Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (ลุงบุญมีระลึกชาติ) will be shown at the Thai Film Archive on 7th February, as part of a two-day event, พินิจ 80 ปีหลังสงคราม ผ่านภาพยนตร์ญี่ปุ่น ไทย และไต้หวัน (‘reflecting on 80 years after the war through Japanese, Thai, and Taiwanese films’). (The first day of the programme will be on 5th February.)
The film’s central character, Boonmee, is dying of kidney failure (which Apichatpong’s father also suffered from). Boonmee is cared for by his sister Jen and his young cousin Tong, though one evening the ghost of his dead wife materialises at the dining table. A few minutes later, Boonmee’s long-lost son returns in the form of a monkey spirit with glowing red eyes.
The film’s central character, Boonmee, is dying of kidney failure (which Apichatpong’s father also suffered from). Boonmee is cared for by his sister Jen and his young cousin Tong, though one evening the ghost of his dead wife materialises at the dining table. A few minutes later, Boonmee’s long-lost son returns in the form of a monkey spirit with glowing red eyes.
Boonmee reflects on his life as a former soldier who killed communist rebels in the 1970s, and we are shown some of his previous incarnations: a buffalo that escapes from its owner, and a princess who seduces one of her servants and makes love with a talking catfish. Each of the film’s six reels was filmed in a different cinematic style, as a tribute to the films that captivated the the director when he was growing up.
After Boonmee’s funeral, Tong becomes a monk, though he leaves the temple as he misses the comforts of home. Finally, Tong and Jen visit a karaoke restaurant, either as an out-of-body experience or perhaps in a parallel universe.
After Boonmee’s funeral, Tong becomes a monk, though he leaves the temple as he misses the comforts of home. Finally, Tong and Jen visit a karaoke restaurant, either as an out-of-body experience or perhaps in a parallel universe.
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives is one of Thailand’s greatest films. The shot of Boonmee’s son as a monkey spirit emerging from the jungle (photographed by Nontawat Numbenchapol) has become one of world cinema’s most iconic images. (It appears, courtesy of Apichatpong, on the cover of Thai Cinema Uncensored.)
As in Tropical Malady (สัตว์ประหลาด), the forest is a dwelling for animal spirits, though in Uncle Boonmee the supernatural elements are more explicit and tangible. Also, the central theme of Uncle Boonmee is predicted in Tropical Malady, when one character says: “Remember my uncle who can recall his past lives?”
As in Tropical Malady (สัตว์ประหลาด), the forest is a dwelling for animal spirits, though in Uncle Boonmee the supernatural elements are more explicit and tangible. Also, the central theme of Uncle Boonmee is predicted in Tropical Malady, when one character says: “Remember my uncle who can recall his past lives?”