A Useful Ghost: Recognised in Cannes, Thai director hopes film stirs political debate at home

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When Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke became the first Thai director to win the Critics Week’s Grand Prize in May, he paid an unusual tribute. “I would like to dedicate this award to all the ghosts in Thailand,” he told the audience. Ratchapoom’s film, A Useful Ghost, tells the story of a man whose wife dies after falling ill from dust pollution, and whose spirit returns by possessing a vacuum cleaner. It is a quirky story full of symbolism and dark humour that explores power and political oppression in Thailand. “One of the main intentions for the film would be [to talk about]...