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Reviews
Sibha kham doan sib ed (2002)
All the charm of Local Hero
This film came out at a time when there was much public controversy in Thailand over the nature of the fireballs. It was in the papers for several years, with arguments spanning the range of beliefs. This is a film for anyone who wants to come to a better understanding of the facets of Thailand and Laos. It places the views of shamanism, Buddhism, and modern rationality gracefully together in a manner that informs while it entertains.
The film work is interesting, moving between set piece work to "live" shooting, keeping elements of documentary interspersed with a human storyline, in keeping with the ongoing controversy at the time.
The characters are well developed, if a bit stock - the returning native, the girl left behind, the big city doctor come to the countryside - but this doesn't distract. Rather, it provides common reference points for we foreigners to hold onto. (And there's an extremely good line from the elder monk, but I won't give that away).
The overall effect is much one of engagement, as in Local Hero or other such films that take you somewhere "different". And Nong Kai is "different".
P (2005)
A nicely done little ghost story
I was able to see P when it screened in Brussels in March at the BIFFF. The story details have already been covered by another reviewer, so I won't go into that. The film looked beautiful up on the big screen, and the colours and composition were excellent. Paul Spurrier is a devoted fan of film (over video), and his choice to work in the traditional media, with limited use of CGI work comes through in the lushness of the final product. Likewise, the sound was handled well, and the subtitling was properly synched. Having a good story helps, too.
There's been some talk of an "angry response" at Brussels, but I was in the audience, and I found it well received, particularly in comparison with how some other films had been savaged by the audience the day before (they're a tough house over there). The film took a lot of applause, and nothing in the way of heckling or other caustic remarks, so I suspect someone is on a crusade of their own.
Now I've got to find a copy of Underground.