Come and See

As you all know Thai Cinema as a whole has never impressed me, beside from the films of Apichatpong Weerasethakul at best I find thai films extremely misguided and disappointing and at worst terribly meaningless and even offensive to moviegoers, filmmakers and what makes cinema, Cinema and am Thai myself. Am however glad to say that 2019's Come and See standout and is by a long shot one of the best and most unique non Weerasethakul Thai films ever made. It instantly differentiate itself by being a feature length documentary, a rare breed in Thai cinema indeed and it captivates even more with its subject. The film essentially is about the clash of politics, faith, religion and Modern Thailand and its corruption seen through the lens of the controversial Thai Buddhist temple "Dhammakaya" and the infamous events that took place in late 2010s. I must say after the film was over I actually stand up and applaud, the first Thai film I ever do that for. Director Nottapon Boonprakob brillantly snapshots the conflict and explores the film's heavy themes with a hypnotic and truly atmospheric texture that blends well with the film's constant questions of morality, humanity and corruption, pretty much interrogating the audience more then the people involved in this story, bluntly and uncompromising asking them what do they believe in, what do they see, how do they feel without giving an actual answer. It's all left to the audience's interpretation and beliefs, for a normal audience this might not sound like much but for Thai cinema it is extremely refreshing and even brave to see a film that doesn't take sides, that presents the audience with questions and asks them before leaving it on just that, that's what they get, food for thought, a rare thing for Thai films to have especially the commercially produced nightmares. The film might have its flaws, the middle part definitely feels a bit dragged out and the head talking Interviews definitely gets a bit tiring and blend to watch after a while, I certainly enjoy the beginning minutes more when theres no talking heads and it just presents clips after clips after clips that truly provoke thought and feelings almost like something out of a Chris Marker documentary but still Come and See is truly a remarkable achievement. Its flawed but highly engaging and intense and the rope that hangs the entire picture together, the conversations of morality and its mystery and emotional and moral ambiguity perfectly balances and hold everything together. The film is also beautifully shot and overall it's a really hypnotic and perplexing time that will really get you thinking long after its over and thinking in today's Thai Cinema is certainly something that is sorely missing and is highly welcomed. Nottapon Boonprakob with his short yet packed feature gave the audience respect and intelligence. Thumbs up on all front for his bravery, honesty, sincerity and one thing ever filmmaker needs, curiosity. Curiosity not for his bias or views but simply for the truth.

As you all know Thai Cinema as a whole has never impressed me, beside from the films of Apichatpong Weerasethakul at best I find thai films extremely misguided and disappointing and at worst terribly meaningless and even offensive to moviegoers, filmmakers and what makes cinema, Cinema and am Thai myself. Am however glad to say that 2019's Come and See standout and is by a long shot one of the best and most unique non Weerasethakul Thai films ever made. It instantly differentiate itself by being a feature length documentary, a rare breed in Thai cinema indeed and it captivates even more with its subject. The film essentially is about the clash of politics, faith, religion and Modern Thailand and its corruption seen through the lens of the controversial Thai Buddhist temple "Dhammakaya" and the infamous events that took place in late 2010s. I must say after the film was over I actually stand up and applaud, the first Thai film I ever do that for. Director Nottapon Boonprakob brillantly snapshots the conflict and explores the film's heavy themes with a hypnotic and truly atmospheric texture that blends well with the film's constant questions of morality, humanity and corruption, pretty much interrogating the audience more then the people involved in this story, bluntly and uncompromising asking them what do they believe in, what do they see, how do they feel without giving an actual answer. It's all left to the audience's interpretation and beliefs, for a normal audience this might not sound like much but for Thai cinema it is extremely refreshing and even brave to see a film that doesn't take sides, that presents the audience with questions and asks them before leaving it on just that, that's what they get, food for thought, a rare thing for Thai films to have especially the commercially produced nightmares. The film might have its flaws, the middle part definitely feels a bit dragged out and the head talking Interviews definitely gets a bit tiring and blend to watch after a while, I certainly enjoy the beginning minutes more when theres no talking heads and it just presents clips after clips after clips that truly provoke thought and feelings almost like something out of a Chris Marker documentary but still Come and See is truly a remarkable achievement. Its flawed but highly engaging and intense and the rope that hangs the entire picture together, the conversations of morality and its mystery and emotional and moral ambiguity perfectly balances and hold everything together. The film is also beautifully shot and overall it's a really hypnotic and perplexing time that will really get you thinking long after its over and thinking in today's Thai Cinema is certainly something that is sorely missing and is highly welcomed. Nottapon Boonprakob with his short yet packed feature gave the audience respect and intelligence. Thumbs up on all front for his bravery, honesty, sincerity and one thing ever filmmaker needs, curiosity. Curiosity not for his bias or views but simply for the truth.

As you all know Thai Cinema as a whole has never impressed me, beside from the films of Apichatpong Weerasethakul at best I find thai films extremely misguided and disappointing and at worst terribly meaningless and even offensive to moviegoers, filmmakers and what makes cinema, Cinema and am Thai myself. Am however glad to say that 2019's Come and See standout and is by a long shot one of the best and most unique non Weerasethakul Thai films ever made. It instantly differentiate itself by being a feature length documentary, a rare breed in Thai cinema indeed and it captivates even more with its subject. The film essentially is about the clash of politics, faith, religion and Modern Thailand and its corruption seen through the lens of the controversial Thai Buddhist temple "Dhammakaya" and the infamous events that took place in late 2010s. I must say after the film was over I actually stand up and applaud, the first Thai film I ever do that for. Director Nottapon Boonprakob brillantly snapshots the conflict and explores the film's heavy themes with a hypnotic and truly atmospheric texture that blends well with the film's constant questions of morality, humanity and corruption, pretty much interrogating the audience more then the people involved in this story, bluntly and uncompromising asking them what do they believe in, what do they see, how do they feel without giving an actual answer. It's all left to the audience's interpretation and beliefs, for a normal audience this might not sound like much but for Thai cinema it is extremely refreshing and even brave to see a film that doesn't take sides, that presents the audience with questions and asks them before leaving it on just that, that's what they get, food for thought, a rare thing for Thai films to have especially the commercially produced nightmares. The film might have its flaws, the middle part definitely feels a bit dragged out and the head talking Interviews definitely gets a bit tiring and blend to watch after a while, I certainly enjoy the beginning minutes more when theres no talking heads and it just presents clips after clips after clips that truly provoke thought and feelings almost like something out of a Chris Marker documentary but still Come and See is truly a remarkable achievement. Its flawed but highly engaging and intense and the rope that hangs the entire picture together, the conversations of morality and its mystery and emotional and moral ambiguity perfectly balances and hold everything together. The film is also beautifully shot and overall it's a really hypnotic and perplexing time that will really get you thinking long after its over and thinking in today's Thai Cinema is certainly something that is sorely missing and is highly welcomed. Nottapon Boonprakob with his short yet packed feature gave the audience respect and intelligence. Thumbs up on all front for his bravery, honesty, sincerity and one thing ever filmmaker needs, curiosity. Curiosity not for his bias or views but simply for the truth.

As you all know Thai Cinema as a whole has never impressed me, beside from the films of Apichatpong Weerasethakul at best I find thai films extremely misguided and disappointing and at worst terribly meaningless and even offensive to moviegoers, filmmakers and what makes cinema, Cinema and am Thai myself. Am however glad to say that 2019's Come and See standout and is by a long shot one of the best and most unique non Weerasethakul Thai films ever made. It instantly differentiate itself by being a feature length documentary, a rare breed in Thai cinema indeed and it captivates even more with its subject. The film essentially is about the clash of politics, faith, religion and Modern Thailand and its corruption seen through the lens of the controversial Thai Buddhist temple "Dhammakaya" and the infamous events that took place in late 2010s. I must say after the film was over I actually stand up and applaud, the first Thai film I ever do that for. Director Nottapon Boonprakob brillantly snapshots the conflict and explores the film's heavy themes with a hypnotic and truly atmospheric texture that blends well with the film's constant questions of morality, humanity and corruption, pretty much interrogating the audience more then the people involved in this story, bluntly and uncompromising asking them what do they believe in, what do they see, how do they feel without giving an actual answer. It's all left to the audience's interpretation and beliefs, for a normal audience this might not sound like much but for Thai cinema it is extremely refreshing and even brave to see a film that doesn't take sides, that presents the audience with questions and asks them before leaving it on just that, that's what they get, food for thought, a rare thing for Thai films to have especially the commercially produced nightmares. The film might have its flaws, the middle part definitely feels a bit dragged out and the head talking Interviews definitely gets a bit tiring and blend to watch after a while, I certainly enjoy the beginning minutes more when theres no talking heads and it just presents clips after clips after clips that truly provoke thought and feelings almost like something out of a Chris Marker documentary but still Come and See is truly a remarkable achievement. Its flawed but highly engaging and intense and the rope that hangs the entire picture together, the conversations of morality and its mystery and emotional and moral ambiguity perfectly balances and hold everything together. The film is also beautifully shot and overall it's a really hypnotic and perplexing time that will really get you thinking long after its over and thinking in today's Thai Cinema is certainly something that is sorely missing and is highly welcomed. Nottapon Boonprakob with his short yet packed feature gave the audience respect and intelligence. Thumbs up on all front for his bravery, honesty, sincerity and one thing ever filmmaker needs, curiosity. Curiosity not for his bias or views but simply for the truth.