Behind The Scenes of Period Fantasy Film In The Name of Love

The eagerly awaited film In The Name of Love, produced by Black Dragon Entertainment under the direction of Julian Jung, the company's CEO who has previously overseen world-class film and television productions, marks an exciting collaboration. Director Muk Piyakaan Butprasert helms the project alongside production designer Tod Naruebet Muulmanas, a collage artist.

The film stars Ink Varunthon Paonill as Wunthong, alongside Maak Pareeya Suparat as Khun Phan and Gluff Kanawarti Traipipattanapongs as Khun Chang, joined by Primanee Wipawee Patthasiri as Sai Thong and Fay Pathorn Eoksaengkul as Jan Sorn.

Director Muk revealed: "After completing Long Live Love!, the studio approached me about this project and said I'd be working with Julian Jung. I was thrilled because he has internationally recognized work, and he had seen our film and thought we were right for the project. It motivated me to revisit Khun Chang and Khun Phan through different versions and perspectives. I felt we still had messages to convey from Long Live Love!, and wanted to create a film exploring relationships between both genders, fostering better understanding of living together harmoniously."

Regarding casting, the director explained: "I saw a painting at Wat Pa Lelaik temple by artist Muang Singha Chanthachai and immediately thought of Ink. When I had her audition with an execution scene containing important dialogue, I was struck by how she delivered the monologue—her rhythm matched mine perfectly. I was amazed she cried on her first attempt. I asked her to play it as she felt it, without giving her the complete script. I believe characters choose their actors."

For Khun Phan and Khun Chang, the director intentionally created contrasting characters—Khun Phan as strong and masculine, while Khun Chang is gentle and Wunthong's close friend who understands women. When paired together, their character differences become very clear.

When casting Maak for Khun Phan, the director sought a distinctly Thai man. After seeing an interview where he discussed Thai literature, she contacted him with the script, and he agreed. Gluff, who plays Khun Chang, impressed her tremendously during his audition, demonstrating natural talent without apparent effort. His reaction during casting moved her deeply. Gluff's appeal lies in his willingness to challenge himself—he actually requested the Khun Phan role, showing serious commitment to the period piece; his audition lasted approximately four hours.

For the role of Sai Thong, the director sought to create a multidimensional character with sexual and fantastical elements, casting Primanee for her strong sex appeal. Jan Sorn, played by Fay, adds comic relief to the narrative. The director and Fay developed the character significantly, reinterpreting the historical outlaw as potentially progressive for his era rather than criminal—simply born in the wrong time, excelling in his own way.

Beyond exploring classic literature and Wunthong's fate, In The Name of Love showcases a harmonious blend of period and fantasy production design under the direction of Tod Naruebet Muulmanas, the production designer overseeing the entire visual direction.