Directed by
Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Made by
Plexifilm
Min is an undocumented Burmese immigrant residing in Thailand, struggling with a painful and mysterious rash that covers his upper body. His devoted girlfriend, Roong, teams up with a middle-aged woman named Orn to seek medical help for him. In an effort to hide his illegal status, Min pretends to be unable to speak Thai, fearing that any verbal communication would expose his secret. Though a doctor treats him, he refuses to issue the necessary medical paperwork for a work permit due to Min’s lack of proper identification.
In a twist of fate, Roong pays Orn to assist Min, who then introduces a controversial treatment plan that includes medication touted for stress relief. While the doctor insists the medication should help, Orn shares that her neighbor claims it’s a potent anti-depressant. Orn, further revealing her thoughts, mentions the drug has affected her sexual desires and expresses a wish to have another child with her husband, though the doctor cautions her against taking the medication on days she plans to be intimate.
Meanwhile, Orn devises a plan to help Min by taking him to her husband’s workplace. However, rather than utilizing Min’s prescribed medication, she prepares a makeshift solution consisting of finely chopped vegetables alongside purchased skin creams. In a tense conversation with her husband, Orn hints at wanting another child, but he retorts negatively, blaming her for the drowning of their first-born. The emotional strain mounts as Orn then feeds him the homemade concoction, further blurring the lines of their relationship.
As the story unfolds, Roong finds herself working long hours in a factory, painting vibrant ceramic figurines. Worn down by her labor, she feigns an illness to escape work, leading Min and Orn to a hidden destination in the countryside. When they reach a breathtaking cliff-side with a view of the lush mountains, the emotional bond between Roong and Min grows stronger amidst a romantic picnic—a stark contrast to Roong’s disdain for Orn, whom she believes to be disingenuous and disliked by most.
Simultaneously, Orn’s narrative takes a darker turn as she engages in an affair with one of her husband’s co-workers. Their rendezvous is cut short when they are unexpectedly interrupted by the theft of his motorcycle, leaving Orn alone and anxious. Lost in the woods, her journey takes her to where Roong and Min are enjoying a private moment by the river. As Orn approaches them, Roong guides her into a stream, and they bond over applying lotion to Min, creating an emotionally charged scene by the riverbank.
Orn finds herself reflecting on her life choices, feeling isolated as she observes the intimacy between Roong and Min. Overcome with emotion, she notices ants crawling on the picnic remnants and dismisses much of the garbage into the water. Seeking solace, she steals a cigarette and collapses in tears, while Roong, blissfully unaware, plays with Min, whispering his name tenderly.
The film culminates with a poignant end card, noting that in December 2001, Min waits for work at a casino along the Thai-Cambodian border. Roong has rekindled her relationship with another boyfriend and runs a noodle stall nearby, while Orn continues her work as an extra in Thai films, leaving viewers pondering the complex interplay of love, desperation, and survival in a world fraught with obstacles.
Min's Struggle
Min, an undocumented Burmese immigrant, faces a severe and painful rash that covers his upper body. Living in Thailand, he grapples with his health issue while trying to hide his illegal status.
Roong and Orn's Mission
Roong, Min's devoted girlfriend, teams up with a middle-aged woman named Orn to seek medical help for Min. Together, they navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, which is further complicated by Min's lack of identification.
Medical Challenges
After a doctor's visit, Min receives treatment, but the doctor cannot provide the necessary paperwork for a work permit due to his undocumented status. This leaves Min feeling trapped and vulnerable, hiding behind a facade of silence.
The Controversial Treatment
Roong pays Orn to help Min with an alternative treatment plan that includes medications for relaxation. Orn discusses the potential side effects of the medication while sharing her personal struggles, hinting at complications in her own family life.
Orn's Domestic Struggles
Orn reveals to her husband her desire to have another child, yet he accuses her of being responsible for their first-born's death. Tensions rise in their relationship as emotional strain weighs heavily on Orn.
Makeshift Solution
Instead of the prescribed medication, Orn creates a makeshift remedy for Min, combining finely chopped vegetables with skin creams. This unconventional approach showcases her desperation to help Min, blurring the lines of their relationship.
Roong's Labor
Roong faces a grueling work schedule, spending long hours in a factory painting vibrant ceramic figurines. Overwhelmed by exhaustion, she musters the strength to feign illness to escape her strenuous job, yearning for quiet moments with Min.
A Hidden Escape
Min and Orn take Roong to a stunning cliff-side in the countryside. Surrounded by natural beauty, they share a romantic picnic that deepens Roong and Min's emotional connection, contrasting Roong's perceptions of Orn.
Orn's Descent
Orn engages in an affair with her husband's coworker, seeking solace outside her troubled marriage. Their moment of intimacy is abruptly interrupted by the theft of his motorcycle, leaving Orn feeling anxious and alone.
Unexpected Encounters
While lost in the woods, Orn stumbles upon Roong and Min by the river, where they are enjoying a tender moment. Roong, oblivious to Orn's emotional turmoil, guides her into the stream as they bond over applying lotion to Min's rash.
A Moment of Reflection
Orn, burdened by her feelings of isolation, contemplates her life choices while watching Roong and Min. Overwhelmed, she breaks down, highlighting the emotional landscape of her life as she seeks comfort in loneliness.
The Emotional Climax
As Roong plays with Min, whispering his name, Orn finds herself consumed by envy and sadness. She reaches for a cigarette, symbolizing her need for release from her emotional suffocation and reality.
The Conclusion
The film closes with a poignant note on Min, Roong, and Orn's divergent paths. Min remains at a casino seeking work, Roong runs a noodle stall while rekindling a relationship elsewhere, and Orn continues her career as an extra in Thai films.
Min
Min is an undocumented Burmese immigrant grappling with physical and emotional pain. His struggle with a mysterious rash serves as a metaphor for his larger conflicts surrounding identity and belonging, as he fears exposure due to his illegal status.
Roong
Roong is a deeply devoted girlfriend who often sacrifices her own well-being for Min's sake. Her resilience in the face of overwhelming labor and her emotional connection to Min are central to the narrative, highlighting her determination amidst hardship.
Orn
Orn is a complex character torn between her obligations and desires. As she navigates her unfulfilling life and an affair, she reflects on motherhood and her past choices, which adds layers to her character and illustrates her vulnerability.
Time period
December 2001
The film unfolds in December 2001, a period marked by economic fluctuation and social challenges in Southeast Asia. During this time, many immigrants faced significant difficulties adapting to new environments while grappling with issues of identity and legality.
Location
Thailand, Thai-Cambodian border
The movie primarily takes place in Thailand, a country known for its rich cultural heritage and beautiful landscapes. The Thai-Cambodian border is depicted as a transitional zone, highlighting the struggles of undocumented immigrants in search of a better life amidst economic challenges.
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Love & Sacrifice
The film explores deep themes of love intertwined with sacrifice as the characters navigate their complicated relationships. Roong's dedication to Min and Orn's internal struggles reflect the lengths individuals will go to for those they care about, even amid personal turmoil.
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Healthcare & Identity
Healthcare in the film highlights the urgent struggles of undocumented immigrants, particularly Min's painful condition that remains untreated due to his status. The theme emphasizes the complexities surrounding identity and the lengths individuals will go to protect their secrets.
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Nature's Refuge
The beautiful juxtaposition of nature, particularly the cliff-side and river scenes, serves as a refuge for the characters amid their turbulent lives. These serene moments underscore the emotional release and connection they seek in their otherwise chaotic existence.
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