Before film producers Gerald and Patricia Green took over a movie festival in Bangkok, the weeklong event struggled to capture Hollywood's attention. Over the next four years, the Southern California couple transformed the festival into a rising star on the international circuit for screening new films, attracting the likes of Michael Douglas, Jeremy Irons and director Oliver Stone to Thailand. The success earned the couple a small fortune and drew scrutiny from federal prosecutors who have charged them with bribing Thai officials to run the festival and land lucrative contracts. In a novel trial scheduled to start Tuesday in US District Court, prosecutors allege the Greens paid bribes so they would be awarded business contracts that brought the couple $14 million. Gerald Green, who produced Stone's “Salvador” and “Rescue Dawn” starring Christian Bale, faces 20 counts. Patricia Green, who produced “Diamonds,” a comedy starring Kirk Douglas, Dan Aykroyd and Lauren Bacall, faces 21 counts. If convicted, they each could receive up to life in prison. They have both pleaded not guilty to the charges and are free on bond. Gerald Green's career in Hollywood spans more than 30 years, producing “Man Friday” with Peter O'Toole in 1975; serving as technical adviser on the 1984 science-fiction film “Dune;” and striking up a friendship with Stone when they paired up on “Salvador” two years later.
