Manta Ray
Kraben rāhu
A Thai fisherman cares for a wounded man he finds in a coastal woodland where
secretive things occur. Many bodies have been hastily buried there. At
night, lights akin to the souls of the dead roam around. The fisherman calls this man
‘Thongchai’. Although the latter is mute and probably deaf, a great friendship
slowly blossoms. This leads the fisherman to make a decision with far-reaching
consequences. After he goes out fishing and doesn’t come back, Thongchai gradually takes over his
saviour’s life, including the latter’s wife who has returned.
The realism of this
initially simple story melds with magical elements into a complex whole leaving
plenty of room for interpretation. Aroonpheng dedicated his first feature film to the Rohingya, as the dead could be deceased refugees from neighbouring Myanmar.
This poetic homage has won several awards, including Best Film in the Orizzonti section
at the Venice Film Festival.
Film details
- China, France, Thailand
- Year
- 2018
- Festival edition
- IFFR 2019
- Length
- 110"
- Medium/Format
- DCP
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