A documentary examining the phenomenon of Thai women from the impoverished region of Isaan who marry Western husbands in Scandinavia will debut in Bangkok next month as part of the Global Migration Film Festival.
Heartbound stars Sommai, a former sex worker from the Northeast Thai province, who migrated to Denmark 25 years ago and got married. In the years since, she’s become a matchmaker, helping other Isaan women find Danish husbands. The documentary’s plot largely centers around her search for a suitor for her niece Kae.
The film was produced by Danish director Janus Metz and Sine Plambech, a researcher and anthropologist who came across the idea after working with Thai women in Denmark.
In addition to the journey of Kae and her suitor Kjeld, the film follows Saeng, a young woman in Thailand, who seeks Sommai’s help in coming to Denmark. Because Saeng is too young to get married, however, she ends up supporting her son by working in Pattaya, a town famous for its sex trade.
The film premiered in Denmark and has been screened at a few other countries. It debuted in Thailand last month in the Issan city of Khon Kaen, as part of the Khonkaen Manifesto Art Festival.
Heartbound will be screened on Dec. 16, 2pm at the Bangkok Screening Room, which will follow by a Q&A with director Sine Plembach. Admission is free, and tickets are given on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Global Migration Film Festival is held by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and partners to mark International Migrants Day, which falls on Dec. 18.
Aside from Heartbound, the three-day festival (Dec. 14-16) will feature six other films providing a variety of perspectives and celebrate cultural diversity.
Check the IOM’s website for details.
FIND IT:
Dec. 16, 2pm
Bangkok Screening Room
MRT Lumpini
1/3-7 Sala Daeng 1 Alley, Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500
Related:
Ticket to Paradise: Documentary on Isaan girls’ desire to marry farang shown at JAM
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