Railway Sleepers

Filmmaker Sompot Chidgasornpongse’s documentary was shot over an eight-year period on Thailand’s cross-country trains. Rail travel was introduced to the kingdom in 1893—the film opens with a scrolling text of the royal decree by King Rama VII inaugurating this mode of transportation—and viewers see a few historic photos of the old steam-driven locomotives that initially carried passengers and freight. However, Railway Sleepers is primarily focused on quietly observing passengers, and while the trains afford spectacular views of Thailand’s beautiful countryside, not everyone is looking out the window. Instead, the cameras capture schoolchildren doing their homework under the gaze of frazzled teachers, exhausted passengers falling asleep while sitting up, a seemingly endless stream of vendors (hawking bottled water, snacks, and souvenirs to indifferent travelers), bored soldiers with nothing to do but wander back and forth, and foreign tourists enjoying the finer accommodations in the first class section while everyone else is crammed into economy seating. While the film may be too leisurely paced for some viewers, it will appeal to those with a passion for Asian travel—not to mention admiration for Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul, who is the executive producer. An offbeat travelogue, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)