Thai thriller film “The Paradise of Thorns” stars Jeff Satur and Engfa “Mook” Warahawell, who are well-known faces in the Thai entertainment industry. The film will be in Singapore theatres on 10 October and as part of the lineup included in Golden Village’s Love & Pride Film Festival, it is also available exclusively at GV Cineleisure from 27 September to 6 October.
The highly-talked about film confronts societal justice as it is set in a background where legislation to officially recognise same-sex marriage has not been approved in Thailand. In this film, there is symbolism to look out for in almost every scene for viewers who are paying attention.
*spoilers ahead*
The film opens with sweet times between Thongkam and Sek, who were a simple, happy couple who worked tirelessly together on their durian plantation. We see Sek presenting Thongkam with a budding durian blossom as a token of his love, signifying all their hard work they put into the plantation, and looking forward to the fruits of their labor in future together.
However, dreams of a happily ever after were destroyed when tragedy struck and Thongkam, who was unable to provide approval for the doctors to operate on Sek in time, had to watch his ‘husband’ die as their marriage was not legally recognised in Thailand. Due to the title deed for the plantation being only under Sek’s name and estate laws stating the inheritance of the plantation awarded to Sek’s mother, Saeng, Thongkam now has no claim to it. Saeng and her adopted daughter, Mo, quickly move in and an ugly battle of wits ensues as each party schemes and plots for their own benefit. Saeng takes over Sek’s and Thongkam’s martial bed, even urinating on it, which signifies the start of the invasion into Thongkam’s life.
Adding to the drama, Mo brings her brother Jingna to the plantation and the younger divulges a secret that breaks Thongkam’s heart. Thongkam also gets ordained as a monk in hopes that Saeng would take him in as a son officially and he would eventually get the plantation back.
The poignant acting in the film shows off the strong chemistry between the cast, it is hard not to sympathise with Thongkam while he begs Saeng, or detest Mo who is gloating over her wins in the battle. Jingna’s scenes with Thongkam also makes viewers wonder what he is up to as the character surprises as the film progresses.
The male lead of the show, Thongkam, is played by Jeff Satur (Kinnporshe the series, Ingredients) who also sang the soulful soundtrack “Rain Wedding” for the film. With his boyish looks and impeccable wardrobe, Jeff Satur does an outstanding job in portraying different aspects of his character. Having lost everything; from the love of his life to his home, Thongkam is willing to do anything to get the plantation back. While it may have started as a revenge plot for him, viewers are forced to judge if he crosses the line in his bid to get the plantation, which he thinks should rightfully belong to him.
Mo, the adopted daughter played by Engfa “Mook” Waraha (Petrichor, Club Friday The Series Hot Love Issue), is easy to dislike, as her desperation to own the plantation sees her making morally questionable decisions throughout the film. With a backstory of being an uneducated woman who faced poverty all her life, Mo has taken care of Sek’s mother for twenty years before Sek’s passing. Engfa “Mook” Waraha, who is also a beauty pageant titleholder in addition to being a singer and actress, shows off her chemistry with Jeff Satur as scenes of them taking bitchy swipes at each other had viewers in our theatre cheering.
With a stunning backdrop of film imagery, moving script and intense soundtrack, the film had us at the edge of our seats throughout the show, with the audience sighing, gasping and even giggling all together.
With recent news of Thailand being the first Southeast Asian nation to legalise same-sex marriage, we wonder if Thongkam might have had a happier ending in our times.
Catch The Paradise of Thorns in Singapore at Golden Village Theatres!
