Film Synopsis
A tale of people powered protests, military coups, government corruption, a violent Insurgency, and a war causing a divide between the Buddhist and Muslim citizens. Conflict is not simply black or white...
Thailand is one of the most well traveled countries in the world for beach vacations in paradise. 'A Land Apart' opens your eyes to the Thailand you never knew existed. Told through parallel perspectives of a native Thai reporter (Jom Petchphradub), and Canadian filmmakers Nicole Sorochan and Chandler Vandergrift, the story of Thailand's Muslim south unfolds where 4000 innocent 'thais' have been killed since 2004.
Shot over six years, this guerilla-style documentary delivers first-hand accounts of victims, families and communities torn apart by insurgent murders, government corruption, military scandal and deceit. From the Tak Bai massacre, to the Coup d'État, the film weaves the harsh reality of a silenced Muslim minority with the politics of Thailand's unstable democracy. With candid interviews from fugitive ex- Prime Minister Thaksin and current Prime Minister Abhisit, outspoken and exiled Giles Ji Ungapokorn, and the brave women and children affected by the violence, 'A Land Apart' captures and articulates a message about responsible journalism, democratic space, and showcases a tipping point where ethnic and religious differences have erupted into violence against the nation fueling an unnecessary war.
