LGBTQ Thai ghost story wins prize in Cannes

13 Sept 22:20 Key points summarised by AI

Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke's "A Useful Ghost," an LGBTQ+ Thai ghost story, won the top prize in the Critics' Week sidebar at the Cannes Film Festival.
The film, starring influencer Davika "Mai" Hoorne, cleverly blends a comedic premise of a ghost haunting a vacuum cleaner with sharp political satire.
It critiques the Thai state's attempts to erase unpleasant political events, drawing parallels to real-life deadly protests and suppressed historical truths.
Director Ratchapoom aims to diversify queer narratives beyond typical love stories, using the film to engage with deeper political themes and highlight issues often silenced in Thailand.
The film is praised for its "bravery" in addressing sensitive political topics, making its international recognition particularly impactful given the context of free speech in Thailand.

Macron condemns those who 'sought to bring down the Republic' after rioting mars nationwide protests

Today 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.