Drama Digest
When sports matches with boiling politics churning with time, it becomes a growing den of irresistible shadows. The drama highlights Muay Thai, a once acclaimed sport turned coin for the gambling business, by paving the internal veins through several narratives and two stories. It is based on actual events fragmented amidst fictional stories evoking the essence of brutal truth. Through several interviews of people from different positions and meticulous research in the boxing realm, it casts a gritty picture of a locally prevalent abyss.
The Feel-Good Part
The drama is an adrenaline race against time. The thrilling and gripping instances of vile reality don’t base on a whole plot nor follow the widening documentary methodology. Nevertheless, it doesn’t fail to zoom into the world of Muay Thai with the different approach that makes it beyond engaging to watch.
The Disappointing Factor
None.
In-Depth Analysis
Red is a color depicting rage, tears, trauma, and blood. The drama captures intriguing instances of the piercing silhouettes of Muay Thai. A boxing ring cum rapacious battleground doesn’t only focus on squadrons of matches but also screams, smirks, and counting numbers, all running for one thing- money. While the players are desperate puppets to boxing gurus and silent notes, the onlookers are trapped in bubbles of helpless hopes. Driven by poverty, the docu-series saga, an exquisite blend of strokes of truth, speaks the story of millions and zillions of players, primarily victims of the extreme financial crisis. But the opposite side never balances with their soul-stirring efforts. The underworld bosses enjoy the satisfaction of blood, sweat, and tears by striking little malicious matches to light up their cigarettes as the show progresses in a murderous rhythm. The childhood of young players is defined by survival tactics, as death looms over their heads from an early age. This drama stealthily goes over the narrative of a one-way arena, a place from where the gripping reality is hard to shove off even if one chooses to leave it all behind.
The first episode enters a world seen through Phat, who becomes the eye to the journey within. As the drama progresses, it uses beautiful choreography of colors to heighten the depth of reality. The cinematography stands true to its content. Via angles, lighting, and a host of nuanced camera techniques, silences and screams rush into the hidden routine. Pattana Junjareonsuk’s experience with behind-the-curtain voices in the boxing domain inspired him to make this drama. His collaboration with director Kittichai Wanprasert leads to the marvelous dramatic choreography. The approach devised by interviewing almost 40 people and then coming up with the script aligns as a brilliant way of forecasting the truth behind this sport.
Star Power
Under the magic of director Kittichai Wanprasert, the drama lives up to its name till the end. Nat Kitcharit as Phat shows splendid acting skills in bringing out the character’s tension in every way possible. Phuripat Poonsuk, as Wichian, depicted the perfect rigorous gruesomeness and piteous but inevitable truth of reality. As his trainer, Nopachai Chaiyanam played the role extravagantly. The supporting cast was undoubtedly the best in positing the driving essence of the drama. Both on-screen and off-screen dedication, along with the interviews, is proof of the drama’s ongoing success and popularity.
Overall Opinion
Whether you are a documentary lover or a sucker for adrenaline-driven stories, this is a must-watch for all non-faint-hearted viewers.
