Marriage is not just about children, as homophobes would like everyone to believe. It is about a life lived together and the contributions each party makes. In The Paradise of Thorns, a man is wronged and looks to correct those wrongs.
Jeff Satur stars in the film as Thongkam, the other half of Sek (Engfa Waraha).
The official synopsis for the couple teases trouble for Thongkam when he loses Sek unexpectedly.
“Thongkam and Sek, a devoted gay couple, have worked tirelessly to build a life together, including owning a house and a durian orchard in Mae Hong Son.
Tragedy strikes when Sek dies suddenly in an accident, revealing that they were never legally married in Thailand, leaving Thongkam with no rights to their assets.
The house and orchard now belong to Sek’s mother, who moves in with her adopted daughter Mo and gardener Jingna. Thongkam must now fight to reclaim the fruits of his love and labor.”
Gross Domestic Happiness (GDH) released a trailer of for the film that unravels the events in the film as Satur brings range like never before.
‘The Paradise of Thorns’ Trailer
The trailer begins with the couple sitting and watching their farmland. Thongkam reveals that they are about to make the final payment for it.
Since he offered to pay the final installment, Thongkam has clearly contributed to the land’s success.
Thailand finally passed a Marriage Equality law that guarantees rights for same-sex couples that opposite-sex couples are afforded.
Sek makes a sweet proposal to Thongkam, who accepts.
Tragedy strikes, however, when Sek falls of one of the trees he’s tended to for so long and dies. It is a fishy situation since the tree doesn’t seem that tall. The most that would happen is a concussion or a broken bone.
Thongkam is in for the surprise of his life. According to the law, Sek’s mother is supposed to inherit all her son’s belongings. The problem is that Thongkam’s entire life was tied to Sek.
A front by Sek’s mother and Mo proves hard for Thongkam to break when they decide to defraud him of his life’s work.
Thongkam seeks legal help, given that marriage equality has now arrived in Thailand, but the law fails to recognize their relationship since they have not been married yet.
He nearly comes undone when he realizes he has no recourse until he decides to find unorthodox solutions to an unorthodox problem.
He tries several methods, including asking to be adopted by Sek’s mother, but Mo works in the shadows to manipulate her.
It turns out that Sek’s mother is not that naive and decides not to leave the farm to either of them. Frustrated, they declare war on each other.
But does that win them the farm?
Does Thongkam have any more fight left in him, or should he focus his looks and talents on another farm owner but ensure they’re married this time?
Will it be easy?
Other cast members include Toey Phongsakorn Mettarikanon, Keng Harit Buayoi, and Sita Puapimol.
The Paradise of Thorns will be in theatres in Thailand on August 22. Details about international releases are not yet available.