Manta Ray

Thailand, 105 min, 2018, Thai with English Subtitles

Near a coastal village of Thailand, by the sea where thousands of Rohingya refugees have drowned, a local fisherman finds an injured man lying unconscious in the forest. He rescues the stranger, who does not speak a word, offers him his friendship and names him Thongchai. But when the fisherman suddenly disappears at sea, Thongchai slowly begins to take over his friend’s life – his house, his job and his ex-wife

Writer/Director: Phuttiphong Aroonpheng
Producers: Mai Meksawan, Jakrawal Nilthamrong, Chatchai Chaiyon, Philippe Avril
Main Cast: Wanlop Rungkumjad Rasmee Wayrana Aphisit Hama
Cinematographer: Nawarophaat Rungphiboonsophit
Sound: Chalermrat Kaweewattana, Arnaud Rolland, Charles Bussienne
Editing: Lee Chatametikool, Harin Paesongthai
Colorist: Yov Moor
Production Design: Sarawut Karwnamyen
Music: Christine Ott, Mathieu Gabry (Snowdrops)

AWARD

• Orizzonti Award for Best Film, 2018 Venice Film Festival
• Golden Gateway Award, 2018 Mumbai Film Festival
• Special Jury Award for Best Director, 2018 Thessaloniki International Film Festival
• Best Artistic Achievement Award for Cinematography, 2018 Thessaloniki International Film Festival
• Human Values Award by Greek Parliament, 2018 Thessaloniki International Film Festival
• Special Jury Award, 2018 Minsk International Film Festival
• Special Mention of the Jury Award, 2018 Zagreb Film Festival
• Silver Pyramid Award for Best Director, 2018 Cairo International Film Festival
• Grand Prix, 2019 Annonay International First Film Festival
• Special Mention Award, 2019 Cabourg International Film Festival

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Ferris Wheel (Exclusive short film)

Thailand, 24.30 min, Thai with English Subtitles

A stateless woman crosses the river between Thailand and Myanmar with her 5-year-old son to find a job in the city. On their journey, they meet a mysterious monkey mascot who takes them to an unexpected destination with a colorful Ferris wheel.

Synopsis:
A stateless woman crosses the river between Thailand and Myanmar with her 5-year-old son to find a job in the city. On their journey, they meet a mysterious monkey mascot who takes them to an unexpected destination with a colorful Ferris wheel.

Director’s Statement:

April 2008 in the south of Thailand, Inside a refrigerated truck designed to transport seafood, a group of 121 Stateless and Burmese women, men and children were suffocating inside, just hoping to make it to their destination. They are willing to risk their lives in search of what they believe to be a better life. When this truck was seized, 54 of the migrant workers had perished, including a young woman with her baby-son. Ferris Wheel is my short film dedicated to those victims especially mother and son.

I do wish and hope that the film can reflect this fragility and imperfection of human. At the end, I just would like to make a film with a good intention towards human beings, which I guess is the main reason why I would like to make this film.

Cast&Crew
Producers: Chatchai Chaiyon, Jakrawal Nilthamrong
Director/ Script writer/ Editor: Phuttiphong Aroonpheng
Camera: Nawarophaat Rungphiboonsophit
Sound: Chalermrat Kaweewattana
Music Composser: Wuttipong Leetrakul
Gaffer: Kumjorn Sankwan
Cast: Kitinun Jaiyen, Jarunun Phantachat, Knakron Sintubulkul