In a misty, humid tropical climate, the sensations of the Thai countryside can be so overwhelming that the living can walk amongst the dead. That proves to be the case when Uncle Boonmee, afflicted with kidney disease, assembles his relatives for a farewell gathering but is greeted by both his wife’s ghost and his estranged son in the guise of a jungle creature. After receiving advice from his deceased partner, Uncle Boonmee decides he must visit a special place before he goes.
Awarded the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2010, the magical, mesmerizing fantasy boasts an evocative, nature-heavy backdrop that has been a mainstay of Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s filmography. Immersing the viewer in the esoteric sights and hypnotic sounds of Uncle Boonmee’s imagination, the landmark of arthouse cinema conveys the invisible presence of emotions and memories in each unpredictable scene. With a surreal storyline containing spiritual and shamanistic elements, the dreamlike feature explores and critiques what is, and isn’t, our reality.
(Special thanks to M+ Cinema for the film information.)
