| In
recent years, there has been a nationwide crackdown on illegal Burmese
immigrants in Thailand. This has deeply affected the Burmese community
in the country, many of whom had crossed the border to find a better
life by seeking employment in the Thai labor market. Some have also
developed close relationships with Thai people. This is the political
background of Blissfully Yours, the second film by Apichatpong
Weerasethakul. |
Even though the town in this film seems peaceful on the surface, the boredom, hidden emotional conflicts, and communication differences, produce psychological tensions between the protagonists of the story. The main character is a Burmese refugee whose fate has linked him to the lives of two Thai women in this border town. The film details their mundane activities on a typical lazy afternoon. The characters do not have a meaningful goal in life. Under two flawed political systems, they choose to remain ignorantly blissful. |
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| SYNOPSIS
Roong longs for the day when she can be in the arms of her Burmese lover, Min, an illegal immigrant. She pays Orn, an older woman to take care of Min while she looks for a place for them to share their happiness. Will an overdose of happiness have after-effects? The story begins on a Saturday afternoon when they take Min to see the doctor for his mysterious skin problem. The doctor prescribes some more medication. But Orn is not satisfied and decides to make her own medication. She stops to buy some ingredients at the market on the way to her husband's office. With her ingredients, Orn invents a miracle cream for Min. Later that afternoon, Min takes Roong to have a picnic in the jungle where they feel free to express their love. Meanwhile, Orn has also gone to the jungle with Tommy, her husband's co-worker. With him, she has found all the pleasure she has dreamed of. They are suddenly interrupted by a Burmese immigrant who steals their motorcycle. Tommy chases after the thief and disappears. Orn wanders around lost until she reaches
the stream where she meets Roong and Min. Above the forest, the
sky is about to rain |