''Angulimala'' ( th, italic=yes, องคุลิมาล, or Ongkulimal; ) is a 2003 Thai

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and drama ...

adventure An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extr ...

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super ...

based on the

Buddhist Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and ...

-scripture story of Angulimala as interpreted by the director and actors of the film. The film is directed by Sutape Tunnirut and stars Peter Noppachai Jayanama as Angulimala, Stella Malucchi as Nantha, John Rattanaveroj as Vikul, Alisa as Mantanee and Catherina Grosse. The story is a tale of

redemption Redemption may refer to: Religion * Redemption (theology), an element of salvation to express deliverance from sin * Redemptive suffering, a Roman Catholic belief that suffering can partially remit punishment for sins if offered to Jesus * Pi ...

for the character, who embarks on a series of killings in which he murders 999 people (the Buddha was to be his 1,000th kill), collecting a finger from each victim and wearing the fingers in a

garland A garland is a decorative braid, knot or wreath of flowers, leaves, or other material. Garlands can be worn on the head or around the neck, hung on an inanimate object, or laid in a place of cultural or religious importance. Etymology From the ...

around his neck. Later, when he realizes he was tricked into his wrongdoings, he tries to atone for his sins by becoming a Buddhist .Pretty spiritual
''The Nation'', April 4, 2003 (retrieved on January 21, 2007). The film was controversial on its release in Thailand, with religious leaders, local public and government officials arguing it was a distortion of Buddhist teachings.House panel wants changes to film
''The Nation'', March 20, 2003 (retrieved on January 21, 2007).

Plot

Born a

Brahmin Brahmin (; sa, ब्राह्मण, brāhmaṇa) is a varna as well as a caste within Hindu society. The Brahmins are designated as the priestly class as they serve as priests ( purohit, pandit, or pujari) and religious teachers ( ...

Ahimsa Ahimsa (, IAST: ''ahiṃsā'', ) is the ancient Indian principle of nonviolence which applies to all living beings. It is a key virtue in most Indian religions: Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.Bajpai, Shiva (2011). The History of India � ...

ka is studying under a

guru Guru ( sa, गुरु, IAST: ''guru;'' Pali'': garu'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: traditionally, the guru is a reverentia ...

when he sees a woman named Nantha attempting to commit

suicide Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders), physical disorders (such as chronic fatigue syndrome), and ...

by jumping off a cliff. He saves her, but later learns that Nantha was intended to be the bride of his teacher. The teacher, angered by Ahimsaka's attention to his wife-to-be, tells his student that the only way he will attain

enlightenment Enlightenment or enlighten may refer to: Age of Enlightenment * Age of Enlightenment, period in Western intellectual history from the late 17th to late 18th century, centered in France but also encompassing (alphabetically by country or culture): ...

is to kill 1,000 people. This sets Ahimsaka off on a life as a highwayman, and at first he seeks to kill only bandits and other evildoers. To keep track of his victims, he takes a finger from the right hand of each, and wears the fingers around his neck, thus earning him the name Angulimala, "the wearer of a

of fingers." He struggles to find 1,000 victims, so he resorts to killing all who cross his path. Nantha, wanting to stop the killing, tries to kill Ahimsaka, but only succeeds in killing herself. Eventually, he meets the

Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition, he was born in ...

himself, who tells Ahimsaka of his wrongful ways and convinces the killer that he can redeem himself by becoming a

monk.

Cast

* "Peter" Noppachai Jayanama as Ahimisaka/Angulimala *

Stella Malucchi Stella Malucchi ( th, สเตลล่า มาลูกี้) is an Italian- Colombian former model and actress based in Thailand. Fluent in the Thai language, she has primarily worked in Thailand, and has acted in two films, ''Tears of the Bl ...

as Nantha * John Rattanaveroj as Vikul * Kamron Gunatilaka as Sati * Alisa Kajornchaiyakul as Mantanee * Catherina Grosse * Varin Sachdev * Anant Sammarsup as Kakkapakawa * Naowarat Pongpaiboon as The Lord Buddha (voice)

Reception

Religious leaders and

Buddhists Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and g ...

called for the film to be banned, voicing concerns that it distorted Buddhist teachings, showed them in bad light and glorified violence.Movie based on Buddhist teachings needs new title
''Bangkok Post'', April 2, 2003 (retrieved via Buddhist News Archive on January 22, 2003). The film was initially blocked from release by government censors, who demanded the film be re-edited for the concerns of the public in Thailand most of which are Buddhist and not Christians.No sex in this city state
''The Nation'', October 14, 2003 (retrieved on January 21, 2007). Some violent scenes were removed and the film's tagline was changed. It was then viewed by revered monk Phra Phisan Dhammavadhi, who had earlier called for the film to be banned, and found acceptable.Monk wants film banned
''The Nation'', April 1, 2003 (retrieved on January 21, 2007).Censorship woes delay film's debut
''The Nation'', April 3, 2003 (retrieved on January 21, 2007). The film had poor box-office reception in Thailand, which critics blamed on the poor show and violent and negative depiction of the film.Classic tale retold
''The Nation'', March 21, 2003 (retrieved on January 21, 2007).Box office blues
''The Nation'', July 3, 2003 (retrieved on January 21, 2007). Nonetheless, ''Angulimala'' won at the Thailand National Film Association Awards for best costumes, best visual effects and best supporting actress for Alisa Kajornchaiyakul. It was screened at the

26th Moscow International Film Festival The 26th Moscow International Film Festival was held from 18 to 27 July 2004. The Golden George was awarded to the Russian film '' Our Own'' directed by Dmitriy Meshiev. Jury * Alan Parker (United Kingdom – Chairman of the Jury) * Jerzy Stu ...

in 2004, where it was in competition for a Golden St. George. It also screened at the Asian Film Festival of Paris in 2004.Piracy on the pavements
''The Nation'', February 26, 2004 (retrieved on January 21, 2007).

References

External links

*
Official site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Angulimala (Film) 2003 films Cultural depictions of Gautama Buddha Thai-language films 2000s adventure drama films Films about Buddhism Film Bangkok films Thai drama films 2003 drama films