Shutter (2004/II)

Directors:

Banjong Pisanthanakun
Parkpoom Wongpoom

Writers:

Banjong Pisanthanakun (writer)
Sopon Sukdapisit (writer)
(more)

Release Date:

9 September 2004 (Thailand)

Genre:

Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

The most terrifying images are the ones that are real.

Plot:

A young photographer and his girlfriend discover mysterious shadows in their photographs after a tragic accident. They soon learn that you can not escape your past.

Plot Keywords:

Photograph | Photographer | Shadow | Ghost | College

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Ananda Everingham	...	Tun
Natthaweeranuch Thongmee	...	Jane
Achita Sikamana	...	Natre
Unnop Chanpaibool	...	Tonn
Titikarn Tongprasearth	...	Jim
Sivagorn Muttamara	...	Meng
Chachchaya Chalemphol	...	Tonn's Wife
Kachormsak Naruepatr	...	Tee
Abhijati 'Meuk' Jusakul	...	Magazine Editor (as Abhijati Jusakul)
Binn Kitchacho	...	Asst. Magazine Editor
Panitan Mavichak	...	Nuch
Samruay Jaratjaroonpong	...	Man 1
Jitlada Korsangwichai	...	Nurse 1
Duangporn Sontikhan	...	Nurse 2
Panu Puntoomsinchal	...	Groom
Saifon Nanthawanchal	...	Bride
Tanapon Chansming	...	Aum
Thamonwan Srinatsomsuk	...	Toosie
Watthanaporn Wannacome	...	Woman 1
Natraya Rotthirawanit	...	Woman 2
Sawai Poomring	...	Monk
Twich Chombuatong	...	Novice
Teranet Jongaramrumgrueng	...	Disciple
Vasana Chalakorn	...	Natre's mother
Krai Kanchit	...	Natre's neighbor
Manop Boonvipat	...	Doctor (voice) (as Manop Boonwipas)
Suthiphong Bhibalkul	...	TV narrator (voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Achita Wuthinounsurasit	...	Netre (uncredited)

Directed by
Banjong Pisanthanakun
Parkpoom Wongpoom

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Banjong Pisanthanakun		writer
Sopon Sukdapisit		writer
Parkpoom Wongpoom		writer

Produced by
Yodphet Sudsawad	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Chartchai Pongprapapan

Cinematography by
Niramon Ross

Film Editing by
Manop Boonvipat
Lee Chatametikool

Casting by
Panjai Sirisuwan

Production Design by
Surat Kadeeroj

Production Management
Sangrawee Jongsinkul	....	production manager

Sound Department
Suphot Raksa	....	sound re-recording mixer
Boom Suvagondha	....	assistant sound mixer
Thaweep Suvagondha	....	boom operator
Traithep Wongpaiboon	....	sound re-recording mixer

Other crew
Pimsuda Boonham	....	production coordinator

Production Companies

• GMM Pictures Co.
• Phenomena (as Phenomena Motion Pictures)

Distributors

• GMM Tai Hub (GTH) (2004) (Thailand) (theatrical)
• Golden Screen (2004) (Malaysia) (theatrical)
• Golden Village (2004) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Alfa Films (2006) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD) (retail)
• MTV Netherlands (2006) (Netherlands) (TV) (first national airing)
• Movie Bank (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD) (rental)
• Palisades Tartan (2004) (USA) (all media)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2006) (Finland) (DVD)
• Tartan Video USA (2007) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Shutter: The Original (USA) (DVD title)
Shutter: They Are Around Us (USA) (DVD title)

Runtime:

97 min | Hong Kong:93 min (DVD version)

Country:

Thailand

Language:

Thai

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Malaysia:18SG | USA:Not Rated | Singapore:PG (re-rating) | Brazil:14 | Netherlands:16 | Argentina:16 | UK:15 | South Korea:15 | Japan:PG-12 | Finland:K-15 | Australia:MA | Philippines:R-13 | Singapore:NC-16

Filming Locations:

Bangkok, Thailand

Company:

GMM Pictures Co.

Trivia:

In the scene where Tun and Jane examine ghost photos affixed to a wall, there is a enlarged photo of a ghost standing near bookshelves with tables in the foreground. This is a screenshot from the Williard Library "ghostcam". The Willard Library is located in Evansville, Indiana USA and in recent years, has become very popular for its website where visitors can view the webcam surveilance 24 hours a day for paranormal activity.

Quotes:

Tun: [Tun is working in the dark room when someone walks beside him and stands there. He does not look up]
Tun: Jane? You're early.
Tun: [Telephone rings outside, Tun goes to answer it] Hello?
Jane: Tun. Its Jane. I'm going to be a little late today.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in See prang (2008)

Soundtrack:

Win-Yan-Nai-Parp-Tai

A horror movie that doesn't let go from the moment it begins

It's no big news that the horror industry has been in decline for the last 10 or so years. Western horror movies have all been dry-ed up and Hollywood is desperately remaking any Asian horror that has a 5 plus rating on IMDb. Because there people are still making good horror and of course Hollywood has to cash in on that. One such movie that will probably be remade in the next two years is "Shutter". Coming straight from Thailand this is not just good, it's fantastic, probably the most terrifying ride I had since I saw "In The Mouth Of Madness" a few years back. Grabs you by the hand from the first minute and never let's go until the end. The way horror is supposed to be.

"Shutter" follows a pretty standard formula in terms of plot. A photographer is haunted by the ghost of a woman and as the story unfolds we understand the reason why. Not the most original work, but it's solid in terms of writing and dialogue. The final conclusion is a very ironic yet satisfying experience, in touch with the atmosphere and tension build up to this point. Characters are likable enough so it get's very nerve-wrecking when they find themselves in danger. In fact it's safe to say that the entire movie is nerve-wrecking, psychologically painful and outright scary. This is all done with no small thanks to directors Pisanthanakun and Wongpoom through great camera-work, intimidating make-up effects and careful use of digital effects to enhance the horror elements. It is this careful balance that makes "Shutter" brilliant, it didn't allow itself to be dominated by CGI instead it used a combination of classic horror effects with modern computer generated ones. The atmosphere created is so wonderfully scary and that is no small feat to accomplish considering what is spewed from the U.S. these. Stuff like "Hostel" or "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (remake) that just pour down gore and think it creates horror. It does not, "Shutter" shows that you must have a certain amount of skill, understanding of the human psyche, what makes us tick, what makes us afraid and then exploit that. Bombarding us with only gore won't do the trick. Hopefully someone will learn that lesson once and for all. Another aspect that is worth noting is the score, once again brilliant stuff composed with a low key piano piece that greatly boosts the atmosphere.

Somewhere out there in Hollywood the cash-filled minds of screenwriters are "preparing" "Shutter" for remaking . They will try to make it "better" by casting some A-list overrated pop-idol celebrity. They will dumb it down to a PG-13 rating so that kids would go and see it. They will butcher the story entirely and in the end it will be turned into a shallow, tasteless film devoid of any sort of merit. Hopefully through that remake somewhere, someone will be able to discover the true "Shutter" a horror movie made with more love and devotion than all of those remakes combined.