‘9 Temples to Heaven’ is a film telling the story of a family’s journey to make merit at nine temples. Directed by Sompot Chitkasempong of At A Time Pictures and Kick the Machine Films, it was selected by the Federation of National Film Associations as Thailand’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The film will officially screen in Thailand from 17 September in cinemas after its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and is currently touring many international film festivals worldwide.
‘9 Temples to Heaven’ is a family drama depicting a journey to visit nine temples to make merit and avert misfortune for the family’s grandmother, after a prediction that she might pass away before her birthday in two weeks. Although they come together with differing thoughts and beliefs, the nine family members—including the grandmother, her two sons, daughter, daughters-in-law, two grandsons, a granddaughter, and a grandson’s partner—decide to visit all nine temples in one day to offer donations for the grandmother. However, while their accumulated merit grows with each temple, the grandmother becomes increasingly physically and emotionally exhausted.
After releasing the documentary 'The Train Pillow' in 2016, Sompot spent nine years creating ‘9 Temples to Heaven.’ The film was selected for its world premiere in the Director’s Fortnight section at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in France last May. It is currently screening at numerous international festivals. The film has won Best Director and Best Leading Actor (Sompop Songkhamphon) awards at the Shanghai International Film Festival in China and recently received Best Film at the New Zealand International Film Festival. It will return to Thailand to open the Bangkok International Film Festival on 13 September.
“The inspiration for this film came from my own experience regularly visiting temples with my family, observing the varying beliefs and thoughts across different generations and changing times. The film presents themes very familiar to us Thais. I am very happy that ‘9 Temples to Heaven’ is returning home to be shown to Thai audiences, as I believe many will relate the story and the nine main characters to their own and their families’ experiences. Everyone involved, from the crew to the actors, has put great effort into this work. We invite all viewers to join us on this journey with the film,” said director Sompot Chitkasempong.
‘9 Temples to Heaven’ is produced by Krisada Khamyang and Apichatpong Weerasethakul. It is made by Kick the Machine Films and At A Time Pictures from Thailand, co-produced with E&W Films from Singapore, petit chaos from France, Needle in the Haystack from Norway, La Fonte from China, Square One Film from Hong Kong, and Qun Film from Indonesia. The film received support from the Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture, as well as arts funding from various countries worldwide.
Explore faith alongside nine lives in ‘9 Temples to Heaven,’ in cinemas from 17 September.
