Manta Ray (film)

Manta Ray (Thai: กระเบนราหู; RTGS: Kraben Rahu) is a 2018 drama film written and directed by Phuttiphong Aroonpheng. It is Phuttiphong's first feature film, following his graduation from Digital Film Academy.[1] The film had its world premiere at the 75th Venice International Film Festival on 7 September 2018 and received the award for the best movie in Orizzonti/ Horizon Prize selection. Phuttiphong also received the Silver Pyramid at the 40th Cairo International Film Festival. The film stars Aphisit Hama, Wanlop Rungkamjad and Rasmee Wayrana in lead roles. The film focuses on the political theme of Rohingyas in a poetic way.[2] French composers Christine Ott and Mathieu Gabry, working as a duet under the name Snowdrops,[3] created an original score for the movie[4][5] and had been part in the sound design. Thai cutting-room ace Lee Chatametikool was also involved in the project.[6]

Manta Ray
Directed byPhuttiphong Aroonpheng
Produced by
  • Mai Meksawan
  • Jakrawal Nilthamrong
  • Chatchai Chaiyon
  • Philippe Avril
Starring
  • Wanlop Rungkamjad
  • Aphisit Hama
  • Rasmee Wayrana
CinematographyNawarophaat Rungphiboonsophit
Edited by
Music by
Production
companies
  • Diversion
  • Les Films de l'Étranger
  • Youku Pictures
Distributed byJour2Fête
Release date
Running time
105 minutes
Countries
  • Thailand
  • France
  • China

Cast
  • Aphisit Hama as Thongchai
  • Wanlop Rungkamjad as the fisherman
  • Rasmee Wayrana as Saijai

Production

Manta Ray is a continuation of Phuttiphong's 2015 short film Ferris Wheel, which also deals with migrant workers and the porous border between Thailand and neighbours. Phuttiphong began his work on Manta Ray in 2010, consecutively to Mae Sot, a border town in the north of Thailand populated by Thai and Myanmar people. His original script was called Departure Day and was in two parts: the first about a migrant worker from Myanmar who slips through the border into Thailand, and the second takes places in a fishing town and concerns the search for a true identity of a mysterious man. The first part became Ferris Wheel, and the second part Manta Ray.[7]

Release

After its premiere at the Venice Film Festival,[8] the film screened at the Toronto International Film Festival,[9] San Sebastián International Film Festival,[10] Busan International Film Festival,[11] Mumbai International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival and in 2021 at the 74th Locarno Film Festival in the open doors screenings category.

Awards

Manta Ray received the award for the best film in Orizzonti Horizon Prize selection in Venice[12] and the Golden Gateway for best film in the International competition category in Mumbai.[13]

Phuttiphong won the Silver Pyramid, also known as the Special Jury Prize for Best Director, at the 40th Cairo International Film Festival, tied with Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa for Donbass.[14]

References
  1. "Phuttiphong Aroonpheng at IFFR". IFFR. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  2. Faranda, Ivana (10 September 2018). "Manta Ray (2018) reviewed by Ecodelcinema (ita)". Archived from the original on 13 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  3. "'Snowdrops' page, featuring Christine Ott and Mathieu Gabry".
  4. Batlle, Diego (9 September 2018). "'Climatic, minimalist, intoxicating, hypnotic and at times surrealistic in its circular structure, Manta Ray has an unusually seductive capacity for a first film (the musical contribution of the French duo composed of Christine Ott and Mathieu Gabry is also precious).'". Otros Cines. Archived from the original on 13 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  5. Romney, Jonathan (23 September 2018). "'With a rich sound design, and a haunting score by French keyboard-based duo Snowdrops, Aroonpheng and DoP Nawarophaat Rungphiboonsophit create an impressionistic atmosphere'". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  6. Kuipers, Richard (7 September 2018). "'Elegantly edited by the team of rising young talent Harin Paesongthai ("Someone From Nowhere") and Thai cutting-room ace Lee Chatametikool (most of Apichatpong Weerasethakul's films)'". Variety. Archived from the original on 13 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  7. Rithdee, Kong (11 September 2018). "'Strangers in a strange world'". Bangkok Post.
  8. Kuipers, Richard (7 September 2018). "Film Review: 'Manta Ray'". Variety. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  9. "Manta Ray". 20 March 2020. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  10. Romney, Jonathan (22 September 2018). "'Manta Ray': San Sebastian Review". Screen. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  11. Wong, Silvia (6 October 2018). "Busan interview: Phuttiphong Aroonpheng on 'Manta Ray'". Screen. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  12. Official Awards of the 75th Venice Film Festival Venice Film Festival
  13. Bhushan, Nyay (1 November 2018). "Mumbai: Thailand's 'Manta Ray,' India's 'Bulbul Can Sing' Win Festival's Top Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  14. Boas, Matthew (3 December 2018). "Álvaro Brechner wins the Golden Pyramid at Cairo with A Twelve-Year Night". Cineuropa. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
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