Young monk discovers a scary secret
By Tatat Bunnag
Photographs are courtesy
of Sahamongkol Film International
Did you know
Nak lost almost 10 kilograms before filming in order to look more like a monk.
There are certain things in the world that you shouldn't mess with. There are even some sacred places that, if you disrespect them, will disrespect you back.
After initially being banned for featuring controversial content, the newly re-edited and renamed Arpat (Breach) from Sahamongkol Film International is a horror film that will send a chill down your spine.
Directed by Kanitta Kwanyoo, Arpat stars 22-year-old Charlie Trairat (Nak), who first found fame in the hit 2003 film, Fan Chan (My Girl). He plays Son, a self-indulgent teenager forced by his parents to be ordained as a novice monk. He breaks the rules by developing a secret romantic relationship with a local girl, played by 15-year-old newcomer Ploy Sornarin. Soon after that, Nak discovers a frightening secret at the temple.
Student Weekly recently caught up with Nak and Ploy to ask them about the making of Arpat and the controversy surrounding the film.
Student Weekly: Can you tell us about your characters in the film?
Nak: Son is a troubled kid who is being punished by his father for his bad attitude. He’s forced to become a novice monk even though he isn’t ready. As a novice he starts breaking the rules, which is when the spooky events begin.
Ploy: My character is Fai, a young girl who lives with her grandmother in the countryside. Despite being well-behaved, she’s full of curiosity. She meets Son when she makes merit at the temple.
Student Weekly: Nak, have you ever been ordained as a monk in real life?
Nak: No, because I’m Catholic. It was interesting for me to get this role, because I got to do something new. I learned all about monk’s activities and duties. In one scene the monks go outside seeking alms in the morning. I’d just shaved my head and the sun was so hot, so my head and back got burned. [Laughs.]
Student Weekly: Ploy, this is your second feature film. How did it go?
Ploy: It was a new experience for me. This was my first ghost movie. In Arpat, I was the youngest in the cast, so I got nervous while filming. I know that I still have a lot to learn about acting.
Student Weekly: What do you think about people saying that the film could harm the image of Buddhism by showing a novice behaving badly?
Nak: That’s not true at all. You’ve got to see the film to understand what kind of message it has. My mom was worried when I first got offered the role. But the film actually teaches people to separate what is good and what is evil. There are a lot of moral lessons in this movie.
Student Weekly: Where was the film shot?
Nak: We filmed in a couple of different provinces. Some scenes were shot in Pak Chong district in Nakhon Ratchasima, and some in Nakhon Nayok. There are so many cool places in Nakhon Nayok, like old villages, old temples and woods with giant trees which are spooky at night.
Student Weekly: Are you afraid of ghosts?
Ploy: Yes! I don’t even like being by myself in the dark.
Nak: No, not really. I’ve never been scared of ghosts at all, because I’ve never experienced anything like that in my life. I’m more scared of fierce women! [Laughs.]
Vocabulary
- mess with (phrasal v): to get involved with something that may be harmful
sacred (adj): connected with a god or religion and considered to be holy
controversial (adj): causing a lot of angry public discussion and disagreement
self-indulgent (adj): allowing yourself to do things that you like, especially when you do this too much or too often
ordain (v): to make somebody a monk or priest
spooky (adj): strange and frightening
curiosity (n): a strong desire to know about something
alms (n): food given to monks
fierce (adj): angry and aggressive
