The filmmaker is courageous in revealing this less-than-laudable aspect of Thai culture, with Nam's teacher calling her "dark skinned" in the film's opening moments. If you've not lived here, you may be entirely unaware of the social status Chinese features and pale skin award people, and how much shame is bestowed on those who look exactly like the indigenous people of this region. What she's really subordinated by is her Thai features and dark complexion. Nam, the protagonist for this film, is characterized as "plain" and "awkward" in the film's beginning. The inhabit a world that is at once filled with mystical notions and aspirations, and also rife with the most petty and spiteful stereotypes and internal racism. What this particular film does, in its own sublime way, is reveal so much about the character and culture of the world's most lovable people. it's a teen love story, and if there's a way to create something unique in the way of plot vehicles for this genre, I'd like to hear it. The story in itself is pretty unremarkable. This is a film that anyone can enjoy, provided they leave their own cultural bias' by the door.
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