500,000 Years, 2016

Synopsis of the film  

In Lampang, at the archeological site that found fossil of homoerectus 17 years ago, now no body care about this scientific discovery. Just locals went there for spiritual activity sometimes.

One evening an outdoor cinema truck went there to screen a film as an offer to the ancient ghost, Kohka man, during the screening, something unexpected happened.

Director’s brief comment on the film

This film is an investigation of the dead and rebirth of cinema culture in Thailand which engaged with animism society. In many parts of the country, the outdoor screening changed it function from a media for human to an offer for ghosts and spirits. I would like to explore possibilities of transformation of cinema to keep itself alive here. As well as how do we transform scientific discoveries into spiritual activities.

I am also inspired on a quote from Antonio Gramsci which explain both cinema culture and the transitional time in Thai society “the old is dying and the new cannot be born; in this interregnum a great variety of morbid symptoms appear”

Cast (with indication of roles) and credits 

Produced by
Kick the Machine Films

Directed and Written by
Chai Siris

Cast
Montree Reun-ngeun – Projectionist
Songyot intanon – assistant 1
Thanayos Roopkhajorn – assistant 2
Nantawat Chinon – – assistant 3

Director of Photography
Chatchai Suban

1st Camera Assistant
Thanayos Roopkhajorn

Production Designer
Nantawat Chinon

Edited by
Chatchai Suban/ Chai Siris

Sound Editor
Chalermrat Kaweewattana

Sound Designer
Koichi Shimizu

Post Production Superviser
Lee Chatametikool

Post Production
White Light Post

Co-producer
Don Saron