Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Biography

Apichatpong Weerasethakul began making films and video shorts in 1994 and completed his first feature in 2000. He works outside the commercial Thai film industry, devoting himself to promoting experimental and independent filmmaking through his production company Kick the Machine Films, founded in 1999.

His non-linear installations, videos and films blend cinema and contemporary art. Reflecting a strong sense of dislocation, his works deal with memory, subtly addressed personal politics and social issues.

Weerasethakul has also mounted exhibitions and installations, including the multi-screen project Primitive, 2009, which was presented at Haus der Kunst, Munich, Germany; Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, France and the New Museum, New York, among other venues. In 2012, he created the online film Cactus River for the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, and it was featured in Documenta 13, Kassel, Germany.

The French Government named him Chevalier de l’ordre des arts et des lettres and Officier de l’ordre des arts et des lettres (2008 and 2011 respectively). His works have been awarded numerous festival prizes, including three from the Cannes Film Festival: A Certain Regard for Blissfully Yours (2002); Prix du Jury for Tropical Malady (2004); and Palme d’Or for Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010).

Weerasethakul earned a BA in architecture from Khon Kaen University, Thailand (1994). He received an MFA in Filmmaking as well as an Honorary Doctorate from from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1998 and 2011 respectively).

Born in 1970 in Bangkok, he lives and works in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

SAF participation:
Sharjah Biennials 10 and 11 (2011, 2013)