THE ANTHEM
APICHATPONG WEERASETHAKUL
Thailand | 2006 | 5mins | 35mm
"In Thailand there is a Royal Anthem before the feature presentation.
The purpose is to honour the King. One of the rituals imbedded in our society
is to give a blessing to something or someone before certain ceremonies.
I would like to propose a Cinema Anthem that praises and blesses the approaching
feature for each screening. An older lady will perform a ritual channelling
energy to the audience to give them a clear mind. The ritual will ensure
that after the feature film ends, life the outside world will be better."
Apichatpong Weerasethakul, June 2006
Apichatpong Weerasethakul's The Anthem is a celebration of film making and the collective viewing experience. An old lady is planning a ritual to channel energy to the audience to give them a clear mind. In a large set piece the old woman performs a ritual with friends as young men dance to an especially composed electric soundtrack both in praise of the Cinema God. The ritual is supposed to make a very bad film — such as many Hollywood fares — watchable, and make a good film a masterpiece.
About the artist
Apichatpong Weerasethakul (b. 1970) is a Thai artist and filmmaker based in Bangkok.
Since he began making films and videos in the early 90s, he has become one of the few filmmakers in Thailand who have worked outside the strict Thai studio system. He is active in promoting experimental and independent films through Kick the Machine, the company he founded in 1999. Feature films include Tropical Malady (2004), Blissfully Yours (2002), The Adventure of Iron Pussy (2003) and Mysterious Object at Noon (2000). Weerasethakul has presented his work in numerous international film festivals and has received many awards including the prestigious Prix du Jury at Cannes in 2004 for Tropical Malady and Le Prix Un Certain Regard also at Cannes in 2002 for Blissfully Yours. In 2005 Weerasethakul was presented with one of the most prestigious awards for Thai visual artists, Silpatorn, from Thailand's Ministry of Culture. Weerasethakul's new feature, Syndromes and a Century, commissioned by the New Crowned Hope festival, premiered at Venice Film Festival 2006. He is also a producer for the upcoming experimental feature, Heartbreak Pavilion.
Recent group exhibitions include Liverpool Biennale (2006) La force de l'art, Grand Palais, Paris and Cinéma(s), Le Magasin, CNAC, Grenoble (both 2006), The Baltic Triennial, Lithuania (2005) and The Pantagruel Syndrome, T1-Turin Triennial (2005), Taipei Biennial and the Busan Biennial (both 2004), Istanbul Biennial and the Tirana Biennial (both 2001).