Nang nak (1999)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Nonzee Nimibutr

Writer:

Wisit Sasanatieng (writer)

Release Date:

23 July 1999 (Thailand)

Genre:

Horror | Romance | War

Tagline:

Death Do Never Us A Part

Plot:

Mak goes home from war and lives together with his wife and baby without knowing that both of them are ghosts.

Plot Keywords:

Ghost | Eclipse | Revenge | Rural

Awards:

12 wins

Cast

Intira Jaroenpura	...	Nak
Winai Kraibutr	...	Mak
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Manit Meekaewjaroen
Pramote Suksatit
Pracha Thawongfia

Directed by
Nonzee Nimibutr

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Wisit Sasanatieng		writer

Produced by
Nonzee Nimibutr	....	producer
Visute Poolvoralaks	....	producer
Chanajai Tonsaithong	....	line producer

Original Music by
Chartchai Pongprapapan
Pakkawat Vaiyavit

Cinematography by
Nattawut Kittikhun

Film Editing by
Sunij Asavinikul

Casting by
Phasiri Panya

Production Design by
Ek Iemchuen

Art Direction by
Akkadej Kaewhod

Costume Design by
Namphueng Motjanakul

Makeup Department
Sirirat Jamfah	....	makeup artist
Ratchanee Ratsamhee	....	hair designer
Benjawan Sroi-In	....	makeup department head
Benjawan Sroi-In	....	special makeup effects artist

Production Management
Laongkaew Saijai	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Saranyu Jiralaksanakul	....	first assistant director
Suwimol Techasupinan	....	second assistant director
Komgrit Triwimol	....	third assistant director

Sound Department
Eutthana Tusawut	....	sound

Special Effects by
Sonthaya Chum-Intajaks	....	special effects
Anirut Sutthinate	....	special effects

Visual Effects by
Lamnao Sutto	....	visual effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Thanat Chottiban	....	still photographer
Sermsan Sermkittisawad	....	lighting director

Other crew
Saowapat Chairerk	....	location manager
Thanomwong Pipatpolkul	....	continuity
Onchuma Yutthawong	....	acting coach

Production Companies

• Tai Entertainment

Distributors

• Solar Films (2004) (Philippines) (theatrical)
• Alberto Bitelli Intl. Films (2006) (Brazil) (DVD)
• I-On New Media (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• Kino Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Tai Seng Video Marketing (2001) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Nang-Nak (International: English title)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

Thailand

Language:

Thai

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA (cable rating) | South Korea:15 | Hong Kong:IIB | Singapore:PG | Philippines:PG-13

Company:

Tai Entertainment

Trivia:

The film is based on an old Thai ghost story. Director Nonzee Nimibutr toured Thai temples conducting ceremonies to appease Nang Nak's spirit and obtain good luck for the film.

Movie Connections:

Version of Ghost of Mae Nak (2005)

Really interesting piece of modern Thai film

I really enjoyed Nang Nak. But then again, I'm quite keen on World cinema, rather than regular Hollywood nonsense, so I can appreciate it won't appeal to everyone. The boyish looking female lead of Nak will also not have enough 'sex appeal' for some to warm to her.

I'm not sure how authentic the setting of it truly is, (I've never been to Thailand), but I found the primitive look of the costumes and housing to be really refreshing. I thought the director also caught some of the storm scenes really dramatically, and the sequencing of Nak's labour was truly terrifying. The quality is on a par with anything out of Hollywood. This is a film not to be shown to expectant mothers! I was also drawn to not having the slightest idea about the film's outcome. Although at first I did find the perpetually sobbing Nak a bit much, the ensuing events did more than compensate for this. Really interesting film.