esrosedotblog

SPIRIT WORLD

Today's film was by Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul and was a NYTimes Critics' Pick as well as a Cannes award recipient

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010)

This film shows a traditional world with non-traditional film grammar.

There is a parallel world feeling to most of it.

Sometimes there is a crossover from one world to another.

Uncle Boonmee, a farmer, is dying of kidney disease. This is not a poverty film. Boonmee is reasonably prosperous, has Laotian employees and a family by his side.

As we watch, it is hoped patiently, Uncle's worlds meld and flow back and forth. There is no spooky music or weird shit going on here. It just happens.

We see what he sees as well as the people close to him.

Some of it is fantastic. Some is rather pedestrian.

When he dies there is a shift from the old world of forest and nature to modern settings for the funeral and mourning period. Flourescent light takes over. Teevee.

There is no sledgehammer thing going on here. Just a slow, gentle contrast between the world we have seen for 80% of the film and the world we are in now.

The film is not inaccessible. It is rather clear. It doesn't jump to any conclusion that I couldn't follow.

The language is beautiful to hear. Rhythmic. Tonal. Sweet.

Death is not fearful in this scenario. It is welcome. At one point Boonmee talks about an excitement at the prospect.

There is also not a lot of near death suffering. He is ill but not out of it and is able to be with it all as it passes before his, and our, eyes.

I will give this film a 4 out of Netflix5. I would be more than happy to see it again.

Labels: films