In a misty, humid tropical climate, the sensations of the Thai countryside can be so overwhelming that the living can walk amongst the dead. That proves to be the case when Uncle Boonmee (Thanapat Saisaymar), afflicted with kidney disease, assembles his relatives for a farewell gathering but is greeted by both his wife’s ghost and his estranged son in the guise of a jungle creature. After receiving advice from his deceased partner, Uncle Boonmee decides he must visit a special place before he goes.

Awarded the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2010, the magical, mesmerising fantasy boasts an evocative, nature-heavy backdrop that has been a mainstay of Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s filmography. Immersing the viewer in the esoteric sights and hypnotic sounds of Uncle Boonmee’s imagination, the landmark of arthouse cinema conveys the invisible presence of emotions and memories in each unpredictable scene. With a surreal storyline containing spiritual and shamanistic elements, the dreamlike feature explores and critiques what is, and isn’t, our reality.

Apichatpong Weerasethakul (b. 1970, Bangkok) is considered to be one of the leading figures in the field of moving image internationally. Originally trained as an architect, Weerasethakul began making short films and videos in 1994. He often blurs the established boundaries between cinema and art whilst subtly tinkering and alluding to personal politics and social issues. Traditional folklore and fables from Thailand and its histories also play important roles in his works, creating a sense of earthy yet mystical quality. Weerasethakul further developed the enigmatic theme in A Letter to Boonmee in his subsequent work—the award-winning 2010 feature film Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.