9 Temples to Heaven Chosen as Thailand's Oscar Entry

Thai Family Drama '9 Temples to Heaven' Chosen as Thailand's Oscar Entry

BANGKOK — In a moment of quiet pride for the Thai film industry, the National Federation of Motion Pictures and Contents Associations has selected "9 Temples to Heaven" as Thailand's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. The film, a deeply personal family drama directed by Sompot Chidgasornpongse, will represent the kingdom on the world's most prestigious cinematic stage, with the awards ceremony set to take place in 2027.

The selection comes as no surprise to those who have followed the film's remarkable journey since its world premiere in the Directors' Fortnight section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in May. For Thai audiences, however, this is more than just another international accolade — it is a validation of a story rooted in the everyday rhythms of Thai family life, Buddhist devotion, and the gentle frictions that arise when generations hold different beliefs.

A Journey of Merit and Family Bonds

"9 Temples to Heaven" tells the story of nine relatives who embark on a single-day pilgrimage to visit nine temples after a prophecy warns that their grandmother could pass away before her upcoming birthday. The family's urgent quest to make merit — or tham bun — and ward off misfortune gradually reveals the fault lines between traditional beliefs and modern perspectives, between the elderly matriarch's faith and her grandchildren's skepticism.

The premise is quintessentially Thai. Across the kingdom, from Bangkok's bustling temples to the serene wats of Chiang Mai and the Isaan countryside, families routinely come together for merit-making ceremonies, especially during times of illness or uncertainty. The film captures this cultural practice with an authenticity that has resonated with audiences far beyond Thailand's borders.

Director Sompot Chidgasornpongse has said the film was inspired by his own experiences visiting temples with his family, observing how beliefs and perspectives differed across generations. "I believe many people will be able to relate the situations in the film and its nine main characters to their own experiences and those of other members of their families," he said.

From Cannes to Shanghai: A Festival Triumph

The film's festival run has been nothing short of extraordinary. After its Cannes premiere, "9 Temples to Heaven" traveled to the Shanghai International Film Festival, where Sompot won Best Director and actor Sompop Songkampol took home the Best Actor award. The film then continued its winning streak at the New Zealand International Film Festival, where it was named Best Film.

These international honors signal a growing recognition of Thai cinema's storytelling power. For decades, Thai films have struggled to find consistent international distribution, often overshadowed by the dominant cinemas of East Asia. But the success of "9 Temples to Heaven" suggests a shift — a new generation of Thai filmmakers who are telling distinctly local stories with universal emotional appeal.

The film is Sompot's feature debut after his acclaimed 2016 documentary "Railway Sleepers." He spent nine years bringing this project to life, a testament to the patience and dedication required to craft a film of this emotional depth. The production is backed by Kick the Machine Films and At A Time Pictures, with international co-production partners, reflecting the increasingly collaborative nature of Southeast Asian cinema.

A Homecoming at the Bangkok International Film Festival

Before Thai audiences can see the film in general release, "9 Temples to Heaven" will open the Bangkok International Film Festival on 13 September. This homecoming is significant — it gives Thai viewers the first opportunity to experience the film in a festival setting, surrounded by the international film community that has embraced it so warmly.

The film will then open in Thai cinemas on 17 September 2026, a date that many in the industry are marking on their calendars. For a film that explores the nuances of Thai family life and Buddhist practice, the domestic release is arguably as important as its international acclaim. Thai audiences will bring their own experiences to the film, their own memories of temple visits with grandparents, their own family arguments about faith and tradition.

What This Means for Thailand's Cultural Soft Power

The selection of "9 Temples to Heaven" as Thailand's Oscar entry carries significance beyond the film itself. In recent years, Thailand has invested considerable energy in promoting its cultural soft power — from the global popularity of Thai cuisine to the spread of Muay Thai and the success of Thai series on international streaming platforms. Cinema is a crucial part of this cultural diplomacy.

An Oscar nomination — or even a strong campaign — would place Thai cinema in the global spotlight in a way that few previous films have achieved. It would signal to international audiences that Thailand produces films of artistic merit and emotional depth, not just the action-heavy genre films that have historically found export markets.

For the ASEAN region, Thailand's growing cinematic reputation is also significant. Southeast Asian cinema has been gaining international attention in recent years, with films from Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines also finding festival success. Thailand's Oscar entry adds momentum to this regional wave, demonstrating that Southeast Asian stories can resonate with global audiences when told with authenticity and craft.

The Spiritual Heart of Thai Cinema

What makes "9 Temples to Heaven" particularly Thai is its unapologetic engagement with Buddhist themes. The film does not treat merit-making as a quaint cultural curiosity but as a living practice that shapes family dynamics and personal identity. This is a bold choice in an era when many filmmakers might shy away from religious themes, but it is also a deeply honest one.

Buddhism is woven into the fabric of Thai life — from the morning alms rounds in Chiang Mai to the temple fairs of Bangkok's old quarters, from the ordination ceremonies that mark a young man's passage to adulthood to the funeral rites that honor the departed. "9 Temples to Heaven" taps into this spiritual heritage, exploring how faith can both unite and divide a family.

The film's nine main characters represent different generations and perspectives — the devout grandmother, the pragmatic middle-aged parents, the skeptical young adults. Their journey through nine temples becomes a metaphor for the journey of understanding that families must undertake to bridge their differences. It is a universal story, but told through a distinctly Thai lens.

A Milestone for Thai Filmmaking

For Sompot Chidgasornpongse, the journey from documentary filmmaker to Oscar-contending director has been a long one. His 2016 documentary "Railway Sleepers" established him as a filmmaker with a keen eye for the textures of Thai life. With "9 Temples to Heaven," he has expanded his scope while maintaining that observational quality, creating a drama that feels both intimate and epic.

The nine years he spent making the film speak to the challenges of independent filmmaking in Thailand, where resources are limited and international co-production is often necessary. The involvement of Kick the Machine Films — the production company founded by celebrated Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul — and At A Time Pictures, along with international partners, demonstrates the collaborative ecosystem that has grown up around Thai art cinema.

As the film prepares for its Thai release, there is a sense of anticipation among cinema lovers in Bangkok and beyond. The Bangkok International Film Festival screening on 13 September will be a moment of celebration, followed by the wider release on 17 September. For Thai audiences, this is a chance to see their own culture reflected on screen with the kind of care and nuance that international festivals have already recognized.

The 99th Academy Awards will take place in 2027, with nominees for Best International Feature Film to be announced at a later date. Whatever the outcome, "9 Temples to Heaven" has already achieved something remarkable — it has told a deeply Thai story that has touched audiences around the world, and it has reminded us that the bonds of family and faith are universal.

By Ann Srisawat, Staff Writer

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Sources: Khaosod English.