Holidays - a precious time for movie buffs

Yes, they are among the middle-class, to whom some money could be comfortably spared for trips, unlike the low-income group who have to save dearly for family re-union trips. The behaviours lead to years of survey of Thais’ spending and local/overseas trips are among key spending items. (Of course, spending on merit making is the No. 1 choice of the elderly, particularly those in provinces.) 

Yet, I believe that many Bangkokians would remain in the city during the water festival. Aside from the light traffic, they can enjoy the festival at several places. To someone addicted to home, it is a quiet moment to enjoy movies. 

Just last weekend, I was totally overwhelmed by the plot of “Limitless”. It featured no famous actors, but Robert De Niro, but it captured all my attention with the plot. 

Eddie, a futureless writer, accidentally bumped into his brother-in-law who offered him an untested drug, called NCT. Like he said, the magical drug draws all hidden energy from human body. Eddy spent a night finishing his novel. Taking more pills, he could vividly recall all memories seen or heard from somewhere. His mathematic skills were sharpened and he turned himself into a consultant and a senator. 

I’m convinced that is the miracle that all human being dream of, as they are striving to outshine others for a prominent space in the busy world. 

Like what Eddie experienced, everything comes with a side-effect. He almost choked to death without a pill, and survived only when he learnt how to maintain the quantity. 

Most men are like Eddie. He knew that many who took the drug are dead or ill, but he was addicted to the induced supremacy and decided to live with the drug. 

The movie reminded me of “The Devil’s Advocate”, a 1997 film featuring Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino. In the movie, a hot-shot lawyer (Keanu) learnt later that he has risen fast because of Lucifer’s power. At first, he was addicted to the fame that he nearly lost his wife. In the film, he left all the alluring things behind. Returning home and volunteering to help the locals, he however discovers another attractive offer, again from Lucifer. It’s interesting if he would successfully make an escape this time. 

During the 9th World Film Festival of Bangkok in November, I was lucky enough to find time to watch the Hungarian film, “The Turin Horse. Directed by acclaimed director Béla Tarr and Ágnes Hranitzky, the 146-minute black-and-white film featured nothing but the routines of an old man, his daughter and a horse, living in a deserted area that was battered by strong cold wind. 

Everyday, his daughter helped the old man, with a limping hand, get dressed and prepared the horse for a ride. Everyday, she fetched water in a well outside the house to boil two potato. Everyday, they had potato with salt. One day, they decided to leave the barren land, only to return to the house. They had no more energy, said Bela Tarr who was in Bangkok. There was no point in struggling. 

The plots of these movies deserve to ring in our mind, particularly when we are celebrating the traditional Thai New Year. 

Yes, I still want to make a trip, but not during long holiday periods like this when all scramble for food and space on the roads. I still want to progress in my career. And if I happen to stumble on a miracle pill like Eddie did, I would be tempted to try it. Who knows, you might then be reading a Pulitzer Prize report from me (under the drug’s influence). 

As much as a sane person can promise, I vow not to get addicted. I do hope that the lessons from the movies would drag me away from something that carries no real meaning in life. For now, I’m planning to see more during the upcoming long holiday period. Happy Songkran Day!