Are you into watching foreign films? If yes, then we suggest you watch Chocolate next! In this article, I will tell you everything about this special martial arts film. Furthermore, I’ll also let you in on where was Chocolate filmed.
Chocolate is a Thai action film that was released in the second week of February 2008. This award-winning film became super popular for Prachya Pinkaew’s style of direction. Napalee and Chookiat wrote the screenplay for this project, however, the real story is based on a fictional novel written by a Thai author.
The basic premise of Chocolate revolves around the character of Zen, a young Thai girl who takes on her arch-enemy after learning martial arts. The story gets interesting when a skilled martial arts instructor teaches Zen how to channel her energy into one place and fight autism at the same time.
Chocolate won two major awards and collected five prestigious nominations in total. The production budget of this action drama movie was more than $4.8 million. After the film was released in three different languages, Chocolate became super popular and grossed more than the production budget at the box office.
Let us now take a closer look at where was Chocolate filmed.
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Where Was Chocolate FIlmed? Let’s Know This Action Drama Film Closely!
Chocolate or better known as Zen, Warrior Within, was the first film where JeeJa Yanin played a major role. In fact, this project proved to be one of the most important films of her career. It’s also important to mention that, after featuring as the female lead in this special action film, JeeJa received a lot of appreciation from the critics.
Other blockbuster films like Taloompuk, Raging Phoenix, Triple Threat, and The Protector 2 were also critically appreciated because of JeeJa’s acting prowess. Prachya identified JeeJa’s talent in acting and performing martial arts, and that was the main reason why the director selected her for this film.
In fact, the amazing filming locations of this movie were also selected by the director. As the story of Chocolate is set in Thailand, Prachya wanted to shoot the film in the same country. Yet, other production members insisted she check out other potential locations first before reaching a final decision.
But, after scouting through a number of International locations, the director thought it would be best to shoot in Thailand. The production budget was sufficient enough to support the shooting process in this country.
So, without hesitating much, the director asked the production members to start filming in Thailand after selecting the main filming locations.
The principal photography of Chocolate began in the summer of 2006 and continued for one month or so. The majority of the outdoor scenes during the first phase of filming were shot in and around Bangkok.
Other pivotal outdoor scenes from the final quarter of the movie were captured in Phuket. After the outdoor shots were captured, the production members began working on the promotion of the movie.
Let us now discuss in detail and find out where was Chocolate filmed.
Bangkok | Thailand
There’s hardly anyone in this world who doesn’t know about this vibrant city. Bangkok is known all over the world for its rich cultural heritage, famous Buddhist shrines, and glamorous street life.
The opening scene of the film, where we see the character of Zin for the first time, was filmed inside an abandoned warehouse located on the banks of Chao Phraya river. The production member had to turn around the entire warehouse to make it look like the backstage of a nightclub.
The sequences depicting Zin and Masahi’s first encounter were filmed in this location. In fact, the scene where the Yakuza boss, Masahi, vows to kill No.8 for gang war issues was also filmed inside the same warehouse.
However, the scene where we see the character of Zin and Masahi living together was filmed inside a small apartment building located near Khlong Sang. The sequences depicting Zen’s first martial arts school were filmed inside a gym located in Sieng Kong, Bangkok.
Phuket
Sequences from the final quarter of the movie were mainly filmed in and around Phuket. The sequence where Zen gets into a fistfight with the henchmen of No.8 was filmed near Thalang Road, Phuket.
After all these sequences were shot, the production members used a studio to capture the interior scenes of the movie.
Are you planning to visit Thailand in the upcoming days? Then you should definitely check out Jui Tui Shrine, The Big Buddha; Phuket, Wat Chalong, Freedom Beach, Krabi, Phi Phi Islands, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Koh Samui.
These are some of the most iconic places in Thailand, famous for their vibrant nightlife, food scenes, and other tourist attractions. So, if you’re interested in visiting Thailand, then you should consider checking out these places before booking your flight tickets or making reservations.
And now, let me walk you through the plot of Chocolate. In the meantime, you can also read Casino Royale, Oppenheimer, and The Crown.
Plot Of Chocolate | What’s It About
The story of Chocolate revolves around the character of Zen, an autistic Thai girl who is very talented in performing martial arts. At the beginning of the film, the character of Zin decides to elope with the boss of the Yakuza clan, Masahi.
As the story progresses, the lovers conceive a child, and 9 months later, Zen takes birth. A couple of years later, the parents of the female lead start to notice the autistic behavior of Zen. At the same time, they also notice the innate talent of the female lead in performing martial arts.
Almost two decades later, Zen hones her innate talent after taking lessons from a skilled martial arts instructor. Watch Chocolate and find out how the autistic female lead single-handedly fights with the henchmen of her arch-enemy.
Final Words
Friends, I’ve mentioned all the filming locations of this action movie. Plus I’ve also added a couple of other interesting details. But, if you still have any other questions, feel free to drop a comment below.
