9 Temples to Heaven, directed by Thai filmmaker Sompot Chidgasornpongse, marks his debut in narrative fiction following his acclaimed 2016 documentary Railway Sleepers. Supported by a €50,000 production grant from TorinoFilmLab, this deeply personal film explores themes of family, faith, and socio-political tensions through a one-day pilgrimage across nine temples. Produced by Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s Kick the Machine Films, alongside Singapore’s E&W Films and France’s Petit Chaos, the film blends Chidgasornpongse’s architectural sensibilities with a tender, humorous narrative.

Plot Summary

Set in contemporary Thailand, 9 Temples to Heaven follows Tan, a middle-aged office worker grappling with the fragility of life and the weight of familial duty. The story begins when Tan’s enigmatic boss, a charismatic yet dubious figure, shares a prophecy: Tan’s ailing mother, Khun Mae, may not have long to live. To secure better karma for her in the afterlife, the boss urges Tan to undertake a traditional Thai pilgrimage to nine temples in a single day—a ritual believed to bring spiritual merit.

Tan, a man of quiet resolve but wavering faith, organizes the journey for his family of nine, including his elderly mother, his skeptical wife, his rebellious teenage daughter, and a mix of quirky relatives, each with their own struggles and secrets. The pilgrimage becomes a microcosm of Thai society, reflecting generational divides, economic pressures, and the interplay of tradition and modernity. As the family travels from temple to temple in a cramped, rented van, their interactions oscillate between heartfelt bonding, comedic mishaps, and simmering conflicts.

Each temple visit unveils a layer of Tan’s family history and personal dilemmas. At the first temple, Khun Mae shares nostalgic stories of her youth, hinting at sacrifices she made for the family. Meanwhile, Tan’s daughter, Nong, questions the relevance of the ritual in a world driven by technology and individualism. The journey is punctuated by moments of absurdity—such as a cousin’s obsession with taking perfect selfies at sacred sites or an uncle’s impromptu debates about Thailand’s political landscape—infusing the film with Chidgasornpongse’s signature humor and social commentary.

As the day progresses, tensions rise. Tan grapples with his own doubts about the prophecy and the spiritual promises of the pilgrimage. A revelation about his boss’s motives—possibly tied to a local power struggle or a personal vendetta—forces Tan to confront the manipulation of faith for worldly gain. The family’s unity is tested when a long-buried secret about Khun Mae’s past emerges, challenging their perceptions of her and each other. The ninth temple, a serene yet symbolically charged location, serves as the backdrop for the climax, where Tan must reconcile his love for his mother with the complexities of belief and forgiveness.

The film concludes on a bittersweet note, with the family finding solace not in spiritual absolutes but in their shared journey. Through Chidgasornpongse’s lens, the pilgrimage becomes a metaphor for navigating life’s uncertainties, where faith is less about divine intervention and more about the connections that bind us.

Key Elements

• Setting: The film unfolds across nine distinct Thai temples, each with unique architectural and cultural significance, reflecting Chidgasornpongse’s background in architecture. The urban and rural landscapes of Thailand ground the story in a vivid sense of place.
• Themes: Family dynamics, the tension between tradition and modernity, the commodification of faith, and the search for meaning in a changing society.
• Cast: While specific casting details are unconfirmed, the ensemble likely features Thai actors portraying a diverse family, with potential cameos from collaborators like Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s regulars.
• Production: Filming began in Thailand in the summer of 2025, backed by Kick the Machine Films, E&W Films, and Petit Chaos, with additional support from the Thai Ministry of Culture and Thailand Media Funds.
• Cinematic Style: Chidgasornpongse’s architectural eye and documentary roots inform a visually striking yet intimate style, blending realistic dialogue with surreal, reflective moments. The film balances humor and tenderness while addressing socio-political issues like faith and power dynamics in Thailand.

Cultural and Artistic Significance

9 Temples to Heaven is a deeply personal project for Chidgasornpongse, drawing from his own family history and experiences growing up in Samut Prakan. His collaboration with Apichatpong Weerasethakul, a Palme d’Or-winning filmmaker, lends the project artistic credibility and global appeal. The film’s exploration of faith and its potential for both unity and conflict resonates with contemporary issues in Thailand, where rapid modernization often clashes with spiritual traditions. Its universal themes of family and mortality make it accessible to international audiences, as evidenced by its support from TorinoFilmLab, Locarno’s Open Doors Hub, and other global platforms.

Release and Expectations

While an exact release date remains unconfirmed, production commenced in mid-2025, suggesting a potential premiere at international festivals like Berlinale or Cannes in 2026. With Chidgasornpongse’s track record—his documentary Railway Sleepers premiered at Busan and Berlinale—and the backing of Weerasethakul’s production house, 9 Temples to Heaven is poised to be a standout in Asian cinema, offering a fresh perspective on Thai storytelling.

9 Temples to Heaven promises a graceful, thought-provoking journey that combines Chidgasornpongse’s unique cinematic vision with a universal story of love, loss, and redemption.