A Useful Ghost
| A Useful Ghost | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Thai | ผีใช้ได้ค่ะ |
| Directed by | Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke |
| Written by | Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Pasit Tandaechanurat |
| Edited by | Chonlasit Upanigkit |
| Music by | Chaibovon Seelukwa |
Production company | 185 Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 130 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | Thai |
A Useful Ghost (Thai: ผีใช้ได้ค่ะ) is an upcoming fantasy black comedy film directed and written by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke in his directorial debut. The film stars Davika Hoorne, Witsarut Himmarat, Apasiri Nitibhon, Wanlop Rungkumjud, and Wisarut Homhuan. It is a co-production of Thailand, France, Singapore, and Germany.
The film is scheduled to have its world premiere on 17 May 2025 at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Critics' Week section.
Premise
After dying from a respiratory disease, a mother's spirit possesses a vacuum cleaner to protect her husband when he begins showing the same symptoms.[1]
Cast
- Davika Hoorne as Nat
- Witsarut Himmarat as March
- Apasiri Nitibhon as Suman
- Wanlop Rungkumjud as Krong
- Wisarut Homhuan
Production
The project participated in the 2021 Locarno Film Festival's Open Doors program, where it won the top prize and received a production grant of 35,000 CHF.[2] In October 2022, the project was announced as part of Singaporean production company Momo Film Co.'s slate.[3] In May 2023, it was reported that French production company Haut Les Mains would co-produce the film.[4] In July 2023, it was selected as one of the recipients of Hubert Bals Fund+Europe: Minority Co-production Support during the International Film Festival Rotterdam.[5] In November 2023, it received a €35,000 production grant from Berlinale's World Cinema Fund.[6]
Release
A Useful Ghost will have its world premiere on 17 May 2025 at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Critics' Week section.[7][8][9] In April 2025, Best Friend Forever had acquired the film's international rights.[10]
References
- ^ Thorne, Will (10 August 2021). "Locarno Open Doors Winner 'A Useful Ghost' Uses Dust and a Ghostly Vacuum Cleaner to Comment on Thai Politics". Variety. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ Thorne, Will (10 August 2021). "Thailand's 'A Useful Ghost' Wins Top Prize at Locarno Open Doors Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (8 October 2022). "Singapore's Momo Boards 'Andragogy,' 'A Useful Ghost,' 'Dreaming & Dying'; 'Don't Cry, Butterfly' Finds U.K. Funding – Busan ACFM (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ Frater, Patrick (24 May 2023). "France's Haut Les Mains Boards 'A Useful Ghost,' From Thailand's 185 Films (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ Calnan, Ellie (11 July 2023). "Rotterdam's Hubert Bals Fund unveils titles for new post-production scheme". Screen International. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ Dams, Tim (24 November 2023). "Berlinale's World Cinema Fund backs 14 projects". Screen International. Archived from the original on 21 February 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ "The Screenings Guide of the 78th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. 8 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Rithdee, Kong (14 April 2025). ""A Useful Ghost" will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (14 April 2025). "Cannes Critics' Week Unveils 2025 Selection – Full List & Details". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 16 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ Keslassy, Elsa (14 April 2025). "Cannes' Thai Movie 'A Useful Ghost' Boarded by Best Friend Forever Ahead of Critics' Week Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.