Fridae

Based on a classic book by Archin Panchapan about his experiences
working in a tin mine, this movie was one of the most ambitious
and expensive Thai projects (reportedly 70 million baht) of 2005.
But the sincere and heartfelt drama failed dramatically at the Thai
box-office, prompting many Thai film buffs to bemoan the future
of Thai cinema.

The Tin Mine tells the story of a boy from a comfortable
middle-class home in Bangkok who drops out of university after failing
his exams. He is sent to work as a labourer in a rural mine where
he learns the values of hard work, humility and team spirit. His
experience also helps him appreciate the struggles of ordinary rural
Thais.

Though The Tin Mine's spectacular cinematography and beautiful
musical score have been praised, the film's weak acting and unsubtle
moralizing have been criticized.