Syndromes and a Century

Syndromes and a Century (Thai: แสงศตวรรษ or saeng satawăːt, literally Light of the Century^[1]) is a 2006 Thai drama film written and directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. The film was among the works commissioned for Peter Sellars' New Crowned Hope festival in Vienna to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.^[2] It premiered on August 30, 2006 at the 63rd Venice Film Festival.

The film is a tribute to the director's parents and is divided into two parts, with the characters and dialogue in the second half essentially the same as the first, but the settings and outcome of the stories are different. The first part is set in a hospital in rural Thailand, while the second half is set in a Bangkok medical center.

"The film is about transformation, about how people transform themselves for the better," Apichatpong told the Associated Press. ^[3]

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Cast

• Nantarat Sawaddikul as Dr. Toey
• Jaruchai Iamaram as Dr. Nohng
• Nu Nimsomboon as Toa
• Sophon Pukanok as Noom, the orchid expert
• Jenjira Pongpas as Pa Jane
• Arkanae Cherkam as Dentist Ple
• Sakda Kaewbuadee as Monk Sakda
• Sin Kaewpakpin as Old Monk

Production

Origins

The work is described as a comedy to start out, but ends as a science-fiction story.

"It's a film about heart," the director told the Bangkok Post. "It's not necessarily about love, it's more about memory. It's about feelings that have been forever etched in the heart." ^[4]

It was originally entitled Intimacy and Turbulence and was to be an autobiographical look at his mother and father, who were both physicians working in a hospital in Khon Kaen, Thailand. But the director revised that concept when he cast the actors and began filming. The story still focuses on a male and female doctor, and is dedicated to the director's parents, but is set in two hospitals 40 years apart and explores both the memories and current lives of the protagonists.

"I began with my parents’ story, but it has sprung to other things," Apitchatpong said in an interview. "When I met the actors, when I found the location, there were other stories combined and added in. I try not to limit it. I allow it to flow whichever way it goes. It is very exciting." ^[5]

Reception

Critical reception

The film has a 95% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 21 reviews.^[6] Screen Daily noted the enigmatic, non-existent narrative while praising the film's technical aspects.^[7]

Censorship controversy

The film's Thai release, originally slated for April 19, 2007, was indefinitely delayed after Thai Censorship Board demanded the removal of four scenes. Apichatpong has refused to recut the film and withdrawn it from domestic circulation. "I, as a filmmaker, treat my works as I do my own sons or daughters," Apichatpong told the Bangkok Post. "I don't care if people are fond of them or despise them, as long as I created them with my best intentions and efforts. If these offspring of mine cannot live in their own country for whatever reason, let them be free. There is no reason to mutilate them in fear of the system. Otherwise there is no reason for one to continue making art." Two of the "sensitive" scenes involve doctors engaging in "inappropriate" conduct (kissing and drinking liquor) in a hospital; the others depict Buddhist monks playing a guitar and playing with a toy UFO.^[8] The censors has refused to return the print unless the requested cuts are made.^[9] An online petition is currently circulating, decrying the board's action and recommending "a long-needed modernization" of the film censorship system.^[10]

Festivals and awards

Syndromes and a Century had its world premiere at the 2006 Venice Film Festival, where it was in competition. It was also screened at the New York Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, London International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Tokyo Filmex, Pusan International Film Festival, International Film Festival Rotterdam, Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival, Hong Kong International Film Festival and the Melbourne International Film Festival.

At the inaugural Asian Film Awards in 2007, the film won the Best Editor award for Lee Chatametikool. It was also nominated for best director and best cinematographer.^[11]

References

External links

• Official site
• Syndromes and a Century at the Internet Movie Database
• Syndromes and a Century at Rotten Tomatoes
• ShowBIZ Data