Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives
2010 film directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Film · TMDB
6.6Suffering from acute kidney failure, Boonmee has chosen to spend his final days surrounded by his loved ones in the countryside. Surprisingly, the ghost of his deceased wife appears to care for him, and his long lost son returns home in a non-human form. Contemplating the reasons for his illness, Boonmee treks through the jungle with his family to a mysterious hilltop cave—the birthplace of his first life.
Released: 2010-06-25114 minDir: Apichatpong WeerasethakulDrama, Fantasy
Cast
- Thanapat Saisaymar as Boonmee
- Jenjira Pongpas as Jen
- Sakda Kaewbuadee as Tong
- Natthakarn Aphaiwonk as Huay
- Geerasak Kulhong as Boonsong
- Wallapa Mongkolprasert as Princess
Themes
~12 min read
Article
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (Thai: ลุงบุญมีระลึกชาติ; RTGS: Lung Bunmi Raluek Chat) is a 2010 Thai fantasy drama film written, produced, and directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. The film, which explores themes of reincarnation, centers on the last days in the life of its title character, played by Thanapat Saisaymar. Together with his loved ones—including the spirit of his dead wife, Huay, and his lost son, Boonsong, who has returned in a non-human form—Boonmee explores his past lives as he contemplates the reasons for his illness.
The film was inspired by the 1983 book A Man Who Can Recall His Past Lives by Buddhist abbot Phra Sripariyattiweti. The film is the final installment in a multi-platform art project by Apichatpong called "Primitive". It premiered at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Palme d'Or, becoming the first Thai film to do so. Several critics and publications consider it to be one of the greatest films ever made.