Sweden
3.5 OUT OF 4 STARS
A glimpse into another world can become a necessary shock to the system.
When 21-year-old Swedish fashion photographer PeÅ Holmquist became fed up with the Viet Nam war, he decided that he needed to see new country. Visiting Thailand in 1969, he met village headman Lao Tong, who opened his eyes to the reality of problems in a different culture. He left angered at the state of the world, ready to challenge the norm.
Returning to Thailand 40 years later, Holmquist is active though a bit softened. In an effort to renew his political zeal, he seeks his old headman friend to remind himself of forgotten philosophies. The headman has also been altered by passing years, yet still makes an impact on the filmmaker.
Holmquist presents a unique perspective by looking from both sides of the lens. The world, through its imperfections, carries many lessons.