Samui Song - 25th Jan 2019
A brilliant psychological drama about cruel bonds, dark sexuality and misguided spiritual quest.
Polish premiere: 18th New Horizons IFF, Wroclaw 2018
Theatrical premiere: 2019
Watch interactive interview with director
SAMUI SONG
Mai Mee Samui Samrab Ter
director: Pen-ek Ratanaruang
Thailand, Germany, Norway 2017, 108'
FESTIVals
- Venice Days Giornate Degli Autori 2017
- Toronto IFF 2017 - Contemporary World Cinema Programme
- CPH PIX 2017 - Masters of Cinema Section
- Haifa IFF 2017 - Masters Section
- Busan IFF 2017 - A Window on Asian Cinema Section
- Chicago IFF 2017 - International Competition
- Sao Paulo IFF 2017 - International Perspective Section
- Kolkata IFF 2017 - Pen-ek Ratanaruang Retrospective
- Tokyo Filmex 2017 - Special Screening
- Hong Kong IFF 2018 - Global Vision Section
- Minneapolis St Paul IFF 2018 - Asian Frontiers Section
Viyada is a thirty-year-old actress of popular soap operas, specializing in the roles of villains. Her private life is more and more reminiscent of a film intrigue: she’s married to a rich foreigner, an unfulfilled sculptor, who’s getting more and more devoted to a religious movement guided by a rigid spiritual leader. Viyada has no other choice than to take the most drastic measures in order to get out of the increasingly oppressive situation.
A brilliantly conducted, tense narration leads the viewer into a psychological drama with a Freudian flair. The director does not hide Hitchcockian inspirations, but his story about dark sexuality, the roles performed even in the closest relationships and about institutions profiting from the spiritual confusion turns out to be very contemporary and universal. Stylish cinematography and cold colours contrast with the bursting emotions hidden beneath the glossy surface, ready to explode.
Pen-ek Ratanaruang
Born in 1962 in Bangkok, considered to be one of leading "Thai New Wave" auteurs, who also significantly contributed to the popularity of Thai cinema on the international forum. His first film which won international recognition, was "6IXTYNIN9" - a Thai Oscar candidate in the non-English language film category. His subsequent productions, especially “Last Life in the Universe”, “Ploy” and “Nymph”, were widely appreciated at international festivals. In his work he reaches both to the classics of world cinema and Thai pop culture, brilliantly combining eccentric aesthetics with an insightful look at contemporary society.
CAST AND CREDITS
director, screenplay: Pen-ek Ratanaruang
cinematography: Chankit Chamnivikaipong
editing: Patamanadda Yukol
music: Koichi Shimizu
cast: Cherman Boonyasak, David Asavanond, Vithaya Pansringarm, Stéphane Sednaoui
producer: Raymond Phathanavirangoon, Rasarin Tanalerttararom
production: Bluering Company Ltd, Augenschein Filmproduktion, Tenk.tv
language: Thai, English
colouration: colour
subtitles: Polish and English
Polish distributor: Pięć Smaków Kino Azji
available formats: DCP, Bluray