Early Cinema, Fandom and Global Modernity in the 2460s Siam
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Abstract
During the 2460s, Siam witnessed regular screenings of the world's early films at cinemas, particularly in Bangkok. The introduction of local film magazines was a significant indicator of the growth of the film exhibition business and the popularity of cinema-going among Siamese audiences. This article examines film periodicals from that period as historical evidence documenting the Siamese response to the world’s early cinema. By seeing films as the product of modernity and investigating the film fan culture portrayed in these film magazines, it is argued that Siam enthusiastically embraced modernity. There was also a tendency of blending global modernity into the cultural context of Siam, as well as the possibility of moviegoers to encounter the spectacular outside world. This practice would potentially contribute to the cultural vitality in which the Siamese commoners play a significant role.
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