Mundane History

Should I switch off the lights?

MUNDANE HISTORY:

Your room is this way.

Lift your legs.

Turn over.

Turn back.

Sit up.

Put on your shirt.

I'm sorry.

Please wake me up if I doze off again.

You were talking in your sleep.

It's an old habit.

My mom said I sleep-talked a lot as a child.

Hope I didn't say anything too strange.

It's a lot better these past ten years.

But it still comes and goes.

Time for your medicine.

The food looks good.

Sit.

I had Kaew cook Ake's favourite dishes.

Let's eat.

How is the food?

Good.

Do you need a hand?

What did you say?

Can you turn off the radio?

Let me help.

- It's alright.

What's for dinner?

- A lot.

Khun Thanin said you will dine upstairs

with him and Khun Ake tonight.

He is kind, just as you said.

But I'll miss your spicy food tonight.

How is Khun Ake doing?

He needs time.

It's difficult, especially at his age.

Poor thing.

They must have bad karma from their past

lives.

They?

Khun Ake's mother was really ill too.

She suffered a lot in her last days.

I'll go check on Khun Ake.

The curry needs more spice.

I don't know how to describe it.

The house is beautiful.

But everyone here

is just so soulless.

Not sure I can last here long.

Will you be mad if I quit?

I know it's important for you.

For us.

I'm not angry.

Why would I be?

You're right about this.

OK?

I love you.

Bye.

What are you staring at?

Shall I let you feed me?

There. Feed me.

Will you excuse me?

Come and join us.

I'm Pun, here to take care of Khun Ake.

I'm Kaew. I'm the cook.

That's my nephew, Pui.

Hello.

- Hello.

Are you from Bangkok?

No, I'm from Prae.

But I grew up and studied in Khon Kaen.

Where are you from?

Roi-Et. But I've lived in Bangkok for ages.

Nice and spicy. Did you make it?

- Who else?

Do Khun Ake and Thanin like spicy food?

Khun Thanin is kind.

He lets us cook our own food.

Quite often, he isn't home for dinner.

Kaew!

Don't talk with your mouth full.

Oh, Khun Thanin left a few hours ago.

He said he'd be out for a while.

He might not be back for dinner.

You'd better finish eating and go attend to

Khun Ake.

He vomited.

But I already cleaned it up.

Should I switch off the lights?

Phakpoom Surapongsanuruk

Arkaney Cherkham

Paramej Noiam

Anchana Ponpitakthepkij

Karuna Looktumtong

Art Director:
Parinda Moongmaiphol

Director of Photography: Ming Kai Leung

Sound Design:
Akritchalerm Kalayanamitr

Music:
The Photo Sticker Machine & Furniture

Editor:
Lee Chatametikool

Producers:
Soros Sukhum Anocha

Suwichakornpong

Director:
Anocha Suwichakornpong

Should we start physical therapy today?

No.

Wait. His room is upstairs.

Don't.

Pun.

- Yes?

Ake's things are in the dresser.

Take a look and see.

Let me show you your room.

I'll be out for a while.

If you need anything, ask Somjai.

OK.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

- Very well, then.

Would you like to watch TV?

Uncle Yut and Khun Num are downstairs.

Can they come up?

I don't want to see them.

Tell them I'm sleeping or something.

If that's what you want.

- That's what I want.

Next time anyone visits

just tell them I'm sleeping.

But I can't say that all the time.

- Tell them I don't want to see them.

You can go now.

It's OK. I'll wash them.

Thank you.

Khun Ake wants to eat inside his room.

He said he will eat there from now on.

Full already?

Your medicine.

More water?

The water made me cough, didn't you see?

Want to watch TV?

You don't like to watch TV?

I don't watch it much either.

But it's good to keep up with the news.

I wanted to travel a lot when I was young.

I wanted to be a newsman.

As I got older, I liked taking pictures.

So I wanted to be a photographer.

Before that I wanted to be a writer.

I wanted to be a writer too.

No wonder you have all these books.

As I got older, I liked movies more.

So I went to film school.

I wanted to be a director.

You can take the tray now.

I'm flying high in the sky.

The dry wind from the east

brings the smell of burning grass.

I take a deep breath.

And flutter my wings.

My body soars higher into the sky...

I feel as light as cotton.

Tolling bells echo from afar.

At that moment...

A single gunshot pierces the air.

I feel a sharp pain.

The bullet punctures my left wing.

The smell of blood floods the air.

My body falls down to the ground.

And everything

slowly goes dark.

Pun, tell me about your mother.

What kind of a person was she?

She wasn't the kindest person.

She was strict.

She died a few years ago.

Cancer got her.

She was a tough woman

to raise three children by herself.

What about your father?

Don't know.

One day, he came to her bed.

And told her he was leaving.

I was about two.

Just like that?

Just like that.

So when my sister was born

my mom loved her most.

I was kind of left out.

Want to sit on the balcony?

It's nice out, not too hot.

Did you think that was funny?

You're going to catch a cold.

You look a sorry mess.

Quack, quack, quack!

The duck swims in the river.

Looking for some shellfish.

Quack, quack, quack!

The duck swims in the river.

Looking for some shellfish.

What kindergarten are you in?

You look like a duck.

How are you today?

I'm going out to a faculty meeting.

But I'll be home for dinner.

Pun, please join us.

Thank you.

Lift your legs.

Turn over.

Where are you now?

Are you still in Nepal?

No, I just arrived in Tibet.

They wrote about Mount Kailash.

It's a holy mountain.

Tibetan pilgrims come to pay respect to the

gods who live here.

One circumambulation of the mountain will

erase the sins of one lifetime.

Nirvana.

I know. I read it before.

You're well-read.

I read a lot when I was young.

I wanted to be a writer.

You already told me.

Why don't you try writing?

I did when I was young.

You should start again.

I don't think so.

No, not now.

I want to stay longer.

But it's raining. We'll get sick.

No. I want to stay.

That's enough.

Pun.

What's your real name?

Punjapol.

Surname?

Lertjongjit.

What are you doing?

Googling you.

I'm sure there's nothing.

Four entries.

Faculty of Nursing

Khon Kaen University

What does it say?

Nothing, just that you enrolled.

Yep, that's my life.

Do you have a cold?

Maybe. I need to take some medicine.

You can turn down the air-con.

It's alright.

Turn it down. It's rather cold.

Hello?

I was sleeping.

But that's fine.

I'm sick but I'll be OK after some rest.

I took some.

Thanks.

I should go back to sleep.

Bye.

Oh, I'm sorry.

For what? Here, join me.

Didn't know you smoked.

Occasionally, when there is a nice breeze.

Where is Somjai?

- Don't know.

Probably in her room.

Do you need to see her?

- No.

Just don't see or talk to her much lately.

Not that we have much to talk about. Just

wondering.

Humans are subject to their own karma.

Do you like it here?

Yes, I do.

Really, I do.

At first, I wanted to quit.

And now?

- I've come to like it.

That's good.

At least someone will look after Khun Ake.

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