The Stone

International Festival Premiere | In Competition | White Mulberry Award Candidate

Thailand, 2025, 125’, Thai

Directed by: Arak Amornsupasiri, Vuthipong Sukhanindr
Screenplay: Arak Amornsupasiri, Vuthipong Sukhanindr, Paween Purijitpunya, Surawut Tungkarak
Cinematography (color): Krissada Nakaket
Editing: Theerawat Yailai
Production Design: Laksamee Endo
Music: Mellow Tunes
Producers: Paween Purijitpunya, Surawut Tungkarak
Executive Producers: Suradech Assawaruenganun, Chalakorn Panyashon
Cast: Jinjett Wattanasin, Korranid Laosubinprasert, Noppol Gomarachun, Chulachak Chakrabongse, Itkorn Pungkiatrussamee, Sirakoop Medhanee

What can one expect from a movie focusing on two conflicting objects – guns and amulets? It becomes the cool pic The Stone where bullets, blood and betrayal are fighting against all odds.

The Stone begins with a young man Ake (Jinjett Wattanasin) trying to sell a collection of his father’s secret amulets, to cover the mounting medical expenses. On the discovery of a rare Somdej amulet in his father’s assets, the young and naïve boy is drawn into an unexpected journey through the shadowy, high-stakes world of amulet trading, and the secret of his own father. Previously owned by Boss Rat who was brutally shot dead by a team of mysterious people that night, the amulet has been missing from the community for 30 years. With vast sums of money on the line, the world of amulet trading reveals its hidden darkness – a web of deceit, manipulation, and greed that plays against the beliefs and faith of Buddhists.

For the first time being, the amulet subculture which is more dominated by a group of middle-aged and old macho men is crafted into a sharp and high-quality cult film, with all cinematic refinement – well-design production, superb cinematography, tight and tense editing, and for sure the acting. It is hard to believe that this is the first film by two directors Arak Amornsupasiri and Vuthipong Sukhanindr who have had more experiences in acting and music for the former, and graphic design for the latter.

Instead, The Stone shines out with all cinematic supremacy, not only in their longtime skills in music use and production design. To maintain the film with a modern look, the lead characters are then involved with a diverse group of people – from teenagers, a killer, to amulet experts, starring the country’s emerging and veteran performers. Interestingly, these stars are so versatile with their roles that they were born to be the real amulet experts, a naïve boy and a killer.

Be prepared for almost the last sequence, which takes up to 40 minutes in one single setting. It is a masterpiece.

GUEST:

Arak AMORNSUPASIRI, director
Vuthipong SUKHANINDR, co-director
Surawut TUNGKARAK, producer
Paween PURIJITPANYA, producer

Arak Amornsupasiri

Arak Amornsupasiri, better known as Pe Arak, is a famous actor and musician in Thailand. He first gained recognition as the guitarist for the alternative rock band Slur before transitioning into acting, starting in 2007 with Body. His acting works that were shown in Far East Film Festival include Body in 2008 and Kongkiat Khomsiri’s Slice in 2010. The Stone is his directorial debut.

FILMOGRAPHY

2025 – The Stone

Vuthipong Sukhanindr

Vuthipong Sukhanindr graduated in visual communication arts from Assumption University of Thailand. He then started to work in motion graphics design and to direct commercials. The Stone is his first feature film as director.