International Festival Premiere | In Competition
Thailand, 2026, 140’, Thai
Directed by: Chayanop Boonprakob, Atta Hemwadee, Baz Poonpiriya
Screenplay: Chayanop Boonprakob, Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn, Baz Poonpiriya, Sopana Chaowwiwatkul, Atta Hemwadee
Cinematography (color): Tawanwad Wanavit, Phaklao Jiraungkoonkun, Pasit Tandaechanurat
Editing: Panayu Kunvalee, Peeradol Amarin, Supawit Buaket, Natthaphon Timmuang
Production Design: Luksamee Endoo
Music: Vichaya Vatanasapt
Producers: Vanridee Pongsittisak, Baz Poonpiriya
Executive Producers: Jina Osothsilp, Jira Maligool, Preeyawan Bhuwakul, Vijipat Kojiw, Boosaba Daorueng, Paiboon Damrongchaitham
Cast: Yasushi Kitajima, Poe Mamhe Thar, Jinjett Wattanasin, Tontawan Tantivejakul, and three dogs Kori, Meechok, and Hima
Date of First release in Territory: April 2nd, 2026
There are so many movies in the world that reflect the bond between humans and dogs. But few of them will ever touch the friendship between humans and stray dogs which are common in Asia.
Gohan is one of these few, especially with the fact that his lifetime is told through the eyes of three directors, some of whom have long adopted stray dogs in real life.
The film is divided into three parts, depicting three stages of life of a stray dog and his three owners. At his early age, the puppy makes friends with an old Japanese expat in Thailand: they meet each other every day in front of a 24-hour convenience store, which is usually a hangout place for most dogs in Thailand. He is later adopted by the old man who also names him Gohan. Gohan’s life turns upside down after the old man dies of Covid. He is transferred to a poor shelter run by a mischievous man who makes money from the public’s donation. Seeing this guy’s true colors, his helper – an illegal Burmese immigrant – decides to release all dogs from the shelter. But Gohan insists on staying with her. Under the new name of Brownie, he and his poor owner attempt to flee the man’s pursuit. Brownie is sent to board the train to nowhere. He chooses to stay at a train station and builds ties with two art students who name him Hima (Snow). Time passes. The aging Hima is getting ill and has only three months to live. In his final moments, he is adopted by the two artists who offer him a last moment of happiness.
As mentioned above, the feature is told by three directors who set different styles in portraying the life of the dog. Director Chayanop Boonprakob depicts – with humor and warmth – the life of puppy Gohan alongside retired Japanese man Hiro. Many scenes were shot through the eyes of the puppy. The bonding between the old man and the puppy is so touching that goes straight to our hearts. This delicate setting ultimately makes the last two episodes of Gohan’s life more tough and painful in the audience’s eyes.
Director Baz Poonpiriya is, then, the right choice to handle the second section – the life of teenage Gohan (now called Brownie) with his new friend Namcha. Poonpiriya’s skill in showcasing the terrifying experience faced by three young Thai friends in New York (
Countdown, 2012), as well as the moments of tension in the game of exam cheating by a group of students (
Bad Genius, 2017) is packed here – during the chase-and-run game between the shelter’s owner and Brownie.
The final stage of Gohan’s life – now called Hima – is told by the director Atta Hemwadee like the life experience of an old man looking back at two young people. Gohan needs the physical support at the end of his life, but, at the same time, is now in a position to offer his spiritual support to two heart-broken youths.
All three of the segments are crafted to depict the strong bonds of affection shared by the actors and the dogs, with excellent performances throughout. No matter what kinds of owners he has – be it the upper-class Japanese citizen, the illegal Burmese immigrant, or the middle-class youths – they all make us believe in the strength of their bond with the dog.
Gohan is one of the best Thai films that show everyday life in Thailand with realism, without becoming a tearjerker – a conscious path choice by studio GTH in recent years, since the making of
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (Pat Boonnitipat, 2024).
Guess who’s a real stray dog that was adopted by one of the three directors?
Chayanop Boonprakob
Chayanop Boonprakob graduated in Film & Still Photography in 2007. After winning awards for a lot of short films in Thailand, he made his directorial debut SuckSeed in 2011, an awesome coming-of-age tale of a group of high school kids trying to win their school rock band contest. Since then he has been known for romantic comedy genre.
Atta Hemwadee
Atta Hemwadee graduated in architecture but preferred making videos and commercials. He made his own debut in 2023 with the film Not Friends.
Baz Poonpiriya
Baz Poonpiriya graduated in stage directing and graphic design. After directing several shorts and music videos, he debuted with Countdown in 2012, the only Thai film that won an award at the FEFF. His tremendous success came from his second feature Bad Genius in 2017, which drew Wong Kar Wai to produce his third film One for the Road in 2021.