Thamrongrattanarit used to work as one of its scriptwriters, but went independent for his directorial debut, 36 (2012), and the Biennale College-funded
(2013).
, probably based on his own personal experience, explores the daily life of a freelance graphic designer, Yoon. Much of the story reveals the working condition of freelancers in Thailand – overworked, inadequate consumption, lack of friends and social securities.
Yoon’s daily life would remain that way, if one day he did not find some strange rashes on his skin. He goes to see a young and beautiful dermatologist who gives him some prescriptions that have a huge effect on his daily life. After several months of visits, he loses his job but gains something else: cool and sweet memories between two hearts in the modern world.
When
Heart Attack was released in Thailand, responses were divided in the extreme. The director’s fans loved it, while fans of the studio’s other films didn’t know what to make of it – perhaps because Thamrongrattanarit employs his knowledge of arthouse techniques to explore the romantic comedy between the graphic designer and the pretty dermatologist.
Yoon’s chaotic life is mostly shown through the use of handheld camera, but most other shots were captured at a distance. Everything else is left minimal – editing, make-up and acting, in contrast to the over the top performances that are familiar in Thailand.
His signature cool and punchy dialogues still stand out as they do in his books, which explains the loyalty the film received from his fans. Thamrongrattanarit’s writing style is always like that – a kind of sympathetic satire. He makes fun of the out-of-date ways of life and opinions of his elders but he never insults them.
He just plays with them. At the same time, in his coming-of-age setting he makes apparent the things he loves. His mise-en-scene is full of old objects and styles – an old copy machine, nineties bathroom tiles and apartment decor. But they are not presented with crude nostalgia but with love. One scene is clearly influenced by Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks.
With all of its careful control and design, Heart Attack won enough public hearts to become the second-biggest blockbuster of the year and to sweep the annual film awards. A film that should not be overlooked.