Renowned Thai filmmaker Chookiat “Matthew” Sakveerakul marks a major milestone in his illustrious 20-year career with his latest sci-fi epic, Taklee Genesis x Worlds Collide. Known for his masterful storytelling, Sakveerakul ventures into uncharted territory, presenting a film that combines thought-provoking sci-fi elements with Thai cultural and historical nuances.
A Director’s Vision: Exploring the Boundaries of Reality
In Taklee Genesis x Worlds Collide, Sakveerakul delves into the nature of existence itself. “Our time and our daily life—do they really exist? Are we human beings, flesh and blood, biological masses or in fact reflections of something? These thoughts have been inspiring me for a long time and I’ve been looking for an opportunity to turn them into a film,” he muses. This existential question is at the heart of his inspiration for the film, which reflects his passion for blending deep philosophical inquiry with cinematic storytelling.
Having built a reputation with films like the 2007 romantic drama The Love of Siam—a film that swept Thai cinema awards—Sakveerakul now takes a bold leap into the realm of science fiction. “I’ve always loved sci-fi. The mysteries of the universe, different dimensions, and space fascinate me just as much as ghost stories,” the director shares, setting the stage for his latest creation.
The Genesis of “Taklee”: Blurring History and Sci-Fi
Sakveerakul crafted an intricate universe for Taklee Genesis, inspired by real-world speculations. “In the film, the ‘Taklee Genesis’ is an American experiment project during the Vietnam War. The name ‘Taklee’ is because the Taklee district is where the largest US base in Southeast Asia was at the time. There were others too like the ones in Sattahip district and Udon Thani province. I think for such a large base as that in Taklee there must be something else. Recently, there have been many speculations about Taklee’s secrets—for example, extra-terrestrials lived there. Hey, people have talked about these. Check YouTube.”
A Stellar Cast: Bringing the Story to Life
The casting for Taklee Genesis x Worlds Collide plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative. With Paula Taylor, Peter Corp Dyrendal, and Wanarat Ratsameerat leading the ensemble, Sakveerakul couldn’t be more pleased. “I worked with Paula and Peter a few years ago. I want Paula to perform in a film because she has a strong cinematic charisma and was a symbol of rom-com in a certain period. She’s also adept and effortlessly sympathetic.”
Peter Corp Dyrendal, another significant figure in the cast, also brought a wealth of knowledge to the project. “Peter also did some research for more background information. He even corrected my mistakes, saying, ‘Matthew, it’s not a million years ago: it’s actually 75-76 million.’ Well, he also made corrections of some details in the script. So nice of him! He’s as geeky as me: he understood everything in the script. I was very surprised how he got it all: he’s also interested in this kind of thing.”
Pushing Thai Cinema Forward
For Sakveerakul, Taklee Genesis x Worlds Collide is more than just another film—it’s a game-changer for Thai cinema. “It’s the kind of project I don’t know if I’d ever have a chance to work on again. I realized it’s not easy when I was doing it. It’s another milestone for Thai films. Who else would be courageous and crazy enough to support me to do it? I’m all for it but I wouldn’t call it the acme of my career. I’d rather it be a door which opens opportunities for my more ambitious projects in the future and for those who love sci-fi and challenging film projects to further develop themselves.” the director explains.
A Must-See Cinematic Experience
Taklee Genesis x Worlds Collide promises an interstellar adventure that blends historical intrigue, philosophical musings, and high-stakes drama. Distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, the film is set to hit theaters starting September 18.
Photo & Video Credit: “Warner Bros. Pictures”
