Not just another ghost movie

Ghost movies are extremely popular in Thailand. I think in part it reflects that belief in ghosts and spirits deeply permeates Thai life.

I came across the website of what looks like an interesting film. It's title "P" which means ghost in Thai. It was directed by Englishman Paul Spurrier, the first foreigner to ever direct a Thai-language film. He spent several years studying the Thai language and learning about the supernatural world before making the movie. The synopsis follows:

Whilst growing up in rural Thailand, a young orphan girl is taught the ways of magic by her grandmother. But when grandmother falls sick, Dau is lured to Bangkok to find work so that she can buy medicine.

She finds herself working in a go-go bar, and her journey from naiveté to maturity is swift. She uses the magical skills her grandmother taught her to her advantage, but in doing so makes enemies within the bar. As her magic gets darker, and the consequences increasingly horrific, she gradually loses control, and something evil takes over.

The film was released in 2005 and screened at a number of film festivals. The film's content would undoubtedly have raised the ire of Bangkok's censors. In particular for its depiction of a go-go bar and prostitution. As far as I know it hasn't been released in the country it was made.

Although I am not a big fan of horror movies I would like to see this film for its depiction of the life of a young woman who leaves her rural village to work in the sex industry and also to see how the "spirit world" influences Thai life.

Links

Phee Borb - official website
P - Internet Movie Database
P - New York Asian Film Festival