Tsunami: The Aftermath (2006) (TV)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Bharat Nalluri

Writer:

Abi Morgan (written by)

Release Date:

9 December 2006 (South Africa)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Inspired by true accounts, this HBO miniseries focuses on a group of fictional characters caught up in the harrowing aftermath of the tsunami that devastated the coast of Thailand two years ago.

Plot Keywords:

Tsunami | Disaster

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Tim Roth	...	Nick Fraser
Chiwetel Ejiofor	...	Ian Carter
Sophie Okonedo	...	Susie Carter
Hugh Bonneville	...	Tony Whittaker
Gina McKee	...	Kim Peabody
Samrit Machielsen	...	Than
Grirggiat Punpiputt	...	Pravat Meeko
Toni Collette	...	Kathy Graham
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kate Ashfield	...	Ellen
Aure Atika	...	Simone
Schwis Bhokhahhanes	...	Morgue Attendant
Tanapol Chuksrida	...	Boat Captain
Leon Ford	...	Joe Meddler
Glacian Jarusomboon	...	Dr. Boomers Potuk
Morgan David Jones	...	John Peabody
Jacek Koman	...	Peer
Will Yun Lee	...	Chai
Velicitat Lionel	...	French Man
Edith Loney	...	Eve's Mother
Savannah Loney	...	Eve
George MacKay	...	Adam Peabody
Jazmyn Maraso	...	Martha Carter
Usuma Sukhsvash	...	Suk, Chai's wife
Poh Sursakul	...	Than's Grandmother
Owen Teale	...	James Peabody
Diane Zurn	...	Mother reunited w / daughter

Also Known As:

Tsunami (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

186 min (2 parts) | Australia:111 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Bangkok, Thailand

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Movie Connections:

References Finding Nemo (2003)

Harrowing, moving and urgent drama

Abi Morgan, responsible for some of the best British TV drama of recent years has once again creating riveting TV. This piece, as with films such as 'United 93' and 'World Trade Center', has been surrounded with concerns of 'too much, too soon', but in fact is inoffensive and entirely sympathetic to those affected by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami in Thailand. The only possible quibble is that a bunch of British and American filmmakers went to Thailand and re-created the horrors that the locals suffered. Otherwise, this drama is keen to represent survivors and victims with care and respect and the only characters to be portrayed with less sympathy are journalists, occasionally represented as exploitative of the disaster and its effects. Though it could be argued that journalism simply is exploitation. I feel that this is the right time for such a drama and is an essential watch.

Sensitively directed by regular BBC collaborator Bharat Nalluri (Spooks, Life on Mars, Hustle), this drama charts the struggles of various characters involved in the tragedy, and though it is fictional, re-creates the real experiences of the tsunami victims. Each character's story intertwines with others' stories, for example the collaborative effort of a Thai waiter and a British tourist to help survivors just 24 hours after the waiter had been seen serving the tourist in the hotel. We see the points-of-view of aid workers, locals, tourists, the British Ambassador and journalists. These characters together help to create a better understanding of the tsunami's effects for the viewer. Perhaps the most affecting and moving story is that of two British tourists trying to find each other and their missing daughter.

These characters are portrayed wonderfully by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Sphie Okonedo and the cast is full of well-known faces, including Gina McKee, Hugh Bonneville, Tim Roth and Toni Collette, all magnificent. The surprise performance comes from newcomer Samrit Machielsen as Than, the Thai waiter, with an incredible performance.

Tsunami: The Aftermath is brilliant TV: well-written, well-directed and well-acted.