Apichatpong Weerasethakul Films

Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul (often referred to by his nickname ‘Joe’) is one of the most exciting and innovative talents currently working in world cinema, yet in spite of numerous awards at major film festivals - his latest work, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, has just won the Palme d’Or at Cannes - his name is not wel... show more >

Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul (often referred to by his nickname ‘Joe’) is one of the most exciting and innovative talents currently working in world cinema, yet in spite of numerous awards at major film festivals - his latest work, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, has just won the Palme d’Or at Cannes - his name is not well known outside of the most devout arthouse circles.

Watching an Apichatpong film is a truly mesmerising experience.

He has a remarkable flair for astonishing imagery - a tree lit up by fireflies in the jungle in Tropical Malady, a pump sucking up smoke in Syndromes and a Century. His sensual, often erotic imagery (a lengthy sex scene in Blissfully Yours, a gay romance in Tropical Malady) and, by western standards, gentle satire of Buddhism (in Syndromes…) have led to his films being heavily censored in Thailand. All his films boast an ethereal quality, and can lead the viewer to thinking they are witness to a beautiful daydream.

His wayward narratives (in some of his films the ‘opening’ credits appear half way through the running time) and almost indescribable plots (the bizarre events of Syndromes… are almost impossible to summarise) may give the impression that his films are inaccessible. Certainly no one else is making films like these, but every cinephile owes it to him - or herself to see an Apichatpong work at least once in their lives. < show less