Shutter (2004/II)

Directors:

Banjong Pisanthanakun
Parkpoom Wongpoom

Writers:

Banjong Pisanthanakun (writer)
Sopon Sukdapisit (writer)

Release Date:

9 September 2004 (Thailand)

Genre:

Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Have you ever carefully looked at your pictures?

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:

Photographer | Scream | Yearbook | Corpse | Rape

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Ananda Everingham	...	Tun
Natthaweeranuch Thongmee	...	Jane
Achita Sikamana	...	Natre
Unnop Chanpaibool	...	Tonn
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Chachchaya Chalemphol	...	Tonn's Wife
Samruay Jaratjaroonpong	...	Man 1
Abhijati 'Meuk' Jusakul	...	Magazine Editor
Binn Kitchacho	...	Asst. Magazine Editor
Jitlada Korsangwichai	...	Nurse 1
Panitan Mavichak	...	Nuch
Sivagorn Muttamara	...	Meng
Saifon Nanthawanchal	...	Bride
Kachormsak Naruepatr	...	Tee
Panu Puntoomsinchal	...	Groom
Duangporn Sontikhan	...	Nurse 2
Titikarn Tongprasearth	...	Jim
Achita Wuthinounsurasit	...	Netre

Also Known As:

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

Runtime:

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

Country:

Thailand

Language:

Thai

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby | Dolby Digital

Certification:

South Korea:15 | Finland:K-15 (video rating) (2006) | UK:15 | Netherlands:16 | Brazil:14 | USA:R | Japan:PG-12 | Singapore:PG (re-rating) | Malaysia:18SG | Argentina:16 | Philippines:R-13 | Singapore:NC-16

Filming Locations:

Bangkok, Thailand

Company:

GMM Pictures Co.

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:

Remade as Shutter (2008)

Soundtrack:

Win-Yan-Nai-Parp-Tai

You Cannot Escape Your Past

with a slew of Japanese horror films being released its a surprise to see one as good as Shutter comes not from Japan but Thailand.

Shutter focuses on Tun. A recent high school graduate who has a keen interest in photography. While driving late one night with his girlfriend Jane something or someone in the dark causes them to swerve off-road. whoever they hit, if they lived through it, if they didn't they're unsure. They flee the scene but nothing is the same anymore. Nightmares happen for both Tun and Jane as well as strange occurrences in Tuns photographs. Some of Tuns close friends are told to have mysteriously killed themselves. As they go to find out what could have caused this haunting spirit, they find out a lot more about their forgotten past. The car accident wasn't the only mistake that could have caused the series of events, the truth is much worse.

In comparison to other recent horror movies like JuOn and Ringu its easy to say the film was highly influenced. Its also notable to point out certain scenes (hair effects seen in JuOn, crawling ghouls as in Ringu) borrow from them as well. Had Shutter been released before them it would be visa versa of course but giving credit to Shutter, it could be said it can stand on its own as a really good horror movie. Most of the scare effect are things not seen in any movies and will really get a jump reaction. The storyline also has some really good twists that just make the movie even more creepier.

Acting is also done really well in this movie. Admittingly there aren't many Thaiwanese films that have got a lot of attention but its as good if not better than any other horror movie. It actually stays as a serious horror and doesn't go into the cornball "scary movie" genre (save for a single scene) which is rare. Special effects are kept low in this but there really isn't a need for overdone scariness anyway.

Sound by far was one of the best things in Shutter. The extremely loud -Shriek!- or a bang and clatter here and there really adds to the shock effect. Lighting and overall pacing of the film is also constant. There's not a moment to rest, it kept coming with small unexpected moments. There can't be much said for music as there isn't much but it has its few melodic moods to set the tone.

Shutter deserves more attention. Perhaps a US re-release such as Grudge and The Ring with a few more scare moments. It really does well as its own horror movie in Thailand and should definitely not be missed by fans of Japanese Horror and horror in general. It will scare you and leave you scared of the dark nights after. Shutter should not be missed by anyone wanting a really good scare.