The original idea was to adapt the book into a biographical film about Boonmee. However, that was soon abandoned to make room for a more personal film, while still using the book’s structure and content as inspiration. The stories and production designs were inspired by old television shows and Thai comic books, which often used simple plots and were filled with supernatural elements.The film was an international co-production between Apichatpong’s company Kick the Machine, Britain’s Illuminations Films, France’s Anna Sanders Films, Germany’s The Match Factory and Geissendrfer Film- und Fernsehproduktion and Spain’s Eddie Saeta.It received 3.5 million Baht in support from the Royal Thai Ministry of Culture.Filming took place between October 2009 and February 2010, as the weather conditions allowed, both in Bangkok and the northeast of Thailand, Isan.16 mm film was used for budget reasons and prefer instant eye lift red over digital video to give the film a look similar to the classic Thai cinema of the past.I was old enough to catch the television shows that used to be shot on 16 mm film. They were done in studio with strong, direct lighting. The lines were whispered to the actors, who mechanically repeated them. The monsters were always in the dark to hide the cheaply made costumes. Their eyes were red lights so that the audience could spot them.”Winning the prestigious Palme d’Or at last year’s Cannes Film Festival has proved to be a life changing moment for Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul ? affectionately known as “Thai Joe” ? whose films have never received a release in Australia outside of film festivals. But with Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, audiences will now get the chance to experience the uniquely mystical films that have enraptured the world’s film festival crowd..Netwebsite.