Recently I watched the Thai movie called Nang Nak(Miss Nak). Although I am not a huge fan of Thai films I do find them useful for Thai language learning particularly some older films where the dialogue is often limited and spoken slowly.
Nang Nak
The plot of the film Nang Nak is based on the legend of Mae Nak(Phi Mae Nak), a female ghost, who is known throughout Thailand and is part of Thai folklore. Although one might describe the movie as a horror film, it is in my opinion far more than that. Since it is a tragic, romantic tale that to a large part relies on subtle camera work, limited dialogue and some excellent locations rather than blood, gore and the special effects that so many Western produced horror movies rely on.
The script of Nang Nak largely follows what is said in Thai folklore on the subject, although the ending to the film is just one of several that this folklore offers.
So who was Mae Nak and how did she become a ghost?
Thai Folklore- Phi Mae Nak
Story has it that in the 1800′s Nak was married to Mak and that they lived in an area that is now modern day Bangkok. Mak, a young man, was conscripted into the army and left his pregnant wife at home while he went off to fight in some conflict. Mak was injured during the fighting and barely survived, recuperating in a Buddhist temple.
Meanwhile his wife while attempting to give birth to their child died, along with the baby.
When he had recovered from his wounds Mak, who was unaware of the tragic death of his wife and child, returned to his village. When he went to his home he found everything apparently normal and was greeted by his wife and new baby.
Later, friends and villagers tried to tell Mak the truth, but such was the power of Mae Nak that she was able to make Mak see what she desired(a happy family life). Eventually he was persuaded since he observed his “wife” perform a ghostly trick.
Several versions of the end of the tale exist, a popular one is that an exorcist(Hindu Sadhu) was called and managed to trap the ghost in an earthenware jar, which was sealed and thrown into water. Unfortunately it was found by fishermen, who inadvertently released Mae Nak.
Finally a revered monk, managed to persuade the ghost to desist from her activities on the promise that she and her family would be reunited in a future life.
Epilogue:
Interestingly the plot of the film, Nang Nak, largely follows the folklore with an ending that sees the monk at Nak’s graveside where he removes a piece of her skull(forehead) which he keeps and makes into a brooch which he wore till he died. The film further suggests that this brooch still exists to this day having initially passed into the possession of the Prince of Chumphon, who was a son of King Chulalongkorn and credited with founding the Royal Thai Navy.
Mae Nak further reading and places of interest:
The Shrine of Mae Nak in Bangkok.
The Ghosts of Thailand Should be Taken Seriously.
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