Pop Aye

Not long ago one of Bangkok’s most sought-after architects, Thana’s time now seems to be over: his once celebrated masterpiece is about to be torn down, at work he is being replaced by a young gun and his wife no longer shows any interest in him. While walking down the street one day he suddenly catches sight of his childhood ‘pet’, the elephant Pop Aye and Thana comes up with a plan. He buys the elephant and decides to return to the village where he was born – far away from the stress and competitive pressure of the big city. On his adventurous journey along a country road, the man and his giant companion are surprised by a number of odd encounters, including a clairvoyant tramp, two overly bureaucratic police officers and a lady boy with karaoke ambitions. Kirsten Tan’s unique road trip tells of everlasting friendship, personal dreams and the intransigent effort needed to get back to one’s roots and find peace. With its beautifully serene narrative style, mildly melancholic undertone and subtle situational comedy, Tan has managed to create a film that becomes emblazoned on the mind.