Nang Nak
Encyclopedia
Nang Nak is a romantic tragedy and horror film directed by Nonzee Nimibutr
in 1999 through Buddy Film and Video Production Co. in Thailand
, based on a legend. It features the life of a devoted ghost wife and the unsuspecting husband.
) is sent to fight in a war
and leaves his pregnant wife, Nak (Intira Jaroenpura). Mak is injured and barely survives. He returns home to his doting wife and child, or so he thinks. Mysterious events occur around the village.
A friend visits and sees Mak living together with Nak. The villagers, knowing that Nak died in childbirth several months previously, realize what is happening, that Mak is spellbound by Nak's ghost. People who attempt to tell Mak, or who know too much, are killed by the Nak's ghost, who becomes more aggressive due to her inability to accept her early death and her desperate desire to stay with her husband.
Toward the end, Mak discovers what is happening, and shocked, flees to the local temple. The villagers attempt several solutions, including burning down the house and in the end summon a ghost exorciser to destroy her forehead (this would destroy her soul as well as the ghost).
The country's most respected Buddhist monk (in the film Somdej Toh
) arrives in the final moments, takes charge and in a tearful farewell Nak repents, leaving her husband to live his life. Somdej Toh has the centre of her forehead cut out and made a girdle brooch. He wore it till his last day. The epilogue states that it later became in possession of His Royal Highness Prince Chumbhorn Ketudomsak. Then, handed down to many others, nondetected. Until now nobody knows where the item is.
The story of Mae Nak Phra Khanong
is famous and a favorite among Thai people. There is a shrine dedicated to her at On Nut, Sukhumvit
Soi
77 in Bangkok
's Suan Luang
(formerly Phra Khanong
) district.
The tale has been depicted on film numerous times since the silent era, with one of the most famous being Mae Nak Pra Kanong in 1958. Even after this 1999 version, British filmmaker Mark Duffeld directed a remake in 2005 called Ghost of Mae Nak
. There also is an opera, Mae Nak, by Thai composer Somtow Sucharitkul.
Nonzee Nimibutr
Nonzee Nimibutr is a Thai film director, film producer and screenwriter. Best known for his ghost thriller, Nang Nak, he is generally credited as the leader among a "New Wave" of Thai filmmakers that also includes Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, Wisit Sasanatieng and Apichatpong...
in 1999 through Buddy Film and Video Production Co. in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, based on a legend. It features the life of a devoted ghost wife and the unsuspecting husband.
Plot
In a rural village in Thailand, Mak (Winai KraibutrWinai Kraibutr
Winai Kraibutr is a Thai actor. He has appeared in a number of films that have achieved significant success at the Thai box office. He is considered a bankable star in Thailand and has achieved minor international exposure through the international release of Bang Rajan...
) is sent to fight in a war
Siamese-Vietnamese War (1831-1834)
The Siamese-Vietnamese War of 1831-1834, also known as the Siamese-Cambodian War of 1831-1834, started when Siam tried to conquer Cambodia but was repelled by Viet Nam....
and leaves his pregnant wife, Nak (Intira Jaroenpura). Mak is injured and barely survives. He returns home to his doting wife and child, or so he thinks. Mysterious events occur around the village.
Toward the end, Mak discovers what is happening, and shocked, flees to the local temple. The villagers attempt several solutions, including burning down the house and in the end summon a ghost exorciser to destroy her forehead (this would destroy her soul as well as the ghost).
The country's most respected Buddhist monk (in the film Somdej Toh
Somdej Toh
Somdej Toh , known formally as Phra Buddhacharn Toh Phomarangsi, was one of the most famous Buddhist monks during Thailand's Rattanakosin Period.-Biography:...
) arrives in the final moments, takes charge and in a tearful farewell Nak repents, leaving her husband to live his life. Somdej Toh has the centre of her forehead cut out and made a girdle brooch. He wore it till his last day. The epilogue states that it later became in possession of His Royal Highness Prince Chumbhorn Ketudomsak. Then, handed down to many others, nondetected. Until now nobody knows where the item is.
Background
Mae Naak
Mae Nak Phra Khanong , or simply Mae Nak or Nang Nak , is a well known and popular Thai ghost. Local folklore claims that this story is based on actual events that took place during the 19th century.-The story:...
is famous and a favorite among Thai people. There is a shrine dedicated to her at On Nut, Sukhumvit
Sukhumvit Road
Sukhumvit Road , or Thailand Route 3 , is a major road in Thailand, and a major surface road of Bangkok and other cities it winds through. It follows a coastal route from Bangkok to Trat and is just over in length....
Soi
Soi
Soi is the term used in Thailand for a side-street branching off a major street . An alley is called a Trok .Sois are usually numbered, and are referred to by the name of the major street and the number, as in "Soi Sukhumvit 4", "Sukhumvit Soi 4", or "Sukhumvit 4", all referring to the fourth soi...
77 in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
's Suan Luang
Suan Luang
Suan Luang is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. It is bounded by other Bangkok districts : Bang Kapi, Saphan Sung, Prawet, Phra Khanong, and Watthana.-History:...
(formerly Phra Khanong
Phra Khanong
Phra Khanong is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. Its neighbor, clockwise from north, are Suan Luang, Prawet, and Bang Na districts of Bangkok, Amphoe Phra Pradaeng of Samut Prakan Province , Khlong Toei and Watthana of Bangkok.-History:Phra Khanong was an amphoe of Nakhon Khuan Khan...
) district.
The tale has been depicted on film numerous times since the silent era, with one of the most famous being Mae Nak Pra Kanong in 1958. Even after this 1999 version, British filmmaker Mark Duffeld directed a remake in 2005 called Ghost of Mae Nak
Ghost of Mae Nak
Ghost of Mae Nak is a 2005 Thai horror film thriller about a protecting ghost directed and written by British director Mark Duffield. The film stars Pataratida Pacharawirapong, Siwat Chotchaicharin and Porntip Papanai as the ghost.-Synopsis:...
. There also is an opera, Mae Nak, by Thai composer Somtow Sucharitkul.