Currently Hyped, the Film 'THE MEDIUM' and the Facts Behind It - Bringing Shamanism Story from Real Life?

Kapanlagi.com - If you are a movie lover, especially horror movies, then you are familiar with this trending film. Yes, THE MEDIUM (2021), a film from Thailand that has entered the top three in the South Korean Box Office. It's no wonder, this supernatural horror film turns out to be a collaboration between Thailand and South Korea.

Directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun and produced by Na Hong Jin, this film was released in July 2021. Since its release, this film has been widely discussed and has attracted the attention of horror movie fans. Set in Thailand, the film stars the best actors from Thailand such as Sawanee Utoomma, Narilya Gulmongkolpech, and others.

Unlike other horror films, THE MEDIUM is a mockumentary film that tells the story of the lives of local residents in a rural area who still believe in spirits and ghosts. Featuring certain ceremonial activities to ward off spirits or vice versa, this film presents its own horror with a found footage angle, as if the audience can experience the point of view of the cameraman. Here is a complete review of the film THE MEDIUM and the facts behind it. How interesting is it?

1. Ranked 3rd in the Korean Box Office and the Director Behind the Film

The Medium 2021 (Credit: IMDb)

A collaboration between Thailand and South Korea, THE MEDIUM successfully entered the South Korean Box Office with revenues reaching 5.6 million US dollars or equivalent to IDR 80.3 billion since its release. Under the producer Na Hong Jin, who successfully worked on the film THE YELLOW SEA starring Ha Jung Woo and WAILING starring Chun Woo Hee, he is now collaborating with Thai director Banjong Pisanthanakum.

They worked on a horror documentary film that features a village in Thailand with a story about local residents who still believe in witchcraft and the spirit world. The film then premiered at the 25th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival on July 11 and was first released in South Korea on July 14, 2021.

Banjong Pisanthanakum himself is a renowned Thai director, who previously achieved success with his film SHUTTER in 2004, which was later remade into a Hollywood version. He is also the director of phenomenal horror films such as PEE MAK (2013) and 4BIA (2008). Not only horror films, Banjong is also the director behind romance films ONE DAY (2016) and HELLO STRANGER (2010).

2. Lifting Shamanism Story, True Story?

The Medium 2021 (Credit: IMDb)

In the trailer and opening of the film, viewers will be presented with a narrative that showcases the Isan region in Thailand, which is said to still believe in the spirit world for centuries. They are also known to worship gods and goddesses, one of the gods they believe in the most is the God Bayan. The film's trailer also features several places of worship located in forests and people's houses.

But it doesn't stop there, the film also features scenes of possession and the possession of a woman named Mink (Narilya Gulmongkolpech) who is believed to be possessed by an evil spirit. Ni (Sawanee Utoomma) as Mink's aunt, who is also a shaman, tries to heal and remove the evil spirit from Mink's body. She plans to perform a ceremony and ritual to exorcise the spirit, but the situation becomes more tense.

In the beginning of the film itself, it is said that this film tells the story of Shamanism in Thailand. So what is Shamanism itself in Thailand and is this film based on a true story? According to thepuketnews.com, Shamanism itself is a pre-Buddhist belief that has existed for centuries in Thailand. The region believed to still be thick with this belief is Isan, the northeastern region of Thailand which is the setting of the movie THE MEDIUM.

In that local community, there is one person they believe to be a shaman who serves as a facilitator for communicating with spirits to find knowledge, healing, or eliminate negative disturbances. This is similar to what is shown in the trailer of the movie THE MEDIUM, which both give an idea of Shamanism in Isan, Thailand.

3. Achieving Prestigious Awards

The Medium 2021 (Credit: IMDb)

In the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in South Korea, the Korean-Thai horror film THE MEDIUM won the main award as Best Of Bucheon. This made Na Hong Jin's film, which was produced, win the top Bifan 2021 award. The award ceremony also served as the film's premiere at the festival.

This film is also said to be the best mockumentary film, accompanied by exorcism scenes wrapped in cinematic horror. In addition, THE MEDIUM once again became a nominee for the Official Fantastic Competition at the Sitges-Catalonian International Film Festival 2021. In IMDb itself, THE MEDIUM has a rating of 6.6 since its release. Interested in watching?

This article was written by: Aditia Lestari

4. Watch the Trailer!

(kpl/mag)