Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Communication Arts will hold a series of film screenings in Bangkok this week, to celebrate the faculty’s sixtieth anniversary. Bangkok Unbound, a programme of short films about the Thai capital by Chula graduates, takes place today and includes Panisa Khueanphet’s Bangkok 2564 (เมืองฟ้าอมร). Another programme, The 60th Year (สดุดีปีจอ), includes two documentary features: Breaking the Cycle (อำนาจ ศรัทธา อนาคต) on 27th February, followed by a Q&A with its directors Aekaphong Saransate and Thanakrit Duangmaneeporn; and Come and See (เอหิปัสสิโก) on 28th February, followed by a talk by director Nottapon Boonprakob.
Bangkok 2564
Bangkok 2564 is the director’s silent assessment of the city in the present day. (2564 is the Buddhist Era equivalent of 2021, the year the film was made.) Its Thai title translates as ‘heavenly’ or ‘angelic’, though this is intended ironically, as the film highlights the authoritarian nature of city life. Panisa films police officers and security guards in public spaces, and protesters at Democracy Monument. In the final moments, riot police advance on demonstrators who give a three-finger salute.
Bangkok 2564 is similar to Weerapat Sakolvaree’s Zombie Citizens, which was filmed at around the same time. Both films show access to the Grand Palace blocked by shipping containers, and Bangkok’s streets largely deserted after coronavirus pandemic restrictions. The two films are also commentaries on the state’s attitudes towards its citizens.
Bangkok 2564 is similar to Weerapat Sakolvaree’s Zombie Citizens, which was filmed at around the same time. Both films show access to the Grand Palace blocked by shipping containers, and Bangkok’s streets largely deserted after coronavirus pandemic restrictions. The two films are also commentaries on the state’s attitudes towards its citizens.
Breaking the Cycle
Breaking the Cycle is a fly-on-the-wall account of the Future Forward party, which was dissolved by the Constitutional Court in 2020. (Future Forward was founded as a progressive alternative to military dictatorship. The party came third in the 2019 election, after a wave of support for its charismatic leader, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, though he was disqualified as an MP by the Constitutional Court.)
The film begins in 2014 with Thanathorn’s determination to end the vicious cycle of military coups that has characterised Thailand’s modern political history. This mission gives the film its title, and Future Forward co-founder Piyabutr Saengkanokkul asks: “Why is Thailand stuck in this cycle of coups?” The documentary benefits from its extensive access to every senior figure within Future Forward. The directors were even able to film Thanathorn as he reacted to the guilty verdicts being delivered by the Constitutional Court.
The documentary ends with the caption “THE CYCLE CONTINUES”, which is sadly accurate: Future Forward’s successor, Move Forward, was dissolved by the Constitutional Court last year despite winning the 2023 election. The movement’s third incarnation, the People’s Party, will need a landslide victory in the next election to challenge the current pro-military coalition led by Pheu Thai.
Breaking the Cycle went on general release last year. It was later shown at the Thai Film Archive in Salaya, as part of the Lost and Longing (แด่วันคืนที่สูญหาย) season. It was also screened at AEY Space in Songkla, and at the Bangsaen Film Festival 2024 (เทศกาลภาพยนตร์บางแสน 2024) at Burapha University. It was part of the Hits Me Movies... One More Time programme at House Samyan in Bangkok, and it was screened last week at Thammasat University.
The film begins in 2014 with Thanathorn’s determination to end the vicious cycle of military coups that has characterised Thailand’s modern political history. This mission gives the film its title, and Future Forward co-founder Piyabutr Saengkanokkul asks: “Why is Thailand stuck in this cycle of coups?” The documentary benefits from its extensive access to every senior figure within Future Forward. The directors were even able to film Thanathorn as he reacted to the guilty verdicts being delivered by the Constitutional Court.
The documentary ends with the caption “THE CYCLE CONTINUES”, which is sadly accurate: Future Forward’s successor, Move Forward, was dissolved by the Constitutional Court last year despite winning the 2023 election. The movement’s third incarnation, the People’s Party, will need a landslide victory in the next election to challenge the current pro-military coalition led by Pheu Thai.
Breaking the Cycle went on general release last year. It was later shown at the Thai Film Archive in Salaya, as part of the Lost and Longing (แด่วันคืนที่สูญหาย) season. It was also screened at AEY Space in Songkla, and at the Bangsaen Film Festival 2024 (เทศกาลภาพยนตร์บางแสน 2024) at Burapha University. It was part of the Hits Me Movies... One More Time programme at House Samyan in Bangkok, and it was screened last week at Thammasat University.
Come and See
Come and See examines the practices of the Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple complex (in Pathum Thani province, near Bangkok) and its former abbot, Dhammajayo, who has long been suspected of money laundering. (Dhammakaya is a Buddhist sect recognised by the Sangha Supreme Council, though it closely resembles a cult. Come and See interviews both current devotees and disaffected former members of the organisation.)
The Dhammakaya complex itself is only twenty years old, and its design is inherently cinematic. The enormous Cetiya temple resembles a golden UFO, and temple ceremonies are conducted on an epic scale, with tens of thousands of monks and worshippers arranged with geometric precision. The temple cooperated with Nottapon, though his access was limited. Come and See doesn’t investigate the allegations against Dhammajayo, though it does provide extensive coverage of the 2016 DSI raid on the temple and Dhammajayo’s subsequent disappearance.
The Dhammakaya complex itself is only twenty years old, and its design is inherently cinematic. The enormous Cetiya temple resembles a golden UFO, and temple ceremonies are conducted on an epic scale, with tens of thousands of monks and worshippers arranged with geometric precision. The temple cooperated with Nottapon, though his access was limited. Come and See doesn’t investigate the allegations against Dhammajayo, though it does provide extensive coverage of the 2016 DSI raid on the temple and Dhammajayo’s subsequent disappearance.
