9 Temples to Heaven
| 9 Temples to Heaven | |
|---|---|
| Thai | 9 วัด สู่สวรรค์ |
| Directed by | Sompot Chidgasornpongse |
| Written by | Sompot Chidgasornpongse |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Jonathan Ricquebourg |
| Edited by |
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Production companies |
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Release date |
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Running time | 140 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | Thai |
9 Temples to Heaven (Thai: 9 วัด สู่สวรรค์) is a 2026 drama film written and directed by Sompot Chidgasornpongse, in his feature directing debut. Starring Surachai Ningsanond as Sakol, it follows his pilgrimage to nine temples after a fortune teller warns him about the imminent death of his mother (Amara Ramnarong).[1]
The film had its world premiere at the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on 19 May, where it was nominated for the Caméra d'Or.[2] It was also selected as the Thai entry for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards.[3]
Cast
[edit]- Amara Ramnarong as Grandma[2]
- Surachai Ningsanond as Sakol
- Jirawut Chiwaruck as Pongpol
- Yaneenan Jiraphatjittrin as Wimol
- Klaichan Phunman as Anchalee
- Sompop Songkampol as Tor
- Poon Sirapob as Koon
- Yada Karnjanisakorn as Yam
- Nichmon Shintadapong as Prae
Production
[edit]9 Temples to Heaven was produced by Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul, to whom Chidgasornpongse had worked as assistant director in Tropical Malady (2004), Syndromes and a Century (2006), Cemetery of Splendour (2015), and Memoria (2021). It was also produced by Kick The Machine Films and At A Time (both in Thailand), with international co-production from E&W Films (Singapore), Petit Chaos (France), Needle in the Haystack (Norway), La Fonte (China), Square One Film (Hong Kong) and Qun Films (Indonesia).[4][5]
The film marks Chidgasornpongse's fictional feature directing debut, following the documentary Mon Rot Fai (2016). French cinematographer Jonathan Ricquebourg was the director of photography.[6]
Release
[edit]The film had its world premiere at the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on 19 May, where it was nominated for the Caméra d'Or.[2] In June 2026, it was selected for the 73rd Sydney Film Festival, and was featured at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival, where Chidgasornpongse was named Best Director and Songkampol won the Best Actor prize in the Asian New Talent competition.[7][8] It was also selected for the Main Slate of the 2026 New York Film Festival and the 'Meeting Point' competition of the 71st Valladolid International Film Festival.[9][10][11][12]
International sales are handled by Playtime.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Kerr, Elizabeth. "'9 Temples To Heaven' review: A poignant family road trip across contemporary Thailand produced by Apichatpong Weerasethakul". Screen. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 "9 Temples to Heaven". Quinzaine des cinéastes. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- ↑ "สมาพันธ์สมาคมภาพยนตร์แห่งชาติ เลือก "9 วัดสู่สวรรค์" เป็นตัวแทนภาพยนตร์ไทย เสนอชื่อเข้าชิงรางวัลออสการ์ ครั้งที่ 99 สาขาภาพยนตร์นานาชาติยอดเยี่ยม" [The Federation of Film Associations of Thailand has selected "9 Temples to Heaven" as Thailand's representative film to be nominated for the 99th Academy Award for Best International Feature Film]. National Federation of Motion Pictures and Contents Associations (in Thai). 26 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
- 1 2 Ramachandran, Naman (22 May 2026). "Thai Director Sompot Chidgasornpongse on '9 Temples to Heaven,' His Debut Feature at Cannes and Shanghai". Variety. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- ↑ Ntim, Zac (22 May 2026). "Sompot Chidgasornpongse & Thomas Hakim On '9 Temples To Heaven'". Deadline. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- ↑ "Review: 9 Temples to Heaven". Cineuropa. 19 May 2026. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- ↑ Li, Jenny S.; Ramachandran, Naman (20 June 2026). "'Atlantic Rhapsody' Takes Best Film at Shanghai's Golden Goblet Awards". Variety. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
- ↑ "Chinese Feature "Atlantic Rhapsody" Wins Best Film at Festival's Golden Goblet Awards". Shanghai International Film Festival. 21 June 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
- ↑ "64th New York Film Festival Main Slate Announced". Film at Lincoln Center. 5 August 2026. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- ↑ "9 Temples to Heaven". Film at Lincoln Center. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- ↑ Davis, Clayton (5 August 2026). "New York Film Festival 2026 Lineup Unveiled: Chris Rock's 'Misty Green,' Andrew Haigh's 'A Long Winter' and More". Variety. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
- ↑ "El último trabajo de Manolo Solo para la adaptación de Coetzee, en la próxima Seminci". El Norte de Castilla (in European Spanish). Grupo Vocento. 27 August 2026. Retrieved 31 August 2026.