ACF - Asian Cinema Fund

2014 Asian Network of Documentary (AND) Fund

LIST Railway Sleepers

Synopsis

The film allows the audience to experience a 2-day, 2-night trip on the railway, from the north to the south of Thailand.
It is a sunny day. We pass through the longest railway tunnel in the country and buy on-board food from vendors. Outside the window, we see mountains, rice fields, factories, and temples. The train conductor waves flags, giving signals at each station. Unexpectedly, it rains. Tonight, the moon is bright. Some passengers are getting drunk and singing loudly. Others are trying to get some sleep.
The second day starts with orange light. The monks are meditating in their special area. Western tourists enjoy the sun. Swiftly, the train changes its direction, heading south. The whole train is now boarded by a group of Muslim passengers. It is the second night and we are in 2nd Class, with air-conditioning. The seats are being changed into beds. There are also curtains for privacy. In the 1st Class section, the carriage is divided into private rooms. Suddenly we see bright lights projected onto the walls. It is historical black & white film footage of railway travel from the old days.
The last shot is from the top of a high building, overlooking Hualamphong Station; the center of the train system in Thailand.

Director's Note

This film is my attempt to capture Thailand the way I see it. Using the train as a metaphor, I tried to translate what it is that Thai people are facing by jigsaw-ing life snippets together to create a grander narrative of the country. You have, no doubt, heard about the political unrest in Thailand that has been going on for the past 6 years. At the moment, we′re now under yet another military coup. As a citizen, I feel powerless. Mass media and the internet are heavily monitored. This film is my way to communicate my feelings for my homeland, for both its beauty and its problems.

Festivals

2016 Busan International Film Festvial - Wide Angle
2017 Berlin International Film Festival - Panorama
2017 Luang Prabang Film Festival, Laos
2017 HumanDoc International Documentary Film Festival, Poland - Competition
2017 Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM)
2017 Pravo Ljudski Film Festival - Competition Extra Muros
2017 Beijing Underground Film Festival
2017 Wathann Film Festival, Myanmar
2017 Melbourne International Film Festival
2017 The O.P.E.N. Film, Singapore International Festival of Arts
2017 Sherfield International Documentary Festival
2017 Salaya International Documentary Film Festival
2017 True/False Film Fest
2017 World Film Festival of Bangkok, Thailand
2017 Bioscope Awards - Film of the Year
2017 Starpics Thai Film Awards - Best Director, Best Cinematography / Nominated for Best Picture & Best Editing
2017 Bangkok Critics Assembly Awards - Best Cinematography / Nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing & Best New Filmmaker
2017 Thai Film Director Association - Nominated for Best Picture & Best Director
2018 Taiwan International Documentary Festival (TIDF) - Competition

Still Cut

LIST