The Paradise of Thorns
Tucked beneath the lush mountains of northern Thailand, Thongkam and Sek build their own paradise within a durian orchard. The fruits of their labour bear witness to their undying promise and devotion to each other. However, when tragedy strikes and Sek suddenly dies, Thongkam not only loses his loved one but also their cherished orchard. Without his name on the deed, Sek’s mother and her adopted daughter arrive to claim what they believe is theirs, with unresolved family mysteries and dramas in tow.
With stunning cinematography and a vivid score, The Paradise of Thorns offers a poignant, multi-layered, and sensitive commentary of rural Thai society, where inequality is the norm, and familial bond and loyalty is often tested by the conditions. Set in the very recent time when same-sex marriage was yet to be legalised in Thailand, the film is a powerful testament to queer resilience and an unforgettable melodrama chock-full of confrontations with explosive consequences.
