Invisible Waves (2006)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Pen-Ek Ratanaruang

Writer:

Prabda Yoon (writer)

Release Date:

2 March 2006 (Thailand)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Plot:

After inadvertently killing his girlfriend, a man (Asano) flees Macau for Thailand in an attempt to cope with his guilt, and avoid possible arrest. But the relocation doesn't prevent his problems from following him, as his new friends could be potential enemies.

Plot Keywords:

Guilt | Female To Male Foot In Crotch | Footsie Under The Table | Nude Woman Murdered | Loss Of Girlfriend

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Tadanobu Asano	...	Kyoji
Hye-jeong Kang	...	Noi
Eric Tsang	...	Monk
Maria Cordero	...	Maria
Toon Hiranyasap	...	Wiwat
Ken Mitsuishi	...	Lizard
Hideki Jitsuyama	...	Kyoji's Father
Tomono Kuga	...	Seiko
Hiro Sano	...	Hideki
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Vant Banditnopparat	...	Colleague 2
Chatchaj Bunditwetchakorn	...	Taxi Driver
Lei Ju Fong	...	Maria's compund staff
Woon Ling Hau	...	Old Lady
Nukun Hongthong	...	Thai Thug 1
Vararuk Kumprom	...	Man
Prompop Lee	...	Universal Cruise staff
Wong Chen Man	...	Maria's compund staff
Thiti Michelli	...	Kanchil
Yasuhiko Miyachi	...	Colleague 1
Auttharco Patthanodom	...	Bartender
Thanee Poonsuwan	...	Technician
Dhiranan Sukwibul	...	Wilai
Sorayis Tungomesakul	...	Nid
Fung Tse Wa	...	Young Monk
Cheung Jat Wai	...	Maria's compound staff
Pakawat Wisesmanee	...	Thai Thug 2
Suree Ch. Wiwat	...	Old Woman

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

Netherlands | Thailand | Hong Kong | South Korea

Language:

Thai | English | Japanese | Korean

Color:

Color

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:15 | Malaysia:U | Australia:M (2007) | Australia:M (2006) | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Bangkok, Thailand

Company:

Dedicate Ltd.

Trivia:

Opening film for 2006 Bangkok International Film Festival.

Quotes:

Kyoji: Are you really a monk?
Monk: My father was.

Movie Connections:

References The Shining (1980)

Visible Vengeance Against Invisible Waves

I can't help but react to the only 2 reviews posted on this site.

Surprisingly, they are both from Singapore (like me) and both hate the film with a vengeance. To correct myself, Dick hates it, Peter dislikes it. What is most interesting is a display of how a film explode an audience.

Why is there so much frustration when one cannot comprehend a work of art? I'm not saying that the inability to understand is a reflection of one's level of intelligence. i'm simply asking the big EMOTIONALLY question. why do people get so frustrated over something they have problem comprehending? Have you ever dream a dream that you do not understand? Have you ever dream of signs, symbols, incidents, characters, animals, locations that doesn't make sense at all? how do you come to terms with those unfulfilling surrealist images?

Honestly, i may not get the film myself. It wasn't one of the most engaging film i have watched. it was certainly much weaker than Last Life of the Universe. But i see it as a surrealist film. The constant hollow sound through out the film may have dropped a hint. It is simply a dream about a man who is confronted by betrayal of people close to him and maybe even himself. The faint bizarre incidents creates many space for observations with the characters and the environment.

Todate, there are only postings from Singapore audience on IMDb. This shows that we are one of the earliest privilege film buffs in the world who get a chance to preview the film. It shows a great deal of confidence from the filmmaker in Singapore audience. I do not agree that it is a bad decision to bring in such art-house film. the idea about art-house often equivalent to no formula and therefore equivalent to no traditional benchmarks. there is always a different appetite needed by a different audience. i embrace picture house effort and i hope they continue to brave obscure titles with huge risk at box office for that is the spirit of art-house.

when i walk into a theatre to watch an art film, i'm expecting to be challenge as an audience.

My purpose of this writeup is merely to provide a different viewpoint. no offense.

I'm a mortal, i get angry with many things and people around me. For example, I always get angry with my dad cos i do not understand most of his behaviours and ideas. Therefore i can understand a frustrated audience as well.