Headshot (2011 film)

Headshot
Headshot
	English-language release poster
Directed by	Pen-Ek Ratanaruang
Screenplay by	Pen-Ek Ratanaruang
Based on	Rain Falling Up the Sky; by Win Lyovarin
Produced by	Raymond Phathanavirangoon; Pawas Sawatchaiyamet
Starring	Nopachai Jayanama; Sirin Horwang; Chanokporn Sayoungkul; Apisit Opasaimlikit
Cinematography	Chankit Chamnivikaipong
Edited by	Patamanadda Yukol
Music by	Vichaya Vatanasapt
Release date	September 11, 2011 (TIFF);
Running time	105 minutes
Country	Thailand
Language	Thai

Headshot (Thai: ฝนตกขึ้นฟ้า), is a 2011 Thai crime thriller film written and directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. Based on the novel Rain Falling Up the Sky by Win Lyovarin,^[2] the film stars Nopachai Chaiyanam [th], Sirin Horwang, Chanokporn Sayoungkul, and Apisit Opasaimlikit.

Headshot premiered at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival and was later screened at the 2012 San Diego Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase, as well as the 2012 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. The film was selected as the Thai entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards, but did not make the final shortlist.^[3]

Premise

A cop-turned-hitman is struck in the head by a bullet, inverting his vision and causing him to see the world upside down.

Cast

Nopachai Chaiyanam [th] as Tul (as Nopporn Chaiyanam)
Sirin Horwang as Rin
Chanokporn Sayoungkul as Joy / Tiwa
Apisit Opasaimlikit as Torpong
Kiat Punpiputt as Dr. Suang (as Krerkkiat Punpiputt)
Theeradanai Suwannahom as Tin

Reception

Rob Nelson of Variety called the film "convoluted" and referred to "the upside-down point-of-view shots" as "gimmicky", and wrote that "the pic's pleasures remain almost solely in the cinematographic realm."^[2] Marc Savlov of The Austin Chronicle called the film "gorgeous to look at" and praised it for "[reinventing] the standard noir tropes", though he indicated a preference for Last Life in the Universe, a previous effort by director Ratanaruang.^[4]

References

^ Fischer, Russ (27 October 2011). "'Headshot' Trailer: An Upside-Down Thai Thriller". /Film. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
^ ^a ^b Nelson, Rob (28 September 2011). "Headshot". Variety. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
^ "Thailand targets Oscars with Headshot". Film Business Asia. 24 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
^ Savlov, Marc (9 October 2012). "DVD Watch". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 13 June 2020.