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25 May 2010

Gay Thai director wins top prize at Cannes

Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul wins the top prize at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival with his sixth film, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, which was described by Tim Burton, head of the jury, as being a "beautiful strange dream" and "full of surprises."

The Bangkok Post reported on May 25:

Apichatpong Weerasethakul (who goes by Joe) gained recognition at film festivals around the world over the years, wining the 2004 jury prize in Cannes for Tropical Malady about gay lovers and a trek to find a metamorphosed tiger. Two years earlier, he gained the festival's Un Certain Regard section's top prize for Blissfully YoursUncle Boonmee was one of 19 films vying for the Palme d'Or, one of the most prestigious awards in cinema. It was only the sixth Asian film to win Cannes' top prize in the festival's seven-decade history. Read more here.

Film-maker Apichatpong Weerasethakul has made history by winning the Palme d'Or [an equivalent to Best Picture] at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival with his film Loong Boonmee Raluek Chat (Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives).

The film is the first from Southeast Asia to win the world's most prestigious film award.

The nine-member jury led by Tim Burton, director of this year's Alice in Wonderland, handed the top prize to Uncle Boonmee amid loud cheers from international journalists who rooted for the dark horse from Thailand.

"This is surreal," Mr Apichatpong, 40, said in his acceptance speech. "I thank all the ghosts and spirits in Thailand that made this possible."

Uncle Boonmee, the most narrative-driven of Mr Apichatpong's films, shows the possible coexistence between humans, ghosts, spirits and animals.

In the story about a northeastern beekeeper who is dying from kidney disease and who is visited by the spirit of his dead wife, the film alludes to the troubled history of the Northeast, the communist uprising, the reincarnation of body and soul, and also provides a meta-thesis on the death and rebirth of cinema through a subtly comical and mystical narrative.


"The world is getting smaller and more westernised, more Hollywood-ised and this is a film where I felt I was watching from another country. It was using fantasy elements but in a way I'd never seen before so I just felt it was like a beautiful, strange dream." – Tim Burton on Uncle Boonmee winning the Palme d'Or.

 

Reader's Comments

1. 2010-05-25 14:43  
YIPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and a million congratulations to K. Apichatpong ! For once and thanks to him, the world will hear about Thailand for something else than the sleazy sex trade !
Comment edited on 2010-05-25 14:45:58
2. 2010-05-25 17:12  
he is really cute and smart, its great news
3. 2010-05-26 00:14  
WAVE THAT RAINBOW FLAG HIGH & PROUD!!!
4. 2010-05-26 04:06  
Congratulations Joe! Your whole corpus of works is great, Im sure this latest movie is nothing short of awesome! Cannot wait to see it
5. 2010-05-26 06:38  
congratulation Joe! your movie is one of the best. it is better than other thai director who try to achieve your goal like you.
6. 2010-05-26 06:59  
I saw Mysterious Object At Noon a long time ago and loved it. I did not quite understand what it meant, but that is perhaps why I liked it. Sure I like Disney-type films as well, but even more so I like films that make me think...a lot more. My faith in him has been validated! Would have been cool to see how big his smile was!
7. 2010-05-26 08:17  
i've just noticed that he is gay
but he is the coolest director that we have

u rock! man
8. 2010-05-26 10:01  
Very cool. I wish I could watch this film with all of you on the fridae.com site!
9. 2010-05-26 10:22  
congrats to u joe! surely u done a great n awesome things! u deserve the best recognition!
10. 2010-05-26 12:10  
@yveserwan "the sleazy sex trade !" Bollock!
No wonder, he stays in Pattaya. You are what you eat...
Comment #11 was deleted by an administrator on 2010-05-26 14:04
Comment #12 was deleted by an administrator on 2010-05-26 14:04
13. 2010-05-26 16:16  
That's a great news!

Wish I could watch it soon but this kind of films is always screened a lot later than in most places, even if they were made in Thailand!

So far, "Syndrome and a Century" and "The Adventure of Iron Pussy" are still my fav. ;-)
14. 2010-05-26 20:01  
So, what does this have to do with his being gay? If he had been a heterosexual, would your headline have read Non-gay Thai director wins top prize?
15. 2010-05-26 20:20  
Super Congratulations!!
16. 2010-05-26 21:33  
OH MY GOD!!!
He is gay too???

I just have a date with
one of his gay actor f
rom dangerous object last week hehehe:-)
17. 2010-05-26 22:22  
1. how does the writer know the director is gay?
2. is the director openly gay?
3. even the director is openly gay, does the writer have the permission from the director himself to announce that the director is gay by writing such title?

18. 2010-05-26 23:05  
i wish this film will be shown around Asia.. congratz!
19. 2010-05-26 23:16  
Q&A: Apichatpong Weerasethakul
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/asia/news/e3i4a68f0689d02bf9e3bf7ce9b63e27e8d

THR: Do you have a family, a lover, is family a part of your life?

Weerasethakul: What do you mean? Do you mean am I married? I have a lover, he is a student (laughs), an artist, a photographer.
20. 2010-05-26 23:23  
And from The Advocate > July 5, 2005:

'Young Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul blames his film career for not having a boyfriend. Talking in San Francisco recently on the occasion of a U.S. retrospective in his honor, he explains, "I think guys are afraid of me because to be with me now would mean being so public, and in Thailand people prefer not to attract attention. Me too. But it's too late for that now; it's my karma." I promise "Joe" (as he likes to be called in the West) I'll include this detail for Advocate readers: Yes, he's gay, and he's available.'

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Tiger+by+the+tale:+out+Thai+director+Apichatpong+Weerasethakul...-a0134170524
Comment edited on 2010-05-26 23:24:23
21. 2010-05-27 00:01  
Congratulations!!!!!
i didnt know he is gay!!!!
Oh goody!
22. 2010-05-27 00:02  
Congratulations!!!!!
i didnt know he is gay!!!!
r u sure?
Oh goody!
23. 2010-05-27 00:57  
I like how "Tropical Malady" is not the typical melodramatic Asian gay love movie... although it does have some thigh rubbing moments, etc. The atmosphere in that 'gay' movie is quite alike to the one in the movie trailer above.

Congrats to Apichatpong for successfully enchanting a panel of judges again with lush tropical forest mysticism.
24. 2010-05-27 13:43  
oh my god~
25. 2010-05-27 17:02  
Kuman, the fact he is gay, unless its a false information, there more reasons to applause and be proud of him. Otherwise, this article can go under 'Fridae Movie Club'. Dont have to be anti-climax.
26. 2010-05-28 18:46  
to tequila_me comment #10...

OOOPS ! I had almost forgotten my Thai basics, so... thank you sooo much for reminding me. And for any Fridae members who do not know what the basics are, allow me to remind them :

1. There IS NO sleazy sex trade in Thailand. Any impression to the contrary is an illusion, there are no "fucking shows", no brothels, no go go bars, these are a pure invention of some sick foreign minds who want nothing but sling mud at this country.

2. Most of the tourists who come to Thailand are strictly here to visit the temples, and these temples are famous all over the world. They are called Angkor Wat, Pagan, Borobudur and they are sooooo Thai and sooooo beautiful.

3. Apart from the temples there are many cultural things to do in Thailand, such as eating, shopping, going to the beach, eating, going to the beach, shopping, eating, going the beach and seeing Iron Man 2 in one of those typically Thai shopping malls which are such resplendant examples of Thai architecture and traditions.

4. The ONLY places where prostitution exists are Patpong district in Bangkok, and Pattaya (a seaside resort 2 hours from Bkk). These places exist ONLY because some dirty old WHITE men from the west (and ONLY the west, not China, not Korea, not Japan, not Singapore, not Taiwan) come here and prey on the poor young boys and girls who are sooooo destitute they can't possibly do anything but sell their body. However and thank God for that, ALL the money these poor boys and girls collect from the said dirty old white guys in exchange for sex service is sent to the family and used for educating the young, buying buffalos, repairing the house and paying for funerals. None of it is used for drugs, gambling, drinking, partying ... or buying other prostitutes. There again any impression to the contrary is false, just more western propaganda against Thailand.
If you happen to see "karaoke" bars in any other district which look suspiciously like brothels, it is also an illusion. There are no such karaokes especially not in provincial towns where no westerner ever goes, and why is there no prostitution in those smaller towns ? well, because no westerner ever goes, that's why.

5. there is no violence whatsoever in Thailand. No self-respecting Thai would ever take to the street and demonstrate in violent ways, or set fire to shopping malls (because of their "cultural monuments" status they are highly respected - cf point#3) or call anyone names, or raise his hand on anybody. Thais are notoriously gentle, sweet, respectful, polite, patient, wise, and that's why their country is called the Land of Smiles.

6. There is no hypocrisy in Thailand. People in Thailand do NOT lie or pretend or make up stories, because they are mostly Buddhists and Buddhists don't lie or pretend or make up stories. They're too busy smiling anyway.

I live here, so I smile all the time too. And I live in Pattaya therefore I'm a dirty old white guy who thinks of nothing else but sleazy sex and perverting young Thai boys. However, I do it with a big smile on my face.

Thank you again for the lesson in patriotism, tequila, and... cheers !
Comment edited on 2010-05-28 18:48:15
27. 2010-05-28 20:48  
hahaha Yveserwan you are a genius !!! :-))
28. 2010-05-28 23:20  
Congratulation!! but I didn't know he is gay. ;)
29. 2010-05-29 09:03  
Sex trade exists in ALL countries. You just need to know where to look for it. To stereotype a country into one negative is clearly discriminating and patronizing. Writing 6 unnecessary paragraphs of slight speaks volume of how a limited mind can believe what it chooses to interpret. Sawadee Cuppa. :D
30. 2010-05-29 10:55  
The limited mind is yours jammygirl. Considering who you appear to be through your profile (an EMPTY profile) and your ever aggressive, condescending, narrow minded, pretentious and shallow comments on this board, I think yveserwan should actually be honoured and pleased to be disliked by you, and relieved that you should disagree with him one more time.
This time your prose shows two more aspects of your "limited mind" :
- you have no sense of humour whatsoever
- you don't see that, behind the irony of his comment, yveserwan is actually and PRECISELY criticizing stereotypes and people who can't think outside of them... people like you, for instance.
31. 2010-05-29 11:02  
Danu, thanks for your enthusiastic support of my comment, and honestly I don't think you should waste your time arguing with that jammyboi ghost. Ever since I joined fridae I've seen him attacking and insulting other members who wrote on the board, trying to provoke their anger with silly comments of all kinds, and repeatedly accusing them of his own basic problems ie negativity, stereotyping, and patronizing. I have long ago ceased to be affected in the least by this buffoon :-)

I just wish to add that my very first comment was EXTREMELY positive about Thailand, a country where I live and which I love. It saddens me when i realize that this country is SYSTEMATICALLY assumed to be "whore-land" by people around the world, especially those who haven't set a foot here or by others who visited it on a short term basis, more than often as sheer sex-tourists.
That said, I also resent the hypocritical attitude which is very common here among most Thais (and also a lot of expats) and which consists in a total denial of the country's actual problems. Every country has its problems, and Thailand has more than its share. Denying them won't EVER help to solve them.
One comment was based on this typical form of denial and that's what sparked my ironic "6 points" response therafter.
Comment edited on 2010-05-29 11:38:57
32. 2010-05-29 14:39  
and after all that irelevant diatribe from certain usuals.....................

congratualtions to Apichatpong Weerasethakul, you do yourself and your country proud.
Comment edited on 2010-05-29 14:49:49
33. 2010-05-29 14:50  
"the usuals" of which you are one, Jupiter.
34. 2010-05-29 15:20  
right, and talking of diatribes, this is "jupiter strikes back" actually, because obviously the guy is angry and frustrated for being told off a while ago. Someone ought to tell him that a comment board is meant for comments, and that, in spite of his godly (and ever so modest) name, he's not a moderator (thanks God and Fridae) therefore it's not for him to decide who gets to say what. A comment board, Jupity, not the meeting room in some boarding school for teenage girls.
35. 2010-05-29 15:24  
Oh and i'm glad you finally condescended to post your pics, Lord Jupiter, because now I know that you look exactly like you sound :-)))
especially the first pic, the one in your blue briefs... a wonderfully inspiring image of intelligence, modesty, tolerance and compassion, thank you soooo much for shining on us so !
Comment edited on 2010-05-29 15:27:24
36. 2010-05-29 17:22  
..... Congratulation.. Joe


Thank for your comments, yveserwan...

Biased...



37. 2010-05-29 17:33  
This movie has had much publicity here in Australia, with glowing reviews, in the media and press, as I am sure it has all over the world.

Hope this inspires Apichatpong Weerasethakul onto even greater challenges as he and other directors from un- "Hollywood-ised" (to use Tim Burtons term) countries cut inroads in the field of cinema in the future.
Comment edited on 2010-05-29 17:42:37
38. 2010-05-29 18:03  
me no english! me love you long time!!!
39. 2010-05-29 19:53  
From the trailer it looks beautifully filmed, wonder who the DOP was. Looking forward to seeing it.
40. 2010-05-30 11:37  
"For once and thanks to him, the world will hear about "the West" for something else than "a colony of arrogant white trash !"
Hmm...that's about right. How's that for similar stereotype?

#31, your usual forked tongue reveal the true snake that you are. This article is about celebration of Thailand's triumph. Do we need your irrelevant lonely planet "reminder" on the negatives of something not related? Like in your own earlier mundane postings elsewhere in one of the pink dot events, you yourself slighted some killjoy for making it about himself when everyone else was congratulating the mother daughter team on their loving relationship, or your unwarranted resentment on being appropriately stereotyped for staying in Pattaya. Hmm, guess when you don't get your own 15 nano secs of fame, your sit on your old ghostly patronising throne and lash out. Tsk, tsk, such unbecoming tomfoolery .
Comment #41 was deleted by an administrator on 2010-05-30 18:33
Comment #42 was deleted by an administrator on 2010-05-30 18:33
43. 2010-05-30 23:06  
Wonder what will happen to the kwai Lo who claimed to "live in and love" Thailand too, but was caught on tape instigating the recent Central World Burning riot, now pending a death sentence? He's pleading distress for his misdeeds. Such hypocrisy after being caught. Zzz :P

#30 - clearly your usual infantile venom knows no limits, so feel free to consume yourself in your own toxic poison. OMG-Boring !!!
Sometimes, it's best to let trashy tired queens like u have their ways. :) Not really my thing to waste more time on such mindless cesspools. How's that for accurate humour?! :D

And yes, Viva Thailand. Such a beautiful country. Just needs to clean up on some of its imported trash.
Comment edited on 2010-05-31 00:12:13
44. 2010-05-31 18:51  
I always enjoy Thai movies in this genre, as I do Japanese as well it's always gr8 to see men do well in their pursuits and being recognised for being some thing other than being professionally homosexuals...in this case a celebrated movie director and the movie was not not gay themed. a man of our times no doubt
45. 2010-05-31 18:59  
PS I think it's applaudable that a white man can go to Thailand or Asia in general and not participate in sexploiting Asian youth and to speak out against this, it shows a healthy respect towards Asian youth, the times they are a changing (;-)).... long time coming
46. 2010-05-31 19:31  
yveserwan obviously has an unhealthy dislike of Thailand and its people. I suggest he should stop spreading hatred, pack his bags and go home to whatever wonderful country he came from.
47. 2010-06-01 08:07  
Reading through some of the drama here, both yveserwan and danubtm22 should just shut the fcuk up. No one is interested in both your whiny ugly rants here. Stop making fools of yourselves already. Bloody classless disgrace!

I travel extensively and I respect the people and places I visit. I look for the beauty in each country and I appreciate the host for extending the hospitality to all visitors. Never take anything for granted.

Well done Thailand on yet another crowning glory. I look forward to visiting your beautiful country again soon. Stay magical.
48. 2010-06-02 12:39  
I'm so happy my country win such big award. The movie is very different. Khun Apichatpong is a very talented and respected man. We proud he's also one of us family.

Many many go club in bangkok and we easy to spot common farang faces. danu22btm recognised him always common. Very bad reputation, bad mouth, not nice, bad news. Stay away.
49. 2010-06-02 13:55  
haha that's a good one, LOL !!
I NEVER go to the clubs in Bangkok. I don't LIKE this kind of place because I don't like loud and bad music, crowds, attitude (especially of the divine type) and cigarette smoke. So... Divine.... you can put your snake tongue back where it belongs... up your divine a...
50. 2010-06-02 14:00  
Oh, and one more thing : for anyone who lives here in thailand, it is VERY obvious that your "broken english" or "Thai english" as you'd probably call it, is totally fake. Thais do not speak or write english like this AT ALL. Your attempt sounds like Inspector Clouzot's "French" accent ie not French at all, but typically American-putting-on-a-French-accent. Try again, jammyboi, because obviously you're the pathetic coward who's hiding behind this "divine" fake profile
51. 2010-06-02 14:05  
comments 46, 47 : more avatars of Jammyboi hahaha, ever heard the term "overkill" sweetie ? how many more fake profiles do you have to use in order to express your hatred ? you're trying so hard to sling mud at Yveserwan and me that it just falls back on your face :-))
52. 2010-06-02 14:18  
Don't let yourself get upset Danu, I've been on Fridae for years and believe me, all the serious members here know about that jammyboi guy and his multiprofile strategy for insulting and smearing. Don't honour him with a reply, he's not worth the trouble.
53. 2010-06-02 18:30  
Haha..I'm so flattered that I'm so many things 2 you,smelly btm22. Seems u are the ONLY 1 instead with multiple profiles. You keep spamming support 4 your altered ego sugar mommy yveserwan in other articles & then just look at both of ALL your postings here (26-27, 30-31, 33-35, 49-52), they are always BACK to BACk within minutes of each other. How is such coincidence even possible more than once! Such low level tricks. NO CLASS NO CREDIBILITY! Loser. I have never ever been accused by anyone here 4 multiple profiling b4 but instead was the one who highlighted such abuses to Fridae some time back by some users (perhaps it's you rehashed!) Haha. So, altered ego aunty yvesserwan , how could u even subvert the truth if u claimed 2 be a member for years? Bollocks! I don't need multiple profiles 2 call pieces of trash, TRASH. I can easily take u with one middle finger! So, don't pollute with your toxic poison here. Judging from both your desperate ass shots in your sleazy profiles, it's clear no one wants 2 get near 2 trashy cunts like u.
Comment edited on 2010-06-02 22:30:13
54. 2010-06-02 18:39  
PS: Grow up slutty school girl(s). Stop screaming 2 get your way here. I can see playing with unwashed sex toys has clearly infected you with mental diseases already. :)

PPS: Remember now you "2" deluded old queens in a pod, everyone that disagrees with you here and anywhere in life is ME in multiple disguises. Sleep tight and keep telling "yourselves" everything revolves around you. Yawn Zzz.
Comment edited on 2010-06-02 22:29:36
55. 2010-06-02 22:45  
PPPS: Hey smelly btm22 and your aunty yveserwan, you "both" should move to Uganda. I hear they love "curing" losers like you with their African poo poo. :-)
You can try spamming support again for your aunty yveserwan in Uganda, am sure he'll look real tribal for redemption. Amen !!!

There, 3 for 3. :-)))
Comment edited on 2010-06-02 23:54:26
56. 2010-06-02 23:59  
wow...one thing for sure, Jammyboi, you are one VERY sick dude...
57. 2010-06-03 00:44  
Boo hoo hoo, oh jammyboi you're so sick...boo hoo hoo... Zzz !

Yea, As above So below and as Sick Is so as Sick Does. :D

Smellybtm22. The only sure thing here is that you ARE the one with the mental diseases and is pure POISON. It's always fun to catch a loser like you with your flaming dress down.
Now get & stay the fcuk off my face and bring your aunty with you to Uganda! Moron! LOL...:-))
Comment edited on 2010-06-03 02:05:14
Comment #58 was deleted by its author on 2010-06-04 16:48

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