Three Marks of Existence journeys into Thai cinemas

Two movies were released in Thai cinemas this week. One's about an Average Joe on a life-changing adventure. The other is The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

Premiering earlier this year at the International Buddhist Film Festival Bangkok, indie director Gunparwitt Phuwadolwisid's spiritual road-trip romantic-comedy Three Marks of Existence is screening at Major Cineplex as Namaste India (นมัสเตอินเดีย ส่งเกรียนไปเรียนพุทธ, Namaste Song Krian Pai Rian Bhud).

The sometimes quirky and cartoony tale follows a young guy named M (Yossawat Sittiwong), a recent college graduate who is washing out at job interviews, has just been dumped by his girlfriend and doesn't know what to do with his life. So he decides to take a backpacking trip to the major Buddhist holy sites.

Along the way, he meets various characters who both challenge and guide him. Among them is an older Thai fellow whose reasons for meditating cause M to have questions. A female Japanese backpacker becomes quarry for M, but he finds himself in competition for her with another Thai guy. And a Thai monk poses more questions than he answers.

Check out the trailer, embedded below.