9 Temples to Heaven
2026 film by Sompot Chidgasornpongse
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9 Temples to Heaven (Thai: 9 วัด สู่สวรรค์) is a 2026 drama film written and directed by Sompot Chidgasornpongse, in his feature directing debut. Starring Surachai Ningsanond as Sakol, it follows his pilgrimage to nine temples after a fortune teller warns him about the imminent death of his mother (Amara Ramnarong).[1]
- Kissada Kamyoung
- Apichatpong Weerasethakul
| 9 Temples to Heaven | |
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| Thai | 9 วัด สู่สวรรค์ |
| Directed by | Sompot Chidgasornpongse |
| Written by | Sompot Chidgasornpongse |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Jonathan Ricquebourg |
| Edited by |
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Production companies |
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Release date |
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Running time | 140 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | Thai |
The film had its world premiere at the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on 19 May, where it was nominated for the Caméra d'Or.[2] It was also selected as the Thai entry for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards.[3]
Cast
- Amara Ramnarong as Grandma[2]
- Surachai Ningsanond as Sakol
- Jirawut Chiwaruck as Pongpol
- Yaneenan Jiraphatjittrin as Wimol
- Klaichan Phunman as Anchalee
- Sompop Songkampol as Tor
- Poon Sirapob as Koon
- Yada Karnjanisakorn as Yam
- Nichmon Shintadapong as Prae
Production
9 Temples to Heaven was produced by Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul, to whom Chidgasornpongse had worked as assistant director in Tropical Malady (2004), Syndromes and a Century (2006), Cemetery of Splendour (2015), and Memoria (2021). It was also produced by Kick The Machine Films and At A Time (both in Thailand), with international co-production from E&W Films (Singapore), Petit Chaos (France), Needle in the Haystack (Norway), La Fonte (China), Square One Film (Hong Kong) and Qun Films (Indonesia).[4][5]
The film marks Chidgasornpongse's fictional feature directing debut, following the documentary Mon Rot Fai (2016). French cinematographer Jonathan Ricquebourg was the director of photography.[6]
Release
The film had its world premiere at the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on 19 May, where it was nominated for the Caméra d'Or.[2] In June 2026, it was selected for the 73rd Sydney Film Festival, and was featured at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival, where Chidgasornpongse was named Best Director and Songkampol won the Best Actor prize in the Asian New Talent competition.[7][8] It was also selected for the Main Slate of the 2026 New York Film Festival and the 'Meeting Point' competition of the 71st Valladolid International Film Festival.[9][10][11][12]
International sales are handled by Playtime.[4]