Nontawat Numbenchapol
DirectorAwat Ratanapintha
ProducerLogline
On a horror film set inspired by 1960s Thai cinema, a young rising actress loses herself in her role as strange events push her to the edge, where performance and reality collapse under the exploitative machinery of cinema.
Short Synopsis
On a horror film set inspired by the surreal glamour of 1960s Thai cinema, a young rising actress is under relentless pressure to embody perfection both on and off the set. Beyond the set, her mother’s expectations force her to maintain an image of flawless beauty and grace. On set, the punishing demands of her role and the rigid hierarchy of production slowly strip away her sense of self.
Amid the cruelty of the system, she forms an unexpected bond with an aging lighting technician, a man worn down by decades of exploitation whose quiet kindness offers her fleeting refuge. He becomes the only ally who helps her endure the suffocating world surrounding her.
As filming grows increasingly intense, she is pushed beyond her physical and emotional limits. Strange incidents begin to unsettle the production, and when a tragic incident occurs on set, the exploitation she endures drives her to the breaking point. She loses herself in the role until the line between performance and reality dissolves.
Nontawat Numbenchapol
Nontawat Numbenchapol (born may 2, 1983) is a Thai artist and filmmaker whose work blends documentary storytelling with artistic expression, often exploring political, historical, and social issues in Southeast Asia. His debut Boundary (2013), funded by the Busan International Film Festival and Art Network Asia, premiered at Berlinale, IDFA, and Yamagata. His second film, By the River (2013), became the first Thai film to receive a Special Mention at the Locarno International Film Festival. Nontawat’s most recent film, Doi Boy (2023), premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and is now distributed globally by Netflix. He has also expanded into contemporary art through video installations, photography, and multimedia works exhibited at leading institutions such as MMCA Seoul, Para Site Hong Kong, Dhaka Art Summit, and the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw. Nontawat continues to create both films and visual art with a strong commitment to questioning power structures, history, and contemporary identity.
Awat Ratanapintha
Awat Ratanapintha (born February 8, 1996) is a Thai actor, artist, and filmmaker. He began his acting career at 16 with supporting roles in Thai television series and gained international recognition for his first leading role in DOI BOY (2023), which premiered in the Jiseok Competition at the Busan International Film Festival. His performance earned him the Rising Star award from Marie Claire Korea at the BIFF Asia Star Awards (2023), as well as Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Thai Film Directors Awards, the Kom Chad Luek Awards, and the Bangkok Critics Assembly Awards (2024). He was also nominated for Best Newcomer at the 17th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong (2024). In 2025, Awat was selected as a Berlinale Talent (Actor) at the 75th Berlinale International Film Festival. Alongside his acting career, Awat has written, co-directed, and directed short films and documentaries for Thai artists and celebrities. He continues to expand his creative practice behind the camera by writing screenplays, producing short films, and creating experimental live performances. These multidisciplinary experiences have deepened his understanding of storytelling while reinforcing his commitment as a versatile and dedicated actor and filmmaker.