Wichaya Artamat

Every other year, a sister and brother meet at the old family home in Bangkok to commemorate their dead father. During three days in May, the siblings sit at the living room table, drink tea, remain silent, argue over their fa­ther’s favourite cake and talk about anything and everything.

In Thailand’s recent history, the month of May has become associated with several mass protests, during which many people were injured or arrested or died. Against the backdrop of these and other political events, the small world of ordi­nary people unfolds in «This Song Father Used To Sing (Three Days in May)». Wichaya Artamat tells the story of a Thai family of Chinese origin with great commitment and moves us, not with grand gestures, but with everyday small dramas. In a se­ries of restrained scenes, the author­-director gradually unravels a relationship which is both unique and universal: The lives of the siblings couldn’t be more different, yet, during their annual reunion, they realise what they have in common.

Artamat is a master in the art of staging every­-day life. In this ritual of remembrance, he subtly interweaves personal biographies within the polit­ical context of the Thai metropolis. (af)