Thailand's Engfa Waraha & Dream Thanika Jenjesda Want ‘Lady Bee' To Re-Define The Female Gaze In Thai Filmmaking — Cannes Studio
Upcoming Thai film Lady Bee presents a re-imagining of the 1960s Thai novel 'The Story of Jan Dara,' with popular singer-actress Engfa Waraha headlining the film as the enigmatic Lady Boonleung.
In an interview at Deadline's Cannes studio, Waraha, alongside the film's co-writer and co-director Dream Thanika Jenjesda, shared that they are excited to present a new adaptation of the story — which has been remade before — from a female perspective for the first time.
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Starring in just her second feature film after box office hit Paradise of Thorns, Waraha said, 'There's a lot of pressure because Paradise of Thorns was so well-received. This is my second role and I'm under pressure to do my best. I want to challenge myself as an actor and not just a star.'
Waraha won the Best Actress prize at the 2025 Thailand Box Office Awards for her role in family drama feature The Paradise of Thorns.
Besides acting, Waraha has also ventured into singing, appearing in the seventh season of The Voice Thailand. She revealed that the late legendary Thai singer Pumpuang is her biggest singing inspiration.
On her singing career, Waraha said, 'It was one of my biggest dreams and whenever I received good opportunities, I did my best to be the best I could.'
Set to begin principal photography in late-2025, Lady Bee follows Lady Boonleung, a woman unbound by the morality or power structures of her time and driven by a yearning for connection.
'My goal is not to be too vogue, vocal or preachy about it,' said co-writer and co-director Jenjesda. 'In Thailand, we're still a little bit conservative, a little bit suppressed in these of having male-dominated leading roles.'
She named directors Sofia Coppola and Wim Wenders among her filmmaking inspirations.
Lady Bee will also be co-directed by Rutaiwan Wongsirasawad (Dalah), with Julien Favre also onboard as co-writer. Pantham Thongsang will produce the film.
Looking ahead, Waraha has set her sights overseas too. 'I want more opportunities at an international level, perhaps taking a role alongside a Hollywood movie star or well-known international stars,' said Waraha. 'I want to challenge my English-speaking abilities.'
Lady Bee is represented by Singapore-based sales company Mokster Films.
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