Famed Thai auteur filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul (“Memoria,” “Cemetery of Splendour”) has reportedly announced plans for a new feature inspired by the work of science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke (“2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Rendezvous with Rama”).
Speaking with New York’s Metrograph theatre (via Deadline), Apichatpong says he may be partnering with a streamer on the project and location scouting will take place in Sri Lanka next month.
The film will reportedly utilise a smaller budget than “Memoria” and involve his long-time actor collaborators Jenjira Pongpas and Sakda Kaewbuadee. Despite that, it’ll be longer with the treatment he has written said to clock in at around three or four hours.
At age 39, Clarke immigrated to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and lived there until his death over 50 years later. One of his books, “The Fountains of Paradise,” is set in a fictional land based on the island’s landscape with that book informs Apichatpong’s work.
The “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives” helmer adds that another source of inspiration is an article written by a Thai woman who visited Sri Lanka on a religious pilgrimage: “She speaks about climbing a holy mountain, the same one that inspired Clarke’s story, so I’m going to go check it out.”
He also reveals he is in the midst of a restoration of his film “Tropical Malady” which is aiming for a release by August next year. The film was voted one of the 100 best films of all time in last year’s Sight and Sound poll.
Source: Deadline
