Citizen Dog

Colour, 35 mm
Thailand, 2004, 100 min
Section: Forum of Independents

Synopsis

The shy country kid Pod moves to Bangkok, determined to make his way in the big city. Finding work in Bangkok proves easy enough, but while working in a sardine cannery, Pod unfortunately cuts off his finger. Traipsing round the city trying to locate the tin of sardines containing his missing finger is just the start of an almost surrealistic fairytale full of absurd humour and artistic virtuosity. The lavish use of digital effects transforms grey Bangkok into a land of bright, almost kitschy colours and strange locations. The film, based on a book by the director’s wife Koynuch (which he then illustrated), does not take itself too seriously and contains an unusually high dose of self-irony. As if it wanted to say: Laugh at me! At the same time, however, the film is moving, original and extremely witty.

About the director

Wisit Sasanatieng (b. 1964, Thailand) studied at Silpakorn University, Bangkok’s most important art school. He worked as a director of commercials and wrote scripts for films by his friend and colleague Nonzee Nimibutr. His directing debut Tears of the Black Tiger was the first Thai film ever selected for the Cannes film festival. Films: Tears of the Black Tiger (Fah talai jone, 2000), Citizen Dog (Mahnakorn, 2004).