A Useful Ghost: Recognised in Cannes, Thai director hopes film stirs political debate at home

A Thai director just made history at Cannes by winning the Critics Week Grand Prize for his film A Useful Ghost—a surreal, politically charged story about a grieving man whose late wife’s spirit possesses a vacuum cleaner. The film tackles heavy themes like pollution and oppression in Thailand, and the director cheekily dedicated his award to "all the ghosts in Thailand," hinting at the unseen forces shaping the country. Now, he’s hoping the buzz will spark real conversations back home.