Thai Director Wins Cannes Prize with Bold Political Comedy

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS

Cannes, France – Thai filmmaker Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke has garnered international recognition for his daring political comedy "A Useful Ghost," which won the top prize at the Critics' Week sidebar section of the Cannes Festival. The film combines humour, politics, and supernatural elements, featuring influencer and actress Davika "Mai" Hoorne as a ghost inhabiting a vacuum cleaner to support her widowed husband.

The offbeat comedy is acclaimed not only for its humour but also for its political commentary, subtly addressing Thailand's history of political suppression. It portrays a ghostly satire where a deceased woman becomes embroiled in family and political intrigue, highlighting a fictional minister's attempt to rid his home of dissident spirits, alluding to real historical events.

Ratchapoom uses the absurd premise to critique the manner in which unpleasant political events are often metaphorically "swept under the carpet" in Thailand. He draws inspiration from history, such as the crackdown on the 2010 "Red Shirt" protests, where over 90 civilians perished. Following these events, authorities' efforts to cleanse the city became symbolic of erasing troubling memories.

The film echoes past incidents, like the removing of trees marking executions, underscoring the state's attempts to erase uncomfortable histories. Ratchapoom's ambition was to extend queer narratives beyond the typical love stories, infusing them with political significance and diversity.

Davika Hoorne, with her significant following, brings considerable attention to the film. Known for her role in Thailand's top-grossing film "Pee Mak," her support for such a brave narrative emphasises the limited freedom to critique state actions in Thailand.

Ratchapoom's work is particularly poignant as it emerges in a politically evolving Thailand, where the return of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the advent of legalised same-sex marriage mark significant shifts. Thaksin, whose political journey has seen him revered by some and reviled by the establishment, remains a complex figure in Thai politics. His daughter, current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, represents a new era, yet the country grapples with its past and present political tensions.

"A Useful Ghost" stands as a cinematic achievement and a bold political statement, reflecting the power of film to influence and challenge societal norms. The film's success at Cannes highlights the importance of storytelling in fostering global conversations on history, identity, and courage in the face of censorship.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS 2025-05-22