Invisible Waves (2006)

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.

Director:

Pen-Ek Ratanaruang

Writer:

Prabda Yoon

Stars:

Tadanobu Asano, Hye-jeong Kang, Eric Tsang

4 nominations.

Cast

Credited 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

Storyline

After killing his boss's girlfriend (with whom he was having an affair) on his boss's orders, a man (Asano) is sent from Macau to Thailand in an attempt to escape the consequences of his crime and to cover it up. But the relocation doesn't prevent his problems from following him, as his new friends could be potential enemies.

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Plot Keywords:

guilt | poisoned wine | adultery | footsie under the table | boat ride | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site Pan-Européenne [fr]

Country:

Thailand Netherlands

Language:

Thai English Japanese Korean

Release Date:

2 March 2006 (Thailand)

Also Known As:

Vagues invisibles

Filming Locations:

Bangkok, Thailand

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$6,239 (Hong Kong) (26 May 2006)

Gross:

$12,621 (Hong Kong) (2 June 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dedicate Ltd., Fortissimo Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Opening film for 2006 Bangkok International Film Festival.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

References The Shining (1980)

User Reviews

Don't miss the point.

Reading through the reviews on this page all I can say to myself is how they have throughly missed the point. The movie is slow, very slow, but I still sat there and watched it. It's supposed to be slow, it's supposed to have a minimal script.

Throughout the entire movie I couldn't stop thinking about it. The speed of the movie really pulled me into the mood of the main character, and it worked.

One of the other reviewers talked about shotty production values, I completely disagree. The movie is supposed to be sketchy and ugly, its not meant to be pretty. Although I think the sketchy aspect of it is the beauty of it.

The camera work is perfect for the feeling I think the director was going for.

The reason I think this film is getting less-than-favourable reviews is that this isn't what people are expecting when they go into it. When someone hears "japanese contract killer" you don't think of a slow-paced gray drama. I went into this film expecting nothing (as I do with all Film Festival movies) and came out silent, my mind racing.

Don't see it if your expecting an action movie, see it if you are in the mood for a slow-paced interesting drama of a mans life.