{"id":133368,"date":"2025-05-17T17:18:40","date_gmt":"2025-05-17T17:18:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/cannes-hidden-gem-a-useful-ghost-features-vacuum-cleaner-davika-hoorne\/"},"modified":"2025-05-17T17:18:40","modified_gmt":"2025-05-17T17:18:40","slug":"cannes-hidden-gem-a-useful-ghost-features-vacuum-cleaner-davika-hoorne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/cannes-hidden-gem-a-useful-ghost-features-vacuum-cleaner-davika-hoorne\/","title":{"rendered":"Cannes Hidden Gem ‘A Useful Ghost’ Features Vacuum Cleaner, Davika Hoorne"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Unconventional Tale of ‘A Useful Ghost’<\/h2>\n
\n

In an extraordinary twist of storytelling, **Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke**\u2019s debut feature, **A Useful Ghost**, takes audiences on a surreal journey. The film, which premiered in the prestigious **Critics’ Week** lineup at the **Cannes Film Festival**, presents a **haunting narrative** that transcends typical ghost stories.<\/p>\n

**A Useful Ghost** revolves around the character **Nat**, who tragically dies from **dust pollution**. Her husband, **March**, is plunged into profound grief. The synopsis captures the film\u2019s unusual premise: \u201cHis daily life is turned upside down when he discovers his wife\u2019s spirit has been reincarnated in a vacuum cleaner.\u201d This bizarre yet poignant twist rekindles their bond, stronger than ever, but not without conflict. March\u2019s family, still in shock from a factory worker’s **accidental death**, cannot accept this supernatural relationship.<\/p>\n

As Nat, now embodied as a vacuum cleaner, strives to prove her worth, she embarks on an emotional quest, even offering to **clean the factory**. This act symbolizes her desire to be considered a **useful ghost**, blurring the lines between love and societal expectations. The film intertwines elements of romance and dark comedy while confronting the intricacies of life and death.<\/p>\n

The Star-Studded Cast<\/h2>\n

Featuring **Thai actress and influencer Davika Hoorne** alongside **Witsarut Himmarat**, **A Useful Ghost** boasts an impressive ensemble cast. Other notable actors include **Apasiri Nitibhon**, **Wanlop Rungkumjud**, and **Wisarut Homhuan**. Their performances imbue the film with a depth that resonates with audiences, ultimately transforming it into more than just a ghost story.<\/p>\n

Inspired by Thai Folklore<\/h2>\n

The film draws inspiration from the legendary Thai **ghost story** of **Mae Nak**. This folklore tale narrates the undying love of a woman whose husband is away at war while she endures childbirth, leading to tragic consequences. Upon his return, he unknowingly coexists with her spirit and their child. Boonbunchachoke reflects on this iconic tale, saying, \u201cIt\u2019s an iconic character in Thai popular culture\u2026 I wondered how ghosts would exist in contemporary society.\u201d This reflection of past and present immerses the audience into a profound narrative about love, loss, and remembrance.<\/p>\n

A Social Commentary<\/h2>\n

**A Useful Ghost** is not simply a haunting tale; it serves as a **socio-political commentary**. Boonbunchachoke emphasizes the importance of addressing the **forgotten history** of marginalized communities in Thailand. \u201cPeople often try to stay away from or exercise ghosts\u2026 but we should maybe talk more about the past,\u201d he asserts. This call to action stresses the significance of acknowledging history to prevent its darker aspects from resurfacing.<\/p>\n

The Director\u2019s Unique Vision<\/h2>\n

Creating the film was no small feat, particularly the scenes involving the vacuum cleaner, which required extensive planning and creativity. Boonbunchachoke explains: \u201cWe had two models of the vacuum cleaner\u2026 One had a motor inside so that we could remote control it.\u201d These technical challenges reflect his commitment to bringing this unique narrative to life.<\/p>\n

Initially, the vision for Nat\u2019s reincarnation as a ghost was more conventional, but the director gravitated towards using a practical appliance to embody her spirit. He notes, \u201cThe choice of the vacuum cleaner is related to a very **Thai context**.\u201d The symbolism of dust pollution in Thailand not only reflects environmental challenges but also exposes deeper societal issues. In Thai slang, calling someone \u201cdust\u201d signifies their insignificance, adding another layer of complexity to the story.<\/p>\n

The Broader Implications<\/h2>\n

As **A Useful Ghost** continues to gain traction, it invites viewers to ponder their relationships with the past and the ghosts that linger within. The film’s unique perspective challenges societal norms and encourages a conversation about **love, grief, and justice**. Boonbunchachoke\u2019s work is a reminder that even when wrapped in a **light-hearted narrative**, serious issues of **environmental degradation** and **social inequalities** persist.<\/p>\n

**A Useful Ghost** is not merely a film but a **cultural exploration** that intertwines emotional storytelling with pressing societal themes. As audiences engage with this unconventional love story, they are prompted to reflect on their experiences and the ghosts of their past. Boonbunchachoke\u2019s debut leaves a lasting impact, revealing that love can transcend even the most unusual circumstances.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Magazine-6<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Unconventional Tale of ‘A Useful Ghost’ In an extraordinary twist of storytelling, **Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke**\u2019s debut feature, **A Useful Ghost**, takes audiences on a surreal journey. The film, which premiered in the prestigious **Critics’ Week** lineup at the **Cannes Film Festival**, presents a **haunting narrative** that transcends typical ghost stories. **A Useful Ghost** revolves around […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":110274,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[13455,317,34758,21081,2367,6692,5135,34759,17257],"class_list":["post-133368","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mazagine","tag-cannes","tag-cleaner","tag-davika","tag-features","tag-gem","tag-ghost","tag-hidden","tag-hoorne","tag-vacuum"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133368","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=133368"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133368\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/110274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=133368"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=133368"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=133368"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}