Asian horror movie “The Coffin” based on real Thai ritual
SINGAPORE: A Thai ritual that involves lying in a coffin while alive was the inspiration behind the latest Asian horror flick “The Coffin”.
The Thai-Singapore-Hong Kong production was directed by Ekachai Uekrongtham, who made his name directing the movie “Beautiful Boxer” about the transsexual Muay Thai boxer Nong Toom.
The thought of lying in a coffin while alive may send shivers down many people’s spines, but in Thailand, the ritual is gaining popularity.
It is believed the ritual can get rid of bad luck and prolong life.
Director and scriptwriter of the movie, Ekachai Uekrongtham said, “The story is really also about confronting death and discovering something that scares you. (It) can also inspire you… (and) make you want to lead a better life.”
In the movie, an architect whose fiancée is terminally ill and a nutritionist who has a brain tumour go through the ritual.
The movie locations included real cemeteries, an active crematorium chamber and a 100-year-old Thai temple.
An elaborate religious ceremony was performed before filming began, to ask permission from the gods and to apologise for any possible wrongdoings by the cast and crew.
Despite this, there were still events that spooked them.
Ekachai said, “Our director of photography went to (the) toilet when we were shooting in a 100-year-old temple and there was a voice in the next cubicle telling him to just go, leave. So that day we left very early.”
With the theme of death running through the film, different measures were taken to make the international cast feel comfortable.
Ekachai said, “Like Karen Mok from Hong Kong, you have to give her a red packet with some money every time she finishes shooting a scene that involves dying or death.
“We have (another) actor from Hong Kong… Andrew from Hong Kong… and we have to give him some money, put it inside his shoe whenever he is in a scene… and the Thai people, we will pray to… I think three different gods before the shooting begins.”
“The Coffin” first opened in Thailand back in August, taking the number one spot at the box office.
It will open in Singapore and Malaysia on October 31 to coincide with Halloween. From there, it will be rolled out across Asia. The movie is also going to hit the festival circuit starting with India in November.
The distributors are currently in talks in the United States for a release in 2009.
As part of a challenge organised to coincide with the release of the horror film, some Singaporeans gamely pretended to be the walking dead on Saturday, for a shot at winning S$500 worth of DVDs.
“The Coffin Challenge” was organised by Scorpio East Pictures, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures and Cathay-Keris Films.
Participants were required to remain in the coffin for three seconds. The first 100 received tickets to the gala premiere of “The Coffin” on October 22, and a red packet to ward away any bad luck.
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