Angulimala (film)

Infobox Film
name = Angulimala


caption = The Thai movie poster.
director = Suthep Tanniratana
producer = Adirek Watleela
writer = Suthep Tanniratana
narrator =
starring = Noppachai Chaiyanam Stella Malucchi
music =
cinematography =
editing =
distributor = Film Bangkok
released = flagicon|Thailand April 11, 2003
runtime = 105 min.
country = Thailand
language = Thai
budget =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website = http://www.filmbangkok.com/angulimala/#
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0417431

"Angulimala" ( _th. องคุลิมาล, or "Ongkulimal") is a 2003 Thai fantasy-adventure-drama film based on the Buddhist-scripture story of Angulimala. The film is directed by Suthep Tanniratana and stars Noppachai Chaiyanam as Angulimala. The story is a tale of redemption for the character, who embarks on a series of killings in which he must murder 1,000 people, collecting a finger from each victim and wearing the fingers in a garland around his neck. Later, when he realizes he was tricked into his wrongdoings, he tries to atone for his sins by becoming a Buddhist monk. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid=16&id=76894&usrsess= Pretty spiritual] , "The Nation", April 4, 2003 (retrieved on January 21, 2007).] The film was controversial on its release in Thailand, with religious leaders and government officials saying it was a distortion of Buddhist teachings. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid=2&id=75844&usrsess= House panel wants changes to film] , "The Nation", March 20, 2003 (retrieved on January 21, 2007).]

Plot

Born a Brahmin, Ahimsaka is studying under a guru when he sees a woman named Nantha attempting to commit suicide by jumping off a cliff. He saves her, but later learns that Nantha was intended to be the bride of his teacher.

The teacher, angered by Ahimsaka's attention to his wife-to-be, tells his student that the only way he will attain enlightenment is to kill 1,000 people. This sets Ahimsaka off on a life as a highwayman, and at first he seeks to kill only bandits and other evildoers. To keep track of his victims, he takes a finger from the right hand of each, and wears the fingers around his neck, thus earning him the name Angulimala, "the wearer of a garland of fingers." He struggles to find 1,000 victims, so he resorts to killing all who cross his path. Nantha, wanting to stop the killing, tries to kill Ahimsaka, but only succeeds in killing herself.

Eventually, he meets the Buddha himself, who tells Ahimsaka of his wrongful ways and convinces the killer that he can redeem himself by becoming a Buddhist monk.

Cast

* "Peter" Noppachai Chaiyanam as Ahimisaka/Angulimala
* Stella Malucchi as Nantha
* John Rattanaveroj as Vikul
* Kamron Gunatilaka as Sati
* Alisa Kajornchaiyakul as Mantanee
* Caterina Grosse
* Varin Sachdev
* Anant Sammarsup as Kakkapakawa

Reception

Religious leaders and Buddhist groups called for the film to be banned, voicing concerns that it distorted Buddhist teachings and glorified violence. [http://buddhistnews.tv/current/ongkulimal-020403.php Movie based on Buddhist teachings needs new title] , "Bangkok Post", April 2, 2003 (retrieved via Buddhist News Archive on January 22, 2003).] The film was initially blocked from release by government censors, who demanded the film be re-edited. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid=2&id=75844&usrsess= House panel wants changes to film] , "The Nation", March 20, 2003 (retrieved on January 21, 2007).] [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid=12&id=87171&usrsess= No sex in this city state] , "The Nation", October 14, 2003 (retrieved on January 21, 2007).]

Some violent scenes were removed and the film's tagline was changed. It was then viewed by revered monk Phra Phisan Dhammavadhi, who had earlier called for the film to be banned, and found acceptable. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid=3&id=76470&usrsess= Monk wants film banned] ,"The Nation", April 1, 2003 (retrieved on January 21, 2007).] [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid=3&id=76575&usrsess= Censorship woes delay film's debut] , "The Nation", April 3, 2003 (retrieved on January 21, 2007).]

The film had poor box-office reception in Thailand, which producers blamed on the delay. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid=18&id=75886&usrsess= Classic tale retold] , "The Nation", March 21, 2003 (retrieved on January 21, 2007).] [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid=12&id=81377&usrsess= Box office blues] , "The Nation", July 3, 2003 (retrieved on January 21, 2007).]

Nonetheless, "Angulimala" won at the Thailand National Film Association Awards for best costumes, best visual effects and best supporting actress for Alisa Kajornchaiyakul. It was screened at the Moscow International Film Festival in 2004, where it was in competition for a Golden St. George. It also screened at the Asian Film Festival of Paris in 2004, [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid=18&id=94216&usrsess= Piracy on the pavements] , "The Nation", February 26, 2004 (retrieved on January 21, 2007).] and the International Buddhist Film Festival in 2005.

References

External links

*
* [http://www.filmbangkok.com/angulimala/# Official site]
* [http://www.movieseer.com/MovieProfileBil.asp?moID=2730&Channel=2 MovieSeer synopsis]