Fridae

Have you seen Pen-ek Ratanaruang's arthouse films, such as Last Life in the Universe and Invisible Waves?

Most people have not, and the few who have may not like them very much. But then there are those - like we at Fridae - who swear by his films, by their mysterious dream-like images, and their strange but likeable characters. Cineastes regard Pen-ek as one of Thailand's greatest auteurs. And Ploy may be his best film yet.

The film revolves around a Thai couple who have grown bored with each other. Returning to Bangkok from the US for a funeral, they stay at an airport hotel. The husband (Pornwut Sarasin) goes to the bar to look for cigarettes and ends up chatting with a sexy girl named Ploy (Apinya Sakuljaroensuk). The wife (Lalita Panyopas) gets jealous and accuses him of infidelity.

Meanwhile, in another part of the hotel, a chambermaid (Phorntip Papanai) and a barman (Ananda Everingham) are having hot, steamy sex�

Ploy explores love and other distractions in its various forms, but does so in an elliptical and enigmatic way that may mesmerize, mystify and frustrate you all at once. Pen-ek was once a graphic designer and an art director, so his production designs - from the sets to the costumes - are simply ravishing. So too is the elegant cinematography.

Ploy is the must-watch of the week.