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Rang Zong
The Medium
Thailand / Korea 2021
produced by Na Hong-jin, Banjong Pisanthanakun, Kim Do-Soo (executive), Jina Osothsilp (executive) for GDH 559, Showbox, Northern Cross
directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun
starring Narilya Gulmongkolpech, Sawanee Utoomma, Sirani Yankittikan, Yasaka Chaisorn, Boonsong Nakphoo, Arunee Wattana, Thanutphon Boonsang, Pakapol Srirongmuang, Akkaradech Rattanawong, Chatchawat Sanveang, Yossawat Sittiwong, Arnon Losiripanya, Klangchon Chuekham, Sayan Phiwchan, Sakchai Yukhachen, Nuttapol Kummata, Sontaya Dermparakhon, Ronnasit Nilsu, Tanakrit Jaliablam, Chainarong Panchai, Puwadon Naosopa, Suphamit Worabut, Sornrasak Wiwasuk, Wassana Raphaban, Umpa Laokom, Poon Mitpakdee, Prapruttam Khumchat, Thongsom Kanlala, Arunrat Puknoi, Naruwan Deecharoen, Krittin Na Nakhon, Daorung Chaimool, Nan Muntee, Lunda Sanewong, Mai Wongsri, Hnurom Asurapong, Thongsun Kottha, Udom Nuncharern, Benchawan Somjit, Nuansri Sanewong, Lampoon Singyabud, Ruttima Maiteesawat, Sangkhom Charoenkun, Goppong Khunthreeya, Rattikan Kaewkunya, Sirapob Kwankaew, Thongsan Sakongsee, Met Sukbua, Amnuai Seetue, Panadda Unpeng, Kannika Suebsarakam, Konglar Kanchanahoti, Chan Sriburin, Seksit Thawichai, Artid Ponboon, Suwit Wiratkapant
written by Na Hong-jin, Banjong Pisanthanakun, music by Chatchai Pongprapaphan
review by Mike Haberfelner
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At first it all seemed perfectly harmless, a film team sets out to make
a documentary about Nim (Sawanee Utooma), a shaman in Thailand's Isan
region. She seems to be an interesting enough subject since despite being
a shaman she seems to be very grounded in reality. And she comes from a
long line of female shamans, with the gift (a sort of possession by a
Goddess) handed down from mother to daughter. Originally, Nim wasn't
supposed to be the shaman but her sister Noi (Sirani Yankittikan), but Noi
refused the Goddess and even converted to Christianity instead. Nim meets
Noi for the funeral of Noi's husband, who has died in an accident, and it
turns out that none of his ancestors have died unnaturally as well for
quite a few generations back now. At the funeral, Noi's daughter Mink
(Narilya Gulmongkolpech) shows unnaturally rude behaviour, which at first
can be interpreted as an outlet for her grief, but after a while she shows
symptoms that Nim has shown before she has become a shaman. So it might be
that Mink has been chosen as her successor - only she doesn't want to
become a shaman, and Noi forbids her flat out anyways. But Mink's
symptoms, which include uncontrollable menstrual bleeding, promiscuity,
and rude to violent behaviour, only grow stronger, so much so that they
make her lose her job. And eventually, both Mink and Noi agree to let Nim
perform a ceremony that will have Mink accepting the Goddess. Thing is, on
the eve of the ceremony, Nim realizes it's not the Goddess who wants to be
accepted into Mink but ... something else. She refuses to perform the
ceremony, so Noi goes about it without Nim's help - and from here on, Mink
steadily declines, she becomes a threat to those closest to her, and even
at one point cooks and eats the family dog, and seems to develop more and
more feral traits. Nim seeks the advice of Master Santi (Boonsong
Nakphoo), who's quick to realize that through the acceptance ceremony Mink
hasn't let the Goddess into her, but the ghosts of those who have been
executed by one of her ancestors who want to have revenge through her. And
while Mink grows worse and worse and more and more dangerous on top of
that, Santi and Nim hastily set up a sort of exorcism, which Santi decides
to go through with even after Nim all of a sudden dies from unnatural
causes. But the spirits that possess Mink are tricky ones, and they have
their own way to disrupt the ritual - and violently so ... A
pretty well structured piece of exotic horror that doesn't give away its
game till very late in the film, basically starting out as your typical
found footage movie, and even if that approach is technically never given
up, it for a change doesn't come across as aesthetic shortcut but follows
a comprehensible cinematic language with proper editing. But the thing is,
over the course of its 130 minutes running time, the film develops from a
pseudo documentary into a very wild and visceral shocker, with a finale
that's unsettling on both a visual and psychological level. And a very
solid cast and self-assured direction see to it that this is one movie
that will stay with one for quite a while after watching ...
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