MORAKOT (EMERALD)

• Format DVD
• Length 11:50 minutes (loop)
• Medium Single Channel Video Installation
• Aspect Ratio 16:9
• Sound Dolby 5.1
• Year 2007 (October)
  
  
  

  In The Pilgrim Kamanita, a Buddhist novel written in 1906 by the Danish writer Karl Gjellerup, the protagonists are reborn as two stars and take centuries to recite their stories to each other, until they no longer exist.

  Morakot is a derelict and defunct hotel in the heart of Bangkok that opened its doors in the 1980's: a time when Thailand shifted gears into accelerated economic industrialization and a time when Cambodians poured into Thai refugee camps after the invasion of Vietnamese forces. It was a hosting time. Later, when the East Asian financial crisis struck in 1997, these reveries collapsed.

  Like Kamanita, the unchanged Morakot is a star burdened with (or fueled by) memories. Apichatpong collaborated with his three regular actors, who recounted their dreams, hometown life, bad moments, and love poems, to re-supply the hotel with new memories.

Cast: Sakda Kaewbuadee, Jenjira Pongpas, Nitipong Thinthupthai

Director/ Cinematographer/ Editor/ Producer: Apichatpong Weerasethakul
General Assistant: Suphapich Thitithammasak
Continue: Manita Niyomprasit
Art Director: Akekarat Homlaor
Assistant Art Director: Montri Busayasiri/ Manusak Phrommakhun/ Chadil Yuenying
Still Photography: Chaisiri Jiwarangsan
CG: Blursky Studio
Sound recording: Narathip Tungkaseranee
Sound Designer & Supervisor: Akritcharlerm Kalayanamitr
Recorded, Mixed, and Mastered at Atomix Studio
Post Production Assistant: Chalermrat Kaweewattana
Post Production Supervisor: Lee Chatametikool
Account Administrator: Parichart Pu-Aree  

      
Emerald is funded in part by
The James Thompson Foundation, Bangkok
Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo
Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, Ministry of Culture, Bangkok