Watch By The Time It Gets Dark

By the Time It Gets Dark is a Thai movie that came out in 2016. Directed by Anocha Suwichakornpong, the film features a non-linear narrative that takes the viewer on a journey that spans different times and places. It is a contemplative piece that explores themes such as memory, identity, and the role of art in society. Although it may be a challenging movie for some viewers, it rewards those who are willing to engage with it on a deeper level.

The story of By the Time It Gets Dark is not easy to summarize, as it weaves together multiple threads that are interspersed throughout the movie. At its core, the movie is about a filmmaker named Ann who wants to make a movie based on the life of a woman named Taew. Taew was a political activist in the 1970s who was arrested and tortured by the authorities. She later became a successful writer but retreated from the public eye due to trauma and disillusionment. Ann interviews Taew and other people from her life, including a former lover and a filmmaker who made a documentary about Taew.

However, the movie is not just about Ann's quest to make a movie about Taew. It also features several other characters who have their own stories to tell. For example, we see a young woman who works as a maid at a resort and is struggling with her own identity, as well as a group of actors who are rehearsing a play about a family that is torn apart by political tensions. These different threads are connected thematically rather than chronologically, creating a dreamlike quality to the movie that can be disorienting at times but also allows for multiple interpretations.

One thing that stands out about By the Time It Gets Dark is its use of visuals and sound. The cinematography by Ming-Kai Leung is stunning and draws attention to the beauty of the Thai landscape. The movie also makes use of archival footage and photographs, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. The sound design by Akritchalerm Kalayanamitr is equally impressive, with moments of eerie silence and sudden bursts of noise adding to the movie's overall atmosphere.

Another aspect of the movie that is worth mentioning is its critique of the Thai government and its treatment of political dissent. By featuring a character like Taew, the movie acknowledges the trauma and violence that people in Thailand have experienced as a result of their political beliefs. However, the movie also suggests that this trauma is not limited to one specific event or era but is something that has been passed down through generations. By exploring different characters and their stories, the movie suggests that trauma is intricately connected to memory and that the act of remembering is political in itself.

Overall, By the Time It Gets Dark is a challenging but rewarding movie. It is a meditation on memory, identity, and the power of art to confront political trauma. Its non-linear structure and dreamlike imagery may be confusing for some viewers, but those who are willing to engage with it on a deeper level will find a movie that rewards repeated viewings. It is a testament to the power of cinema to explore complex ideas and emotions and to challenge the viewer's perceptions of reality.

By The Time It Gets Dark is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 73.