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Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Apichatpong WEERASETHAKUL (1970, Thailand) studied Architecture in Thailand and was educated in filmmaking in Chicago. He is one of the few Thai filmmakers who work outside the strict Thai studio system. His films and installations often deal with memory, and address personal, political and social issues. Weerasethakul often adds an unconventional narrative structure to his films, and likes to work with non-actors. His body of work has brought him international recognition and numerous festival prizes, such as a Golden Palm for the film Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives in 2010. In Cannes, Cemetery of Splendour (2015) was nominated in the section Un Certain Regard. In September 2016, Weerasethakul received the prestigious Grote Prins Claus Award.

Filmography

(selection) Dokfar nai meu marn/Mysterious Object at Noon (2000), Haunted Houses (2001, short), Second Love in Hong Kong (2002, short, co-dir), Sud sanaeha/Blissfully Yours (2002), This and a Million More Lights (2003, short), Huajai toranong/The Adventure of Iron Pussy (2003), Sud pralad/Tropical Malady (2004), Ghost of Asia (2005, short, co-dir), Worldly Desires (2005, short), The Anthem (2006, short), Sang sattawat/Syndromes and a Century (2006), Estado do mundo/The State of the World (2007, co-dir), Luminous People (2007, short), Emerald (2007, short), Nimit/Meteorites (2007, short), Vampire (2008, short), Mobile Men (2008, short), A Letter to Uncle Boonmee (2009, short doc), Lung Boonmee raluek chat/Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010), M Hotel (2011, short), Monsoon (2011, short), Ashes (2012, short), Mekong Hotel (2012, short), Sakda (2012, short doc), Fireworks (Archives) (2014, instal), Rak ti Khon Kaen/Cemetery of Splendour (2015), Vapour (2015, short), Blue (2018, short), Ten Years Thailand (2018, co-dir, segment: Song of the City), Memoria (2021)

More info:
Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Wikipedia, Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Apichatpong Weerasethakul at IFFR

  • Syndromes and a Century

    There are filmmakers who return to their childhood for beautiful atmospheric films, but the imaginative Thai master Apichatpong Weerasethakul returns

    • Maestros: Kings & Aces

  • Anthem

    A song to honour the cinema god.

    • Short: As Long As It Takes

  • Mysterious Object at Noon

    Various Thais are invited to tell an episodic story. We soon see aliens, flying balls and kidnappings. Funny, intelligent debut by Weerasethakul.

    • Hubert Bals Fund

  • Worldly Desires

    The makers of the enchanting Tropical Malady return with two crews at the same time to the jungle: one in front of and one behind the camera.

    • Short: As Long As It Takes

  • Ghost of Asia

    Ode to the spirit of life. Made in the framework of remembering the tsunami disaster. Young female Thai film maker lets children make a film with a sp

    • Short: Asian Hot Houses

  • Nimit

    Cabin had to become a film for the King of Thailand, but the maker filmed him at home in his home village. ‘If the king is good, he has to be good eve

    • Exploding Cinema: New Dragon Inns

  • Krasob

    It seems idyllic: Thai children playing with a bag of rice as a boxing bag. But they know they can also kick each other.

    • Exploding Cinema: New Dragon Inns

  • Blissfully Yours

    Primaeval film that shows mankind as pure nature. Idiosyncratic, inventive and mysterious film is about daily things one moment and balances on the br

    • main programme features

  • Mekong Hotel

    Like a backpacker’s dream. On the veranda, with a view of the river, listening to guitar music. Indoors, the spirit of an earlier film.

    • Spectrum Shorts

  • Blue

    A woman lies awake at night. Nearby, a set of scrolled theatre backdrops unrolls to reveal two alternate landscapes.

    • Say No More