Thai Cinema Uncensored

by Matthew Hunt

In this first full-length study on the topic, Matthew Hunt—with access to rare and controversial films—provides a history of film censorship in Thailand. Hunt outlines its beginnings in the country, when films were censored by the police for political and ideological reasons, rather than on the basis of taste and decency, to the present when issues such as politics, religion, and sex are the main reasons films are banned. He also examines how Thai filmmakers approach culturally sensitive subjects and how their films have been censored as a result. Hunt presents interviews with ten leading directors, including conversations with Thai New Wave veterans Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Pen-ek Ratanaruang. In these interviews, the directors discuss their most controversial films, which range from mainstream studio movies to independent arthouse releases, and explain their responses to censorship.

312 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2020

About the author

Author of 'Thai Cinema Uncensored'.

Reviews

[Tok · Rating 4 out of 5]

(review soon)

[Rafa Montón · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matthew Hunt provides a comprehensive outlook on Thai cinema censorship through the decades. While completely journalistic in nature, some parts feel like comedy or science-fiction due to the absurdity involved in Thai censorship. Rather than arranged chronologically, which would have helped unfamiliar readers, Hunt has opted for a thematic approach, centering on the themes of sex/sexuality, politics and religion (albeit unevenly weighted towards the most fruitful area, politics). Fair enough. There is so much he talks about that it may ovewhelm some readers, if it were not for his focus on the underlying reasons behind censorship rather than the titles themselves, and his concise and informative style of writing. The interviews were a nice addition, and compelemented Hunt's investigation very well.

Although following it involves some slight time-traveling capabilities, Hunt's labour of love is nevertheless an otustanding and crucial work for navitating the thick, unpenetrable and ever-alluring jungle that is Thai cinema.