While Thai horror films often explore Buddhist beliefs, have you ever seen a horror film from Thailand that centers around Islamic beliefs? The Cursed Land is one such film, telling the story of a family seeking help from a Muslim shaman to rid themselves of a jinn disturbance.
The film follows a father and his daughter who are haunted by jinn after the daughter inadvertently releases a 200-year-old curse. Curious about this latest Thai horror film? The team from todaystageid attended the gala premiere hosted by CBI Pictures at CGV Grand Indonesia, Jakarta, where they were greeted by one of the stars, Bront Palarae.
Before the film began, Bront Palarae read messages from the director and co-stars Ananda Everingham and Jennis Oprasert, who were unable to attend.
“Hello everyone, thank you for coming to our event tonight. We have friends from Bangkok here for The Cursed Land,” said Bront Palarae.
First, from director Panu Aree, he stated, “I hope the Indonesian audience enjoys the show.”
Next, Jennis Oprasert expressed, “If I have a chance, I hope to meet all of you. Thank you for always supporting.”
Finally, Ananda Everingham, speaking in Indonesian, said, “So The Cursed Land has changed travel for the Indonesian audience. saya berharap saya bisa berada disana langsung untuk menonton film bersama kalian silahkan nikmati dan terima kasih sudah datang dan jika ini tidak masuk akal salahkan google transate.” At the end, the Pengabdi Setan star added, “Just enjoy the movie!”
Also in attendance was the renowned host Jirayut from Narathiwat, who shared his thoughts: “I’m actually upset because I wasn’t invited, but I’m so proud, especially since Narathiwat is so remote in Thailand and now it’s being made into a film recognized by people. I’m very proud.”
Notably, The Cursed Land features not only Thai actors but also talent from neighboring Malaysia. The film stars Ananda Everingham as Mit, Jennis Oprasert as May, and Bront Palarae as Heem. Bront is a well-known Malaysian actor in Indonesia, recognized for his roles in films like My Stupid Boss, Ayat-Ayat Cinta 2, and the horror film Pengabdi Setan.
The screenplay is written by Kong Rithdee, with directors Nonzee Nimibutr and Panu Aree at the helm. Nonzee Nimibutr is acclaimed for directing popular Thai films such as Nang Nak (1999), Jan Dara (2001), and Once Upon A Star (2023). The production company for the film, Neramitnung Film, is also known for working on the horror film Inhuman Kiss 2.
The plot revolves around a widower and his daughter who journey to Southern Thailand to seek help from a Muslim shaman after finding no protection from anyone, even Buddha, against the jinn that were unleashed from a 200-year-old curse. This horror film draws heavily on ghost stories and folk legends that are integral to Southeast Asian culture. The Cursed Land also serves to highlight the identity and history of the Muslim community in Thailand.
Director Panu Aree stated that he aims to use this film to explore the unique identity of the Muslim community in Thailand on an international stage. The main shooting location was Narathiwat, a province in Southern Thailand where the majority of the population practices Islam and speaks Malay. Narathiwat has long faced separatist issues and unrest, making it a region that is often overlooked in Thai cinema.
Both directors chose Narathiwat for its natural limitations in terms of geography and spirituality, with its less modernized environment and surrounding forests providing the perfect backdrop for the film’s themes.
Before its confirmed cinema release, The Cursed Land has already been showcased at several international film festivals. It premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival in the Netherlands from late January to February 2024. The film’s release in Thai cinemas was announced for May 9, 2024, marked by the release of two new posters by Neramitnung Film. It is scheduled to hit Thai theaters on July 11, 2024.
As a horror film exploring Islamic beliefs, The Cursed Land adds a new dimension to the Thai horror genre. Although there’s no official confirmation for its screening in Indonesian theaters yet, it will be marketed internationally by WME Independent and is set to be released in Indonesia on October 9. Don’t miss it!
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