SYNDROMES AND A CENTURY

So I just watched SYNDROMES AND A CENTURY (2006), and it was my first introduction to Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul's work. And what an interesting piece of work it is.

SYNDROMES AND A CENTURY is described as being an "abstract drama". But nothing really dramatic ever occurs, and there are actually more humorous moments than serious ones. The film is told in two parts, the first centered around a female physician at a small rural clinic and the second a male doctor at a big, modern metropolitan hospital. There is no real story to speak of, but more a collection of poignant and humorous moments that chronicle budding relationships amongst these two characters. Apparently the film is a tribute of sorts to Weerasethakul's parents, who are both physicians, and his own memories from spending so much time growing up in hospitals.

Weerasethakul shoots in long, extended takes with an unobtrusive observatory eye... it's patiently and beautifully paced. There is something of an affinity for nature in the film as well- for example in one really interesting scene, the camera initially tracks the conversation of two characters on a balcony, only to move past them seemingly distracted by the lush green landscape behind them.

The second half of SYNDROMES AND A CENTURY basically takes the characters and situations from the first half, and relocates them in a new setting with slightly different variations on how the moments unfold. The film is pretty enigmatic, and a total subjective experience as far as what you take from it. I think trying to dig for one single "meaning" is actually an obnoxious approach, as the simple emotions evoked moment to moment were enough for me. However I was also definitely left pondering the idea of circularity in life- for sure a major theme. I just loved how quiet the film was, how rich and humanist it was. There are so many great, small interactions between characters, you feel like you're studying tiny movements through a microscope.

I was really really reminded of Tsai Ming Liang by this. I'm sure that comparison has been made a million times already, but its true. Both filmmakers have a really similar meditative aesthetic. Anyway, I have BLISSFULLY YOURS coming next. Looks really good. Wahooo.