Railway Sleepers

หมอนรถไฟ

A film by Sompot Chidgasornpongse

• Format DCP Interop format 24fps
• Sound 5.1 surround
• Country Thailand
• Featuring Francois Langello
• Assistant Director Phim Umari
• Production Manager Panu Trivej, Kissada Kamyoung
• Post Production Supervisor Lee Chatametikool
• Post Production Producer Sinjai Piraisangjun, Noorahaya Lahtee
• Senior Colorist Passakorn Yaisiri
• Colorist Chaitawat Thrisansri
• Assistant Digital Conform Sorawich Khunpinij
• DCP Mastering Thitiwat Khajorn, Sorawich Khunpinij
• Sound Mixer Akritchalerm Kalayanamitr
• Sound Editor Chalermrat Kaweewattana
• With the support of Asian Cinema Fund, South Korea & Ministry of Culture, Thailand

“Railway Sleepers” explores the close connection between Thai people and Thai railway, a celebration and record of what it is like to live in Thailand today. Through various activities and scenes inside and outside the moving vehicles, the film turns the train into the microcosm of life in Thailand during this changing time.

With mundane talk, onboard walks, outward gazes, exchanged glances, sitting, and sleeping, the film takes the audience to experience a 2-day, 2-night trip from the north to the south. As the vehicle’s rhythm synchronizes with the mechanics of a movie camera, the long history of the Thai train is encapsulated in this moving entity, while we become passengers of light.

Thailand was introduced to trains in 1890 during the reign of King Rama the 5th. It was once the sign of modernity. However, with corruption and the inefficient operation of the train bureau, the Thai train failed to improve for many decades. From the colonial era on, the Thai train became a vehicle frozen in time.

Trains have always been my favorite form of transportation. To me, it is a mobile replica of life itself. It brings strangers together. We cross paths as we move ahead in similar directions but with different destinations. The train is also embedded with a history that reflects the development of my country. “Railway Sleepers” invites the audience to take a journey along the edge of modernity and nostalgia.