Watch Cemetery of Splendor

In the movie Cemetery of Splendor, we are taken on a surreal journey through the dreams of a group of soldiers who have all mysteriously fallen ill and are now sleeping in a makeshift clinic. The film is set in a rural Thai town where a construction project has unearthed an ancient burial ground, leading to a surge in spirit activity and the soldiers' strange afflictions.

The film centers on Jenjira Pongpas, who plays a middle-aged volunteer at the clinic who spends her days caring for the soldiers and reading to them. She forms a bond with one of the patients, a handsome young soldier named Itt, played by Banlop Lomnoi, and begins to experience vivid dreams that seem to connect her to the spirits of the ancient cemetery. As she explores these dreams, she uncovers hidden truths about the town's past and present, including the mysteries surrounding the soldiers' illness.

Throughout the film, we are taken on a mesmerizing journey through the surreal landscape of Jenjira's dreams, which are filled with vivid imagery and haunting, otherworldly creatures. The film combines elements of magical realism, traditional Thai folklore, and political commentary to create a unique and thought-provoking meditation on the nature of memory, history, and identity.

Director Apichatpong Weerasethakul, who won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for his previous film, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, once again proves himself to be a master of blending the mundane with the mystical, creating a cinematic experience that is at once whimsical and profound.

The performances by Pongpas and Lomnoi are both subtle and deeply affecting, capturing the nuance and complexity of their characters' emotions and experiences. Supporting performances by Jarinpattra Rueangram and other members of the cast help to round out the film's richly imagined world.

Cemetery of Splendor earns its title with its hauntingly beautiful cinematography, which captures the rich vibrancy of the Thai landscape and the ethereal beauty of the spirits who populate it. The film's sound design is also noteworthy, with a haunting score and expert use of ambient noise and silence to heighten the dreamlike atmosphere.

Though Cemetery of Splendor may not be for everyone, with its abstract storytelling and unconventional pacing, those who are willing to immerse themselves in its dreamlike world will be richly rewarded. The film is a true feast for the senses, offering a feast of sights and sounds that stay with the viewer long after the credits roll. So, this movie is a must-watch for those who love slow, surrealistic, and visually stunning films that explore the intersections of history, memory, and the supernatural.

Cemetery of Splendor is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 88.