BNK48: Girls Don't Cry

Girl band BNK48, with 50 members, is a phenomenon that has wafted over from Japan to Thailand, where it is turning the country upside down. Every teenager and twenty-something in the band has her own character, personality and social media followers. The latter is the most important factor to break through in this pop group. Only the most popular members are admitted to the core team: the 16 sebatsus who actually record the songs. Thai director Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit takes a look behind the scenes with this kawaii pop group, sketching in revealing interviews with band members the toll it takes to reach the top. To get the most from BNK48, the girls have to compete against their best friends. Even worse: talent is not always rewarded. It’s not really about who is the best singer or dancer, but mainly who has the most followers on social media. So the members of BNK48 are caught up in an endless popularity contest. (International Film Festival Rotterdam)