Pop Aye

Pop Aye is a sterling 2017 film directed by Kirsten Tan, a Singaporean filmmaker, featuring performers such as Penpak Sirikul, Thaneth Warakulnukroh, and Sasapin Siriwanij. The movie is a gentle and deeply affectionate view of reconciliation, with time and with oneself, by following a peculiarly gripping road trip across Thailand’s vast landscapes.

Pop Aye tells the story of Thana, portrayed by Thaneth Warakulnukroh, a disenchanted architect struggling to maintain his relevance in the face of youth-centric modernity and professional depreciations. When he stumbles upon an elephant, who happens to be his friend from childhood, in the bustling streets of Bangkok, Thana embarks on a journey back to rural Thailand, in search of the farm where they grew up. The elephant, Pop Aye, warmly portrayed with a palpable emotional expression characteristic to non-human characters, becomes the symbolic counterpart of Thana's struggle, an almost timeless figure that reminds him of a more effortless, contented time.

Adding to protagonist dynamics is Bo (Penpak Sirikul), an enigmatic drifter whose initial meeting with Thana plays out in comically scandalous circumstances. Charming and witty, Bo reframes Thana's view of life while challenging the gender stereotypes rampant in Thai society. Sirikul delivers a remarkable performance, seamlessly merging the contradictory facets of Bo. Sasapin Siriwanij as Thana's wife adds to the ensemble cast, offering a perspective of Thana's life that amplifies his feelings of discontentment and insignificance.

Featuring a mature, settled protagonist who feels sidelined by modern evolution and the nostalgia of a simpler, rural existence, Pop Aye is a heartwarming narrative about regaining lost connections, reclaiming self-worth and finding peace, albeit through an unexpected journey with an elephant. It subtly counterpoints the chaos of urban life with the tranquil allure of rural landscapes and effortlessly tugs at the nostalgia of a bygone era, punctuated by a man-elephant relationship that goes way beyond the realms of companionship and extends into the sphere of personal identity and meaning.

Pop Aye, although far from flash and fury, packs in highly noticeable and nuanced emotional heft. The slow-burning narrative coupled with long, drawn-out scenes that capture the daily life of Thana and his interactions with Pop Aye, add to the poetic allure of the film. Through the quiet, unhurried unfolding of events, the audience is drawn into Thana's world, playing a more involved role than a mere passive observer.

The film also shines a light on pertinent societal issues, including urbanization's atrophying effect on traditional culture, the ostracization faced by marginalized individuals like Bo, and subtle gender commentary. These topics are dealt with deftness, showcasing Tan's strengths as a skilled storyteller.

The cinematography of the film is deserving of praise. The panorama of Thailand, in all its chaotic urban glory and serene rural beauty, is intricately captured by Chananun Chotrungroj's camera. The visual storytelling of Pop Aye contributes significantly to the film's narratorial success, as much of the story is told through its shots of Thai terrain, bustling cities, and close-up frames of the main characters, enabling the viewers to form a deep empathetic bond.

The movie's title, Pop Aye, connotes a certain lightheartedness with its wordplay and clever reference to a famous cartoon character (Popeye) that starkly contrasts the movie's profound theme. The title characterizes the film's underlying layer of humor that powers through its critical observations of a fast-changing world.

In a nutshell, Pop Aye uses understated dramatic techniques that culminate into a profound movie-watching experience. Blending in elements of drama, culture commentary, and comedy to a superbly balanced whole, the film tells an extraordinary tale of friendship, self-discovery and nostalgia between an aging architect and his elephant friend.

In Kristin Tan’s deft hands, this quirky man-animal buddy movie builds into a perceptive, heart-tugging reflection on the unerring human need for companionship, context, and something to cherish and care for. Eventually, Pop Aye shines as an ingenuous, tender film that is bound to touch the hearts and minds of its audience, making it an enduring artwork from Thailand's cinematic landscape.