Wiman Nam

In the lush setting of a remote durian orchard, "The Paradise of Thorns" presents a poignant narrative filled with love, loss, and legal battles. The story follows Thongkam and Sek, a gay couple whose lives are shattered by tragedy when Sek dies, leaving Thongkam to navigate grief and ownership of their shared space, all while facing the challenges of a lack of legal recognition for their relationship.

The film beautifully explores complex characters, including:

• **Thongkam** (Jeff Satur), the resilient heart of the story, whose deep love for Sek echoes the enduring durian trees he tends.

• **Mo** (Engfa Waraha), who hides her scars beneath a tough exterior yet shows devotion to her partner Saeng.

• **Sek** (Toey Pongsakorn Mettarikanon), who embodies the struggle between desire and societal expectations, revealing both sweetness and bitterness.

• **Saeng** (Seeda Puapimon), whose hidden vulnerabilities emerge too late to save her love.

• **Jingna** (Keng Harit Buayoi), the film's moral compass, offers a wise perspective on the costs of pursuit.

"Paradise of Thorns" extends beyond LGBTQ rights, reflecting on universal themes of love and loss. Against the backdrop of Mae Hong Son, it illustrates how these emotions resonate across cultures and landscapes. Ultimately, the film conveys that in life, we often find unexpected layers to our experiences, reminding us to embrace both joy and sorrow as part of the human journey.

In the lush embrace of a remote durian orchard, "The Paradise of Thorns" unfolds like a bittersweet fruit, its story as complex and layered as the Thai landscape it inhabits. This poignant Thai film weaves a tapestry of love, loss, and legal strife, centering on Thongkam and Sek, a gay couple whose shared life is abruptly severed by tragedy.

As the fragrant durian blossoms wither, so too does Thongkam's world when Sek passes away. The orchard, once a sanctuary of their love, becomes a battleground of grief and ownership. Thongkam must navigate the thorny path of reclaiming what he believes is rightfully his, while the absence of legal recognition for their union casts a long shadow over his fight.

The film's brilliance lies in its nuanced portrayal of five key characters, each a prism refracting different hues of love and loss:

Thongkam, portrayed with raw emotion by Jeff Satur, stands as the heart of the story. His endurance in the face of hardship is as steadfast as the durian trees he tends, his love for Sek rooted deeply in the soil of their shared dreams.

Mo, brought to life by Engfa Waraha, initially appears as thorny as the durian's husk. Yet, as the layers peel away, we see a woman equally scarred by love's cruel hand, her devotion to Saeng a testament to love's many forms.

Sek, played with complexity by Toey Pongsakorn Mettarikanon, embodies the conflict between desire and duty. Like a durian split open, his character reveals the sweet and the bitter - a man torn between his true self and societal expectations.

Saeng, masterfully portrayed by Seeda Puapimon, is like the roots of the durian trees - hidden yet vital. Her journey from seeming selfishness to revealed vulnerability mirrors the ripening of the fruit itself, her love emerging too late, but no less potent.

Jingna, brought to life by Keng Harit Buayoi, serves as the film's conscience. Like a bird's-eye view of the orchard, he sees all, his perspective offering a bittersweet wisdom on the cost of blind pursuit.

"Paradise of Thorns" transcends its initial premise of LGBTQ rights, blossoming into a universal meditation on love's many facets. It reminds us that in our struggle to claim what we believe we deserve, we may lose sight of what truly matters.

Set against the rustic beauty of Mae Hong Son, the film whispers that these tales of love and loss are as universal as the seasons. From Bangkok's bustling streets to the quiet durian groves of the north, human hearts beat to the same rhythm of joy and sorrow.

In the end, "Paradise of Thorns" leaves us with a profound truth: sometimes, in life's orchard, we open what we believe to be the sweetest fruit, only to find bitterness within. Yet it's in accepting this duality that we truly taste the richness of the human experience.

This film is highly intense with a rather heavy storyline. For a Thai viewer who understands the social and economic disparities in certain areas, it is even more moving. The performances are impressive despite having only 4-5 actors. The plot is intriguing, and the visuals are stunning. The film's lighting and sound are reminiscent of *Parasite*, but it is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the director of *Poor Things*. The story is not boring but constantly creates a sense of discomfort. Some scenes and dialogue are so well-written that they provoke an audible reaction. Kudos to GDH for producing a film of this nature.

This movie is so incredible, the plot is very simple but the acting and the way they construct the narrative it's what gets you. I was on edge and furious through 90% of the movie, they showcase different types of injustice, helpless and pain that got me so hooked I felt completely immersed. The last few scenes are so intense and shocking I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing.

Shout out to the actors that portrayed every emotion which such detail that makes you feel in your skin what they're feeling, the director, producers and the others involved in the screenplay, that gave so many layers to the plot and the different types of injustice different people can suffer from. This movie is one of the best I've seen in the last couple of years.

The movie, especially near the ending, had me wanting to yell at the screen, which I suppose means it did a great job of getting me invested. The cinematography is impressive, and the film tackles important underlying subject matter. It's a unique Thai movie, one that we haven't seen in a long time.

On the other side, The script can be frustrating for viewers to watch, perhaps intentionally so, but it's annoying not to see the protagonist "win" even a little. There are many cliché moments, and the direction is somewhat convoluted. The female antagonist is poorly developed; she comes across as simply evil and greedy. While there is some attempt to explain her motivations, it ultimately feels like she's just evil for the sake of it. That said, people like her do exist in real life, but they are just as annoying to interact with as they are to watch on the screen.