BAYTONG

San Francisco Premiere

Thailand 2003 | 103mins | 35mm Color | Thai w/E.S.

BAYTONG is a movie about faith, love and the lessons we must learn to navigate our way through the minefield of modern life. 27-year-old Tum has been a monk almost all his life, living in quiet contemplation in a remote monastery, blissfully unaware of such present-day concerns as technology and globalization. After his sister is tragically killed in a terrorist attack on a train, he must take responsibility for his seven-year-old niece, Maria. Life outside the monastery holds many perplexing surprises÷hip-hop clothing, his sisterās boisterous friends and trousers he needs to learn how to zip without injuring himself. Most unsettling of all are the feelings he develops for Lynn, a family friend who cared for Maria in the immediate aftermath of the sisterās death.

Director Nonzee Nimibutr is quickly establishing a reputation as the most versatile talent among the young Turks of Thailand, who have recently cut a wide swathe through the international film scene. Following the supernatural epic NANG NAK (SFIAAFF ā00) and the darkly erotic JAN DARA (SFIAAFF ā02), he demonstrates a sharp change of pace with this gentle, heartwarming comedy.

÷Seattle International Film Festival

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