The Laos location adds considerable appeal to , the feature debut from British writer-director Joshua Trigg. This story of an abandoned child in search of his long-absent mother blossoms into a sweet ode to friendship and understanding, underpinned by the beauty of the country’s lush vegetation and lofty, mist-covered peaks. Following a world premiere at Raindance, the film has enough unpretentious appeal to secure a share of the audience who were charmed by such foreign-language titles as (2019) or (2023).
Trigg has previously directed a number of shorts as well as music videos and commercial campaigns, and has been working largely across Asia for the last decade. His feature debut is shot on 16mm by British cinematographer James Chegwyn, and uses a significantly local crew and non-professional actors. begins in Dickensian mode as Dara (Sonedala Sihavong) leaves her baby on the steps of the Pha Tang Temple, believing that the monks will give the boy a better life than she ever could.
Years later, the second strand of the story focuses on Bo (Vanthiva Saysana), a 17 year-old Laotian who wants to study journalism at the University of Hanoi. Entry to the course requires her to provide a story that illustrates skill as both writer and photographer. Fleeing her drunken, feckless father, she heads deeper into Laos seeking “a story worthy of a place in Hanoi”.
Inevitably, Bo arrives at the Pha Tang Temple where she meets Satu (Itthiphone Sonepho), a young boy who has become a.
