The Long Walk is a 2019 metaphysical science fantasy film about an old Laotian hermit who discovers the ghost of a road accident victim.
Directed by US-born filmmaker Mattie Do (Chanthaly; Dearest Sister) from a screenplay written by Christopher Larsen.
The movie stars Yannawoutthi Chanthalungsy, Vilouna Phetmany, Por Silatsa, Noutnapha Soydara, Chanthamone Inoudome and Vithaya Sombath.
Plot:
An old scavenger (Yannawoutthi Chanthalungsy) living on the fringes of a near-future society exploits a ghostly companion’s ability to traverse time, hoping to prevent his mother’s suffering from a terminal illness…
Reviews:
“Visually interesting, shot in saturated contrast colours (green and yellow for the exteriors, dark brown and grey under the dim light for the interior), well-acted and narratively unorthodox, The Long Walk is a film worth the time spent on watching it. The film also profits from the time taken for contemplating about it.” Asian Movie Pulse
“The film’s genre commotion makes for an entertaining ride and the only downward slope – albeit heavily detrimental to the final outcome – is the actual story. Mattie Do has a keen eye for nicely shot frames too, and if only given a solid script, I can see her become an acclaimed director within a few years.” Cultural Hater
” …although The Long Walk is an enigmatic piece it’s far from an incoherent one, with some intense performances and a real sense of the country’s recent history unfolding as the lives of the characters progress. Well worth a rewatch for the small details as well as the universality of the story.” Dark Eyes of London
“The scorched yellows of the roads and lush greens of the jungle make a striking contrast, echoing that of the poverty and technology […] The pacing is kept languid and even and the performances from the main cast, especially newcomer Por Silatsa as the boy, feel authentic and engage your affection easily.” Eastern Kicks
“The Long Walk does not reveal its mysteries easily, and its elliptical concept of time transfers to a narrative that asks its audience to question how we perceive storytelling, and the truths behind it, as how we understand the past as linear and fixed, in that it is not. With a non-professional cast who are nonetheless remarkable, The Long Walk is a film that warrants multiple viewings…” Screen Anarchy
“The film’s length combined with its slow pace and rather involved plot will probably put some viewers off. The Long Walk isn’t an easy watch either, it’s a film that requires a lot of attention and dealing with some grim and unpleasant truths. It’s also one that’s best gone into not knowing a lot about what to expect, the gradual revelation of what’s going on is a large part of what makes it work.” 3.5/5 Voices from the Balcony
“The Long Walk is a slow-paced film in which the story reveals itself gradually. This is frustrating at times, as the characters and location seem to be keeping too much from the audience. The science-fiction and supernatural elements of the film feel unexplored and allude to a larger world that we do not get to experience.” The Wee Review
Release:
In the US, Yellow Veil Pictures (Hellbender; Knocking; Harpoon) will release The Long Walk theatrically in select locations on February 18th 2022, followed by an On-Demand (VOD) release on March 1st.
Original title:
Bor Mi Vanh Chark – title in Lao
US trailer:
Clip:
