Above Average Joe

Apichatpong Weerasethakul (aka "Joe") is a brilliant filmmaker and artist, as well as a reluctant spokesperson for cinematic freedom in Thailand. He's also a really nice guy. I interviewed the director of Syndromes and Century and Blissfully Yours at the Unknown Forces installation opening at REDCAT in April. If you haven't seen the four-screen, bass-thumping, mind-blowing multi-media piece, it's not too late.


You can even check it out when a selection of his movies are showing this week at the space under the Disney Hall in Downtown L.A. They don't screen very often, and you won't want to miss them. Here's the schedule:

Mon, June 4, 8pm: Mysterious Object at Noon (2000)

Wed, June 6, 8pm: Blissfully Yours (2002)

Fri, June 8, 8pm: Recent short works:
"Anthem" (2006, 35mm, 5 min.)
"FAITH" (2006, video, 11 min.)
"Ghost of Asia" (2005, video, 8:30 min.)
"Worldly Desires" (2005, video, 40 min.)
"Luminous People" (2007, video, 15:22 min.)

Sat, June 9, 8pm: Tropical Malady (2004)

There's a lengthy interview with Weerasethakul in the new Giant Robot mag, too. I'm going to miss the screenings because I've got tickets to see Morrissey at the Hollywood Bowl, a friend's wedding, etc., but don't feel sorry for me. I may get to see Joe in Thailand next week! More on that to come...