ‘Living Cinema’, where its effects transcend the performance itself; the music from the story continuing to linger on and echo in our hearts and and in our minds, leaving a lasting impression.

Directed by “Rose” Puangsorn Aksornsawang, starring “Utt” Awatch Ratanapintha, “Aim” Phumiphat Thawornsiri, and Nat Kitcharit, ‘Arun Tai’ closed their curtains in the old town district of Songkhla on August 17. Composed by the team from 22 Nakhonnok Bar and final mixed by Mellow Tunes, I returned home to immerse myself in the show’s soundtrack and found myself reliving the live performance once again. The magic of its melodious hymns and rhythms leaving an aftertaste as if transporting me back to the evening once more - only now, the sounds deeper with a richer resonance that captures the very essence of Old Town Songkhla.

“Watching a live show is a fleeting, one-time experience,” says Rose. “I contemplated what it truly meant to offer a ‘Living Cinema’ experience - something that will continue to live on, resonating with our audiences, regardless of whether they experienced the performance live or not. I wanted to preserve the atmosphere of the performance. So the challenge became capturing the essence of that atmosphere through sound.”

‘Arun Tai’ is a story of Arun, following the adventures of three young men in search of memories and moments linked to Old Town Songkhla. They visit the grounds of Lak Mueang Shrine, Wat Yang Thong Temple, and the Red Theater, each holding on to cherished, forgotten memories of a time past.

EQ invites our readers to join us in immersing themselves in, and be enchanted by, the resonant sounds of ‘Arun Tai’:

Track 1: Soundtrack of Grandson

Song :

不了情 - 顧媚 

Gotta Go - Onra

When I press play, the sound of applause commences in time with the tunes of a Chinese opera. The melody brings me back to the sacred grounds of the Lak Means Shrine where the story of ‘Arun’ unfolds - a young man who reminisces on his youthful days with his grandfather at the shrine, the very place that sparked his dream of becoming a performer. Arun begins to speak:

“Watching the Chinese opera with grandfather was likely the first spark that ignited my dreams of becoming a performer. From that moment, I forged my own path toward this dream, having to navigate through the dark clouds of uncertainty alone. Despite this, I hide behind a mask and smile, pressing forward and determined to persevere.”

In the background, the melancholic tunes of classical Chinese music, paired with sounds of the erhu - a traditional two-stringed Chinese musical instrument - and overlapped with the subtle hums of construction, paints a vivid picture of a happy childhood steeped in the vibrant sounds of the opera house. Blending the tender melodies of a piano with soulful vocals, the music deepens our understanding of the profound weight and depth of Arun’s words in the present day.

As someone who shares the experiences of having to leave home in pursuit of their dreams, I empathize that the path is not as smooth as it seems. Like Arun, I relate to the fear and insecurities of having to start anew when things don’t go to plan, yet having to embrace it anyway, holding onto the hope that one day the dreams we chase will become reality.

Track 2: Soundtrack of Spirit

Song :

Lalung Saeng - Jakrapan Rawipan

Saxo Planetariel -Ariel Kalma 

Desolate. Bare. Empty.

This was how I felt as the final seconds of the countdown passed, 15 seconds into the soundtrack. The echoing silence drew me back to Wat Yang Thong temple - where a solitary spirit, taking on the role of ‘Arun’, wandered in search of lost memories. I could still hear the lingering cries of the spirit, trapped within the temple walls, lost with nowhere to go:

“I borrowed Arun’s name to create light. I searched for that light - a light that comes with pain and anger. But today, I exist with the name - an identity, a recognition - that had once laughed and felt joy, yet now grieves over the sounds of laughter it had once heard but no longer hears.”

Rose revealed to the EQ team her serendipitous method of crafting this composition: by layering ‘Lalung Saeng’ and ‘Saxo Planetariel’, the sounds unexpectedly wove together into a seamless, harmonious piece. These blends of sounds created a sense of emptiness that mimicked soft whispers brushing against the ear, sending shivers down the spine and creating an atmosphere where the spirit’s words resonate deeply, cutting into one’s soul. It invites introspection and reflection within us that we, too, are lost souls searching for meaning and identity in this big and desolate world.

Track 3: Soundtrack of Actor

Watching the performance live at the red theater, the show opened with ‘Arun’ taunting, laughing, and having fun with the audience. But returning home to listen to the soundtrack, I noticed the sounds of a young man - the actor - weeping in the background. Were these the tears drawn for the character, or were they the real cries of the actor? The cries were followed by an announcer’s voice through the microphone, proclaiming the Oscar award winners. Was this meant to symbolize what it means to be an actor, reflecting both the highs and lows of their career? Does it represent the struggle of the pain and uncertainty of their path?

“So, must Arun secure his own funding to bring his film to life? And once he finds the funds, is he to be both the creator and the actor? If he does, does that make him an actor in his own right? It sounds so exhausting… but what choice does he have when no-one cares about his performances?”

The track ‘Long Tai’ beautifully portrays the richness of Thailand’s southern cultures. However, when interwoven with the sounds of applause, cries, and laughter from the audience, the music transforms into a melancholic melody that moves the actor to tears. While I may not share similar career aspirations, I find myself deeply empathizing with the pain he endures on a human level.

These three tracks boasts its own distinct sound and approach to composition, yet remain harmoniously aligned with the script, the setting, the performers, and the musical interpretations of Rose, 22 Nakhonnok Bar, and Mellow Tunes.

“We wanted to create a soundtrack that truly resonated with the setting and scenes. So I asked Yuko and Por to curate two songs for each of our shots that would capture the atmosphere and emotions we wanted to evoke. The tracks they chose and sent through ended up being perfect.” Rose added.

Rose then took on the task of sound editing herself. She blended YouTube soundbites with different sound effects - from clips from horror films, the roar of a motorcycle, snippets from award shows, or the clamor of a construction site - and got the help of the team at Mellow Tunes to refine the final mix.