ลุงบุญมีระลึกชาติ, Loong Boonmee raleuk chat, (Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, 2010)
I really wanted to like the 2010 Cannes Best Award winner. But as usually happens when you have high expectations (because of winning an award) they are not fulfilled as you thought. The film is visually stunning and you can tell how much attention has been paid to the details;
The story is magical, but also very realistic, as communication between the living and the dead seamlessly integrates, and there are other fantasy-related and created moments. But I lost the emotions while watching the movie because it was really mesmerizing.
According to Apichatpong Veerasethakul in an interview, the film has a different acting style, lighting, and reference for each reel, and one can tell that the film has different styles while watching it, which may be due to the six reels of the film. It’s not bad, you just distract yourself and pay less attention to the magical narrative. Maybe the real reason why I didn’t have time to feel the emotions is because the movie has so many layers and one viewing is not enough. Honestly, until I write about the movie, I think I will have to watch it again and definitely find more levels that will allow me to enjoy this masterpiece even more.
The film tells the story of a dying uncle who arranges his affairs before moving on to another life. Transformation, profound life situations and trajectories (like the wonderful first story of the lost buffalo), memories of memories (and past lives), love, dreams of the future (which is also the past), Thai politics and immigration, and ghosts. Magical creatures that visit the living when they need them most. For one thing this story (and film) is not simple; Yet not complicated.
Yes, this is a movie that makes you forget expectations, forget that it won the Palme d’Or, and forget everything I’m telling you. I suggest you watch it with your brain empty (as much as you can), your brain open (as much as you can), and learn a little bit about Thai history so you don’t miss many crucial moments (mainly the end).
Before I Forget, the film is part of a larger multi-platform project called Primitive, which includes installation, video, short films, and now a full-length feature. The conceptual essence is to record Apichatpong’s memory of the Northeast region where he grew up. Two short films are A Letter to Uncle Boonmee (available on MUBI) and Famtome. The film is a blend of conceptual substance with the skeleton of a book published by a monk.
A very unusual movie and an unusual review from me. Know that you need to watch it again to discover emotions, new layers and story details; But one thing I’m pretty sure of now is that the visuals are truly stunning. No more writing about the movie so this is about a movie I wanted to give a BIG rating, but still won’t get it.
