Vinyan (2008)

A couple are looking for their child who was lost in the tsunami - their search takes them to the dangerous Thai-Burmese waters, and then into the jungle, where they face unknown but horrifying dangers.

Director:

Fabrice du Welz

Writers:

Fabrice du Welz, David Greig (additional material)

Stars:

Emmanuelle Béart, Rufus Sewell, Petch Osathanugrah

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Emmanuelle Béart	...	Jeanne Bellmer
Rufus Sewell	...	Paul Bellmer
Petch Osathanugrah	...	Thaksin Gao
Julie Dreyfus	...	Kim
Amporn Pankratok	...	Sonchaï
Josse De Pauw	...	Matthias
Omm	...	Sara
Apisit Opasaimlikit	...	Boomsong (as Joey Boy)
Kurlab Lay	...	Boomsong's mom
Matt Ryder	...	Bideau
Bobbie Delcastillo	...	Millionnaire 1
Susan Delcastillo	...	Woman 1
Teerawat Mulvilai	...	Khun (as Teerawat Mulwilai)
Saichia Wongwirot	...	Petch (as Saichia Wongwirote)
Kitinun Siangsa-Ard	...	Gao's bodyguard

Storyline

In Phuket Island, Thailand, the architect Paul Bellmer and his wife Jeanne lost their son Joshua in a tsunami six months ago. Jeanne is disturbed and has not accepted the loss of her beloved son. While watching some footages from Myanmar (former Burma), Jeanne is convinced that a boy wearing a Manchester United shirt in a poor village is Joshua, and Paul accepts to seek out their son in the sea gypsies camp. They hire the trafficker Thaksin Gao and they travel in the boat of master Sonchai to search Joshua. After a series of weird incidents, Sonchai leaves the trio in an abandoned village. They have to walk through the jungle where they face a journey to hell.

---

Plot Keywords:

thailand | evil child | tsunami | jungle | island | 

---

Taglines:

When someone dies a horrible death, their spirit becomes confused & angry. It becomes ... VINYAN.

---

Genres:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some disturbing violent content, sexuality/nudity and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The red building was a set that was built in the middle of the jungle.

---

Connections

Referenced in Viande d'origine française (2009)

---

Soundtracks

Pump Audio 10234
Written and performed by Zoux.

User Reviews

This is not a story!

I don't usually write reviews, but this film needs to be rescued from the grumpy hoi polloi who thought it was a horror flick and found it to be more than they could probably handle. This film is being badly mis-marketed.

This movie is exactly what it aspired to be. It conveyed something deep and meaningful. The question is, who would even want to understand such a thing? It is not my kind of movie and I had no idea what to expect when I rented it, but I kind of got sucked into it. It gave me bad dreams; it haunted me for a few days.

This film reminds me a little bit of Apocalypse Now, the photography and locations are stunning. There are scenes I will probably never be able to forget, and some I don't wish to. I think what makes this story so frightening is that everything that happens in it is plausible. That is hard to accept for some people.

From the opening scene, the imagery and sounds are stunning. To put it simply: This movie is about what it really, really means deep down for a family to lose their child; is their any sadder thing to contemplate? I don't expect everyone to even be capable of remaining receptive to this movie after the first half; it took work for me.

Viewers who wish to see darkness as art will be very pleased. For those who prefer glam decadence and prepackaged fluff, go watch Requiem For a Dream. For those who want nice, pretty stories, watch Rachel's Wedding.

Details

Country:

France Belgium UK Australia

Language:

English Thai

Release Date:

1 October 2008 (France)

Also Known As:

Espíritos Condenados

Filming Locations:

Bangkok, Thailand

Box Office

Budget:

EUR4,100,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$156,944

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Film, uFilm, Backup Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1