Manta Ray
Original Title
Kraben rahu- Director: Phuttiphong Aroonpheng
- Writer: Phuttiphong Aroonpheng
- Producer: Philippe Avril; Jakrawal Nilthamrong; Mai Meksawan; Chatchai Chaiyon
CGiii Comment
An intriguing beginning...a man adorned with fairy lights walks through a forest covered in fairly lights...visually, it's stunning. But, what does it all mean? The director gives you plenty of time to mull it over.
A perplexing middle...a peroxide-blonde man finds an unconscious man deep in the mangroves, he extricates him without any trouble, nurses him and allows him to share his home and life...and, he doesn't utter a word [throughout the entire film]! The villagers perceive them as a married couple...up until the peroxide-blonde disappears. In walks his pregnant ex-wife, who shacks up with the mute foundling...and then she bleaches his hair! What does it all mean? Seemingly, this film is a damning indictment on how [badly] the Rohingya are treated in Thailand...however, being so utterly abstract, that damning [and important] 'message' is all but lost.
And, not just a cacophonous ending...but one that will cause your jaw to slam uncontrollably onto the floor...it's cryptic...perhaps, surreal...in truth, it's just plain stupid.
But, hey...Manta Ray has won a multitude of awards...what the hell do we know!?!
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
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.
Cast & Characters
Aphisit Hama as Thongchai;
Wanlop Rungkumjad as Fisherman;
Rasmee Wayrana as Saijai