Perng Mang: Glawng phee nang manut

Sometimes stories manage to surprise you in a good way, I was not expecting much from this Thai movie but I'm glad I saw it in the end.

A traditional Thai band struggles to keep the magic of their music alive with the help of a spirit inhabiting a mysterious drum. The drum's spirit makes sure the band members keep their vows towards their group and that the tradition coming back from generations would be preserved. It is up to one young man, who manages to create a special bond with the spirit, to honor all those who give their lives for the music.

It is a simple story full of color and traces of beautiful music. You really start caring for the characters while they make efforts to keep themselves faithful to the band and, at the same time, wishing for better days. It is also a story of love and loyalty with transitions of violent and bloody scenes which, strangely enough, feel natural to the melodic pace of the movie.

The movie is not perfect and has several flaws and weaknesses but it is, in the end, a really nice, original and enjoyable film.