To Be Written
For AFH – 2000 word essay to hand up in November
Syndromes of a Sanctuary – Surrealism and the Fantastic in Contemporary Thai Arthouse Cinema
In recent years, Thai filmmakers like Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Pen-Ek Ratanaruang have injected surrealistic / experimental elements into their films; many of which have been critically acclaimed internationally. This paper will attempt to trace the roots of their inspirations and attempt to explain why such a trend has emerged in contemporary Thai arthouse cinema.
At the same time, the paper will also examine the impact these filmmakers have made on their own industry through the production of these films, and their influence on their regional Southeast Asian counterparts.
Films to be examined:
1. Syndromes and a Century – Apichatpong Weerasethakul
2. Tropical Malady – Apichatpong Weerasethakul
3. Last Life in the Universe – Pen-Ek Ratanaruang
4. Invisible Waves – Pen-Ek Ratanaruang
Die, need to hunt for their films now….. anyone has No. 4 and 1 on DVD, or any of their shorts, please msg me.
