4K RESTORATION
Director: Walter Lang
Runtime: 133 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English, Thai
Rating: PG

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Awards

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
BEST ART DIRECTION
BEST MUSICAL SCORE
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Academy Awards 1957

BEST PICTURE
BEST ACTRESS
Golden Globes 1957

“Getting to know you. Putting it my way, but nicely”
– Anna in The King and I

Full Synopsis

Set in Bangkok in 1862, Deborah Kerr stars as Anna Loenowens, the strait-laced English governess engaged by King Mongkut to provide a European education to his many children and wives. Anna’s initial negative impression of the King simmers into a coy affection as she helps him impress British dignitaries with a party, replete with a Thai dance performance inspired by Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Banned in Thailand on account of its distorted caricature of the Thai monarchy, including the tyrannical King played by Yul Brynner in yellowface, The King and I’s glaring prejudices become enmeshed in the spectacle of lavish musical numbers, but are hardly hidden. Ultimately, the depiction of the unlikely bond between a governess and despot reveals the binaries—of purity and sensuality, scientific rationalism and innocent spirituality, and noble and savage—which bolster the construction of orientalism itself.

Supplementary Reading

Disclaimer: This programme features films which include outdated and historically inaccurate depictions, including instances of minstrel shows, yellow and brownface. Rather than deny or erase the colonial apparatuses in film history, these films and their complex legacies should be critically viewed in its original form, contextualised and discussed.

Oldham Theatre’s opening hours

The full Orienting Paradise: Western Projections of the East programme can be found here. Tickets will go on sale Friday, 25 March 2022.

Friends of AFA members may select the “Friends of AFA” option and enter your membership number if you wish to redeem your remaining complimentary tickets.

For further assistance, please contact us at ticketing@asianfilmarchive.org 

Important Notice:

Do note that Oldham Theatre does not play ads and screenings will start promptly. Arrive early so as not to disrupt the screenings. All patrons are encouraged to purchase your tickets online to be able to secure a seat. If you choose to purchase tickets or merchandise at Oldham Theatre’s box office, cashless payment is preferred.

Measures will be taken to ensure the health and safety of all patrons at Oldham Theatre. This includes wearing a mask at all times for both staff and patrons and TraceTogether logging. Doors will open 20 minutes before showtime, so arrive early to register and find a seat.

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T&Cs
Concession tickets apply to Students (Local & Overseas), Full-time National Servicemen (NSF), Senior Citizens (55 years and above) only.

Please check film ratings before purchase of tickets. Please note that you may be asked to present your ID at the door (this applies to concession tickets as well). Only physical photographic identification is allowed, digital copies of identification are not allowed. AFA reserves the right to turn away any members of the public without physical photographic identification.

Upon confirmation of your order for Tickets, no exchange of Tickets will be made under any circumstances and Tickets are not transferable. No refund on Tickets will be made under any circumstances except due to cancellation of the event. The resale of Tickets at any price is prohibited.