The Unseeable

Steeped in traditional Thai folklore and with an eerie period setting, Wisit Sasanatieng’s (Citizen Dog, SFIAAFF ‘06) new feature takes a departure from his earlier flamboyant, distinctly modern films to serve up an elegant classic ghost story. Set in 1930’s Siam, the story centers on a young pregnant woman named Nualjan who travels to Bangkok in search of her missing husband. On the way, she takes refuge in a dilapidated mansion whose odd inhabitants include an elderly woman who stalks the grounds at night, the talkative and superstitious boarder Choy, and the severe house manager Miss Somjit, who treats Nualjan to a cold welcome and warns her against snooping. Most mysterious of all is the reclusive Madame Run Juan, the beautiful mistress of the house, who never leaves her second floor lair and is said to pine for a lost love. As Nualjan’s curiosity about the mansion’s secrets grows, she is drawn deeper into the ghostly world of this sinister place, and the mysteries of its lonely inhabitants.

The Unseeable unfolds like the most chilling of folktales, made all the more gripping by Sasanatieng’s skillful use of sound effects, camera work and ominous lighting. Inspired by the pulp illustrations of Thai artist Hem Vejakorn, the film’s lush landscape and gorgeous period details create a haunting world where the supernatural lurks around every corner. Using no digital special effects and instead relying on traditional filmmaking techniques to create suspense, The Unseeable is a stunning homage to classic Hollywood thrillers like The Haunting and Rebecca.