Homogeneous, Empty Time

  • 103'
  • Thailand
  • 2017

"Ruling the country is for soldiers, not civilians", is a recurring sentiment in this documentary that gets its title from German-Jewish philosopher Walter Benjamin: nationalist ideologies always develop in 'empty time', in places where people share a 'homogeneous consciousness'. Based on this idea, the film observes the causes of rising nationalism in Thailand without comment. Various groups are observed, from military cadets to Buddhists, Muslims and the pupils of a Christian boarding school. Their opinions vary wildly on many subjects, but what unites them is boundless confidence in the monarchy.

Documentary makers Thunska Pansittivorakul and Harit Srikhao shot Homogeneous, Empty Time between the 2014 military coup and the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in October 2016, as the military leaders consolidated their grip on society and countless political opponents were imprisoned. 

Directors
Thunska Pansittivorakul, Harit Srikhao
Countries of production
Thailand, Germany
Year
2017
Festival Edition
IFFR 2018
Length
103'
Medium
DCP
Original title
Soon-ya kal
Language
Thai
Producers
Thunska Pansittivorakul / Sleep of Reason Films, Jürgen Brüning / Jürgen Brüning Filmproduktion
Production Companies
Sleep of Reason Films, Jürgen Brüning Filmproduktion
Sales
Jürgen Brüning Filmproduktion
Cinematography
Harit Srikhao, Harit Srikhao, Watcharapol Paksri, Suppakit Sritrakul, Warat Poonyasiri, Itdhi Phanmanee, Phassarawin Kulsomboon
Editor
Thunska Pansittivorakul, Thunska Pansittivorakul
Music
Chom Chumkasian, Gandhi Wasuvitchayagit
Directors
Thunska Pansittivorakul, Harit Srikhao
Countries of production
Thailand, Germany
Year
2017
Festival Edition
IFFR 2018
Length
103'
Medium
DCP
Original title
Soon-ya kal
Language
Thai
Producers
Thunska Pansittivorakul / Sleep of Reason Films, Jürgen Brüning / Jürgen Brüning Filmproduktion
Production Companies
Sleep of Reason Films, Jürgen Brüning Filmproduktion
Sales
Jürgen Brüning Filmproduktion
Cinematography
Harit Srikhao, Harit Srikhao, Watcharapol Paksri, Suppakit Sritrakul, Warat Poonyasiri, Itdhi Phanmanee, Phassarawin Kulsomboon
Editor
Thunska Pansittivorakul, Thunska Pansittivorakul
Music
Chom Chumkasian, Gandhi Wasuvitchayagit