Great piece. I've not seen the film but will seek it out. A few things you wrote brought to mind the Thai film Cemetery of Splendour by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. I won't get into any details about the film here (and perhaps you've seen it, anyway). I will just say that I watched it at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago, after having lived in Thailand for a year. It was an arresting experience and was no small influence on my decision to return to Thailand. From the long black screen that begins the film on, I was in the dream.
Thank you. Although it really wasn't all that long ago when it was written, this piece feels pretty far from where I am now so I'm glad that it can still be enjoyed.
I have actually seen Cemetery of Splendour, oddly enough probably around the same time I wrote this piece. It sounds like we had a similarly engrossing experience with it - I watched it on a sleepless night, after I had tried for two solid hours to meditate myself to sleep. Though it didn't work, it did leave me with an incredibly clear and relaxed mind and I was perfectly conditioned to soak in Weerasethakul's matter-of-fact dreaminess. I actually remember it as one of my fondest film-watching experiences, very rarely has my mood so aligned with the film I was watching.
Weerasethakul has also signed the pillar right next to the front desk in the building where I work. Not that I'm one to get overly enthused over an autograph, but it's a nice touch.
Hope things are well with you in Thailand. I spent a great couple of months there a few years back, but I'd love to return and see more of it.
Understood completely re: past writing. In terms of word count, I've certainly deleted more than I've ever published. But I've also (later) deleted far more of what I've published than not, and the days are not rare that I contemplate deleting all of what remains. In any case, yes, I enjoyed this very much.
It pleases me to know that you saw and enjoyed the film, as well as to read about your experience watching it. Interestingly, I attempted years ago to show the film to some Thai people I know, and they struggled to understand the language because it's the Isan dialect from northeastern Thailand, rather than the dialect spoken here, in northern Thailand. Anyway, you might be the only other person I've encountered who has seen and appreciates the film, which is great. (Side note: I saw another of Weerasethakul's older films in Cambodia, and this guy came up to me after with a look of utter disgust on his face. He seemed genuinely offended that my comment in reply—"It definitely wasn't his best work"—wasn't more savage.)
The only others of his films I've seen are Uncle Boonmee, which I really enjoyed, and Mekong Hotel, which I found a bit dull but fine. Thankfully neither of them inspired me to savagery.
I bought Long Day's Journey Into Night shortly after our last exchange and got around to watching it a week or so ago. Great film, and my experience (watching it and since watching it) closely resembles yours. Glad I bought it. The day after watching it, I lucked out and watched another film that I loved, and which I suspect you might also enjoy, based on what you wrote here and in our earlier exchange: Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell. Have you seen it?
I'm glad you found it a worthwile watch. I haven't seen or even heard of Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell, but after briefly looking it up it absolutely seems like something I would enjoy. If I can get my hands on it soon I'll watch it.
Great piece. I've not seen the film but will seek it out. A few things you wrote brought to mind the Thai film Cemetery of Splendour by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. I won't get into any details about the film here (and perhaps you've seen it, anyway). I will just say that I watched it at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago, after having lived in Thailand for a year. It was an arresting experience and was no small influence on my decision to return to Thailand. From the long black screen that begins the film on, I was in the dream.
Thank you. Although it really wasn't all that long ago when it was written, this piece feels pretty far from where I am now so I'm glad that it can still be enjoyed.
I have actually seen Cemetery of Splendour, oddly enough probably around the same time I wrote this piece. It sounds like we had a similarly engrossing experience with it - I watched it on a sleepless night, after I had tried for two solid hours to meditate myself to sleep. Though it didn't work, it did leave me with an incredibly clear and relaxed mind and I was perfectly conditioned to soak in Weerasethakul's matter-of-fact dreaminess. I actually remember it as one of my fondest film-watching experiences, very rarely has my mood so aligned with the film I was watching.
Weerasethakul has also signed the pillar right next to the front desk in the building where I work. Not that I'm one to get overly enthused over an autograph, but it's a nice touch.
Hope things are well with you in Thailand. I spent a great couple of months there a few years back, but I'd love to return and see more of it.
Understood completely re: past writing. In terms of word count, I've certainly deleted more than I've ever published. But I've also (later) deleted far more of what I've published than not, and the days are not rare that I contemplate deleting all of what remains. In any case, yes, I enjoyed this very much.
It pleases me to know that you saw and enjoyed the film, as well as to read about your experience watching it. Interestingly, I attempted years ago to show the film to some Thai people I know, and they struggled to understand the language because it's the Isan dialect from northeastern Thailand, rather than the dialect spoken here, in northern Thailand. Anyway, you might be the only other person I've encountered who has seen and appreciates the film, which is great. (Side note: I saw another of Weerasethakul's older films in Cambodia, and this guy came up to me after with a look of utter disgust on his face. He seemed genuinely offended that my comment in reply—"It definitely wasn't his best work"—wasn't more savage.)
If you're ever back in Thailand, let me know.
The only others of his films I've seen are Uncle Boonmee, which I really enjoyed, and Mekong Hotel, which I found a bit dull but fine. Thankfully neither of them inspired me to savagery.
And I will, thank you.
I bought Long Day's Journey Into Night shortly after our last exchange and got around to watching it a week or so ago. Great film, and my experience (watching it and since watching it) closely resembles yours. Glad I bought it. The day after watching it, I lucked out and watched another film that I loved, and which I suspect you might also enjoy, based on what you wrote here and in our earlier exchange: Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell. Have you seen it?
I'm glad you found it a worthwile watch. I haven't seen or even heard of Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell, but after briefly looking it up it absolutely seems like something I would enjoy. If I can get my hands on it soon I'll watch it.