Nang Nak
Nang Nak is not especially scary, though it is extremely emotional. It does have some brief horrific moments, however its main purpose is to show the depth of Nak's love for her husband. The acting (especially the two lead roles) and direction are fantastic, though I do have one tiny criticism: the script (by Wisit Sasanatieng, who has since become a great director in his own right) has rather simplistic dialogue - for instance, much of the film is taken up by Nak repeatedly crying her husband's name.
The director of Nang Nak, Nonzee Nimibutr, is practically single-handedly responsible for the international attention Thai cinema is now receiving, as director of 2499 and Nang Nak and producer of Bangkok Dangerous, Tears Of The Black Tiger, Monrak Transistor, and Last Life In The Universe. Nonzee could justifiably be called the godfather of New Thai Cinema.
Labels: films
2 Comments:
Hello,
My name is Justin McDaniel. I am a professor of Thai history and Buddhism at the University of California (Riverside). I have been researching in Thailand and Laos for over 15 years. Usually I work on sixteenth century manuscripts, but lately I have become interested in the depiction of Buddhist monks in modern Thai film. I know next to nothing about the film studies. I wasd interested in your fine description of Nonzee Nimitbut's work.
I will be in Bangkok for a few weeks this summer working in the monastic archives, but I also thought it might be a good chance to meet and interview Nonzee about Nang Nak and his (very good) use of the Pali incantation--Jinapanjara Gatha--in the film.
No you have any contact information for Nonzee? Please contact me at justin.mcdaniel@ucr.edu
Best,
justin
I'm afraid I don't know Nonzee personally, though I do know the film critic of the local English-language newspaper, Kong Rithdee at the Bangkok Post, who is a friend of Nonzee's. I will be seeing him today so I'll mention your interest.
It would be great to meet you when you're here, if you have time.
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