Classic Thai horror film Shutter celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with a re-release in cinemas today. Starring Ananda Everingham, Natthaweeranuch Thongmee and Achita Sikamana, it's one of the horror movies everyone has to see (if you are truly a fan of scary movies).
Apart from Shutter, director Banjong Pisanthanakun has created a number of good titles -- many of which bagged various awards. Here are some of his most popular films.
The Medium
A horrifying story of a shaman's inheritance in the Isan region of Thailand. What could be possessing a family member might not be the goddess they make it out to be.
The Medium won Best Non-US Release award at the 2022 Online Film Critics Society Awards and Best Feature from 2021 at the San Sebastian Horror and Fantasy Film Festival. The film also won Best Feature Film at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in South Korea and Best Film as well as Best Photography at the 2021 Molins Film Festival in Barcelona.
- Now available on Netflix.
Pee Mak. imdb.com
Pee Mak
Starring heartthrob Mario Maurer alongside Davika Hoorne, this comedy follows Mak, who after serving in a war invites his four soldier friends to his home. Upon arrival they witness a village terrified of a ghost. The four friends hear rumours that the ghost is Mak's wife Nak. The movie is based on Thai folklore Mae Nak.
The film won Special Jury Award at the 2015 Asean International Film Festival and Awards.
- Now streaming on Netflix.
4bia. imdb.com
4bia
Face your fear in 4bia, a horror anthology comprising four haunting stories. Banjong directed one of the four titled In The Middle, which follows a group of friends whose camping trip goes bad after a kayaking accident.
- Now streaming on Netflix.
Hello Stranger. Photos © IMDB.com
Hello Stranger
One of the most popular Thai romantic comedies, Hello Stranger starring Chantavit Dhanasevi and Nuengthida Sophon tells the story of two strangers who accidentally meet in South Korea. They have fun together and are a safe zone for one another until one day they eventually fall in love and everything changes.
Nuengthida won Best Actress at the 2011 Thailand National Film Association Awards while Banjong bagged the Best Director Award at the same event. The director also won the Most Promising Talent Award at the 2011 Osaka Asian Film Festival.
- Now streaming on Netflix.
