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Glen Hansard’s sudden death, aged 56, in a motorcycle crash outside Dublin on July 29 was felt far beyond Ireland. The singer-songwriter’s battered guitar and raw, unmistakable voice gave Once (2007) much of its beating heart, so there could hardly be a more fitting tribute than putting the film back on the screen. That’s exactly what microcinemas across Thailand are doing throughout August.
While the movie will be screened across the country (check out the full list here), local film communities Wednesday Shine and Panya Movie Club have brought it on themselves to bring the cult indie favourite to the microcinema for two screenings, on August 11 and August 20.
Directed by John Carney, ‘Once’ follows a Dublin busker – played by musician Glen Hansard – whose life changes after meeting a Czech flower seller, played by Markéta Irglová. Their shared love of music quickly brings them together, setting in motion a beautifully understated story about creativity, relationships and the complicated space between falling in love and actually being together.
Music sits at the heart of it all, which is why the Chiang Mai screenings are making a little more of the occasion with live musical performances accompanying the film.
From 6.30pm, settle in for live busking performances from artists connected with Chiang Mai Original before watching Hansard do much the same thing on screen. Tickets cost just B120, although with Wednesday Shine holding only 32 people per screening, space is suitably micro.
The film will be shown with its original soundtrack and Thai subtitles. Screening rights for the nationwide programme are supported by the Film Culture Promotion Association – Micro Cinema.
So if you’ve only ever heard ‘Falling Slowly’ through headphones – or you simply fancy spending an evening inside one of Chiang Mai’s wonderfully tiny independent cinemas – here’s your chance to see where it all began.
August 11 and 20. Wednesday Shine, Chiang Mai. Live music accompanies the screenings. Original soundtrack with Thai subtitles. To book tickets, contact Wednesday Shine via their Facebook event here.