TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs
Movie Review

Movie Review: Mindfulness and Murder (2011) Sep 22, 2018

Movie Review: Mindfulness and Murder (2011)

Rating: star star star star star (4 stars out of 5)
Cast: Vithaya Pansringarm, Apichart Chusakul, Prinya Intachai
Director/Writer: Tom Waller
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Run Time: 1h 30min
Premiere Date: 6 April 2011
Country: Thailand
Price: FREE
Screening Location: River City Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand

River City Bangkok Feature
This movie is the third in a series of 4 internationally acclaimed movies shown at River City Bangkok. Like Under Construction Movie, it was attended by ambassadors from different embassies and movie buffs alike. The main actor and director, Vithaya Pansringarm and Tom Waller respectively, graced the event and even held a Q&A after the movie. This was followed by cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, lots of small talk where everyone felt the ease to talk to the VIPs and celebrities.

Movie Setting
This movie could have been a play. The entire movie setting was practically inside a Theravada Buddhist temple in Thailand. A homeless young man was murdered within the grounds of a Buddhist monastery and the killer could be a monk. The main protagonist is Fr. Ananda - a mild mannered monk who used to be a detective in the police force. He was assigned by the temple abbot to investigate and find out who dunnit!

Movie Review: Mindfulness and Murder (2011)

Politically Incorrect
To show a movie about drug dealing monks, homosexuality and murder in a Buddhist temple is taboo in Thailand. It took guts and conviction for the director to make this movie. It likewise showed the reality of monastic life without any glammed-up pretention. It was honest and unapologetic.

Fr. Ananda
The movie was centered on the efforts of Fr. Ananda and the zen-like approach he had in conducting his investigation. His placid acting brought realism to the film. I would pretty much say he carried the film together with some interesting characters who equally brought life to the film - the head abbot who was so natural in his acting, you would think he really was an abbot. The chain-smoking police investigator brought persuasive acting as well.

The Ending
The only thing I thought was misplaced in the film was the way everything seem to have unraveled too quickly when Fr. Ananda confronted the killer. The killer simply confessed to everything and that pretty ended up the movie. In modern day film making, usually, a brilliant twist is put in play to cleverly outsmart the killer to make him cough up a confession. This would have added a wind on the film for increased tightness. But that didn't happen - thus only 4 stars.

Socials
During the socials, I had the chance to have a short talk with Tatiana-Maria Comerzan whom I've met during the Under Construction movie last week. I also talked to Edith, who was connected to the Philippine embassy. I met an industry insider and a make-up artist. I would have wanted to talk to a Bhutan delegate who seemed magnetic and of course lovely, but she was busy with everyone. Likewise, I would have wanted to catch a word with the film director and the actor, but there was a long line.

Ending Thoughts
Even though it was a critically acclaimed movie, it never made money. I think the Thai movie going public is much like the Filipinos - they love entertainment, comedy, slapstick and showbiz. Serious but sensible films don't generally make it in the box office. At times the movie has to garner awards from overseas to be noticed and patronized in the country of origin.

Fr. Ananda was so compelling in the movie with his zen-like demeanor and placid movement that it kinda ruined it for me to meet the real actor who seemed anything but the Fr. Ananda role that he played. The actor was an amicable guy but not the Fr. Ananda character that I have already associated him with. Well, that's just me and my bias.

The next movie features Vilma Santos of the Philippines! I would really like to watch that film but as of this writing, I am already in Yangon.

--- TheLoneRider
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  48. Rope Skipping, 4mins Full-on July 22, 2018
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Bangkok Map
Google Map

Bangkok, Thailand

hotels in Bangkok HOTEL

Adventure Hostel Bangkok - N7 BTS train stop, dorm rooms, great for solo travelers, laundry, roof deck, entertainment center, kitchen, all-day tea-coffee, fridge, clean
1541 Phahonyothin Rd. Payathai

restaurant in Bangkok RESTAURANT

Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant - N7 BTS train stop, authentic Vietnamese cuisine, clean & hygienic, fresh green leafy vegetables
195 Soi Pradipat 19, Pradipat Road, Phayathai

spa and wellness in Bangkok SPA / WELLNESS

Bangkok Float Center Bangkok Float Center - experience a surreal sensory immersion as you effortlessly float on 10 inches of water, 5-stars from 524 Tripadvisor reviews
99/6-9 SHOW DC Retail and Entertainment Mega Complex (4th Floor)

gyms on On Nut, Bangkok GYM| gyms on On Nut, Bangkok YOGA

Now's Fitness Bangkok - gym equipment, yoga, Muay Thai, boxing, fitness trainer, cafe, healthy food
726 Soi On Nut 14 Rd, Khwaeng Suan Luang, Khet Suan Luang, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250


Useful Information

Bangkok Cost Index

as of Sep 4, 2018: US$1 = Baht 32 = Php 53

  • Bht 60 sm, 90 big one mug draft beer
  • Bht 13 1.5 liter drinking water
  • Bht 220 one hour massage
  • Bht 60-80 muesli breakfast
  • Bht 60-80 tom yum soup in modest eatery
  • Bht 25-30 coffee
  • Bht 30-50 pad thai
  • Bht 350 Adventure Hostel lodging
  • Bht 20-30/load laundry, coin operated machine
  • Bht 7 bus ride
Transport Maps of Bangkok
  1. Chao Phraya Express, MRT, BTS, Khlong boats, Airport Link
  2. Bus Routes: 1-14
  3. Bus Routes: 15-30
  4. Bus Routes: 32-49
  5. Bus Routes: 50-70
  6. Bus Routes: 71-88
  7. Bus Routes: 501-516
  8. individual bus routes
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train from Bang Sue Train Station

For more train info: Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains - departing from Hua Lamphong - MRT (Bangkok)

(I'm using Bang Sue as a starting point because I was closer to it, but you may be closer to the Hua Lamphong station)

  1. take the MRT train to Bang Sue Station. Take the #1 Exit to the north provincial trains
  2. Proceed to Counter 2. You will see an information booth, a train schedule chart and the ticket counter. Choose the train and pay at the ticket counter.
  3. daily train schedule:
    • 8:48am - #7 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:30pm, not sleeper, B638
    • 2:06pm - #109 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 4:05am, sleeper
    • 6:31pm - #9 Premium Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:15am, sleeper, B938 upper deck, B1038 lower deck
    • 7:56pm - #13 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 8:40am, sleeper, B768 upper deck, B838 lower deck
    • 10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck

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