The International Section of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) concluded on Friday with the team of Thailand’s acclaimed film A Useful Ghost taking centre stage at a press conference in Goa. The film, which is Thailand’s official entry to the Oscars and winner of the Grand Prix at Cannes, served as the closing showcase for the section.
Director Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, Associate Producer Tanade Amornpiyalerk, Actor Wisarut Homhuan and Cinematographer Song Pasit shared insights into the making of the supernatural drama, known for its mix of whimsy, emotion and social undercurrents.
Ratchapoom said the idea of a wife reincarnated as a vacuum cleaner — the central premise of the film — emerged after rejecting more conventional ghost depictions during early drafts. “Who would have thought such a film with such a crazy idea could travel so far and reach so many people?” he remarked. He added that dust pollution, a serious public health concern in Thailand and the cause of death of the character in the story, shaped the symbolic narrative choice.
The director also mentioned studying ghost portrayals across global cinema before opting for a subtler and more unusual representation. He noted that the resulting science-fiction elements were “not part of any conscious plan” but evolved naturally during writing.
Cinematographer Song Pasit described the visual strategy as a balance between “seriousness and silliness,” explaining that the team embraced quirky angles, unconventional compositions and bold colours. “Our guiding thought was ‘don’t be afraid not to be cinematic’,” he said, adding that red was intentionally retained as a vivid recurring colour on screen.
Speaking about the Thai cinema industry, Associate Producer Tanade Amornpiyalerk said the country releases around 30 theatrical films a year, with Hollywood titles dominating the market. The director added that although films could be “pure entertainment,” he believes cinema should convey meaning.
Actor Wisarut Homhuan called the role defining for his career. “Being an actor in Thailand is difficult. I’ve worked across TV, TikTok, everywhere. There aren’t many opportunities. This film was a big pathway for me, something that finally allowed people to recognise me as a film actor,” he said.
The team collectively described A Useful Ghost as a film rooted in contradictions — humorous yet haunting, fantastical yet tied to real issues such as air pollution — which they said helped the film resonate globally.
Established in 1952, IFFI is South Asia’s oldest and largest international film festival, jointly hosted by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG). The 56th edition, held from November 20–28, featured international competitions, cultural showcases, masterclasses, tributes and the WAVES Film Bazaar.