Yokai and Other Monsters: From Asian Folklore to Cinema | Out of Competition | Online
Thailand, 2023, 124’, Thai
Directed by: Paphangkorn Punchantarak
Screenplay: Paphangkorn Punchantarak, Kochawan Plobyon, Kasidej Sundararjun, Natavan Tocharoenvasin
Cinematography (color): Thrinnanon Samrej
Editing: Harin Paesongthai, Thunchanok Suthanintr
Production Design: Phuwanai Phangkhum
Music: Wild at Heart
Producers: Sangar Chatchairungruang, Kochawan Plobyon, Utai Khumkong, Kachornchai Vajirapisutsopin
Executive Producers: Thanakorn Puliwekin, Birathon Kasemsri Na Ayudhaya, Kanogwan Watchara, Sunjutha Witchawut, Chayanont Ulit
Cast: Chanya McClory, Kritsanapoom Pibulsonggram, Krissada Clapp, Nopachai Chaiyanam, Bhumibhat Thavornsiri, Joe Cummings
Date of First Release in Territory: March 30th, 2023
One of the most famous monsters in Thai popular culture, a krasue is a nocturnal female spirit that manifests as the floating, disembodied head of a woman, usually young and beautiful, with her internal organs still attached and trailing down from the neck. Despite its origin in local folklore or mythology, it has long been adapted and reconceived into different kinds of stories in its cinematic form. Based on an original idea by veteran director Wisit Sasanatieng (Tears of the Black Tiger, Citizen Dog, Red Eagle), the monster of this film shows not only its intestines but also a heart. Inhuman Kiss: The Last Breath is the sequel to Krasue: Inhuman Kiss (Sittisiri Mongkolsiri, 2019), which was a success both at the local box-office and in the international arena through its submission by Thailand for the Academy Award for Best International Feature in 2019.
The first film told of the romance between Sai and Noi during the Second World War and their struggle to escape from those hunting for Sai, who is known to transform into a krasue during the night. The sequel follows the family after Sai has passed away. Although Noi tries everything to protect his daughter Sao from transforming into a krasue, Sao cannot escape her destiny. New hunters swarm into the village – a team of foreigners and, most importantly, a krahang, the legendary enemy of the krasue. A krahang is a male monster that flies with the aid of two flat rice winnowing baskets for wings and a pestle as his tail. Like a krasue, a krahang flies in the night and hunts for raw and dirty food. The heart of the krasue is the ultimate food that sustains him eternally.
In the same way as the first film, the sequel is nicely crafted with attention and delicacy, creating an atmosphere of warmth and pain – unlike other monster films. The romance that was established in the first film is now sentimentalized by the love between fathers and children – both Noi’s desire to protect his daughter, and the krahang’s love for his sons. None of the monsters is labelled as totally evil – perhaps this is something different from other folklores and mythologies, especially in the west. In fact, in the remaking of Thai folk tales or mythologies, both gods and monsters often acquire blurred identities, embodying internal conflicts between goodness and badness – like ordinary people. Inhuman Kiss: The Last Breath is rich in offering dynamic characters that overturn earlier ways of understanding such monsters.
Aside from the multi-layered story, the film also presents some new images of monsters and their transformations. Unlike previous movies, the krasue is formidable and artistically designed. The krahang no longer flies but moves forward in leaps. During their transformation, it is shown that both monsters suffer while changing identity. In sum, Inhuman Kiss: The Last Breath might be a new type of monster film that shows their double identities both as human and nonhuman.
Paphangkorn Punchantarak
Paphangkorn Punchantarak has worked in advertising since finishing his master’s degree in filmmaking from New York’s School of Visual Arts. His shorts have been nominated for and won awards at several film festivals. Inhuman Kiss: The Last Breath is his directorial debut.
FILMOGRAPHY
2023 – Inhuman Kiss: The Last Breath
Anchalee Chaiworaporn