Mae Nak 3D finally opens

On and off the release calendar for the past year or so, Tamnan Rak Mae Nak 3D (แม่นาค 3D) finally opened today. Thailand's first 3D horror feature, the release has been continually pushed back, presumably due to tinkering in the post-production process, and because of last year's floods.

The well-known ghost story has been adapted for movies, television and the stage dozens of times. Worldwide, most folks know about it thanks to the 1999 film by Nonzee Nimibutr, Nang Nak.

The story, thought by some to be true, takes place sometime in the mid-1800s, during the reign of King Mongkut, in Phrakhanong, a rural canal village that's now been swallowed by the Bangkok metropolis. While the pregnant Nak's husband Mak is away fighting a war, she dies while giving birth. Mak returns home, unaware that his sweet loving wife and new baby are ghosts, and the fearsome Nak takes vengeance on any neighbor who tries to clue Mak in.

"Tak" Bongkot Khongmalai stars in this new 3D version. Rangsirote Phanpheng co-stars and Phichai Noirod directs. It's released by Bangkok Inter Film Group. The latest trailer is online and embedded below.

Watch out for Nak's endlessly stretching arms.

Coming up on March 22 is Thailand's second 3D horror feature, Dark Flight 407 (407 เที่ยวบินผี), a haunted airplane story from Five Star Production directed by Isara Nadee, one of the "Ronin Team" responsible for Art of the Devil 2.