Mark Duffield
September 2006

Mae Nak is coming. Although for most, the name currently means nothing, those in Thailand know of the legendary sprit quite well. However, here's the surprise; in an industry currently filled with countless, unnecessary remakes of Asian horror films, The Ghost of Mae Nak is merely a retelling. There's something more though . . . .

It wasn't directed by an Asian director, but instead a director for the West.

The Ghost of Mae Nak makes the directorial debut of Mark Duffield, and we had
the opportunity to correspond via email recently to not only get more information
on this Thai spirit, but also more insight into the film itself.

Underland Online: How did you first hear about the Mae Nak legend?

Mark Duffield: I first heard about Mae Nak when I visited the Mae Nak shrine in Bangkok Thailand. I had heard about this ghost legend Mother Nak who Thai people would give offerings and ask for her blessing and guidance. The Mae Nak shrine is still there, at Wat Mahabut in the Prakanong area and hundreds of people visit it everyday.

UO: Have you seen, or did any of the previously made films serve as an influence?

MD: Yes. The first Mae Nak film I saw which was a big influence was NAG NAK directed by Nonzi Nimibut. It is the definitive period Mae Nak film that tells her story and concludes with her spirit locked in the piece of bone cut from her skull and lost in time. It was this conclusion that inspired me to develop the Mae Nak legend and write a contemporary ghost story.


UO: Did any other Asian horror films inspire you in any way?

MD: I like THE EYE; especially it’s use of Bangkok locations and the mystery of the story. I also like the Thai film THE SHUTTER, it has a good creepy atmosphere and it is a contemporary Thai ghost film.

UO: What sort of challenges did filming in Thailand present?

MD: As a British director making a horror movie in Thailand I faced many challenges. The most obvious one is the language. I don’t speak Thai even though I had written and directed a Thai based horror story. But I had my script expertly translated from English into Thai that helped the Thai cast and crew clearly understand my story. I did have translators and it was fun trying to convey what I wanted to say as a director. Bangkok film crews are highly skilled, so the film making process was no different to making a movie in the West and the language of filmmaking is universal. I guess the biggest challenge for me was directing a movie in a language that I don’t speak but finally I was congratulated by many Thai people, film industry professionals and the movie going audiences on how successful the film was.

UO: Have the Thai people been receptive to a Westerner making a movie about one of their most famous legends?

MD: I had a very good response to my script when I showed it to Thai companies. They liked the story and its original take on the Mae Nak legend. They could see that the script was reverent to Mae Nak and many were surprised to discover that a Westerner had written it. We even made an offering to Mae Nak at her actual shrine where many Thai people ask for guidance and blessing. The day before filming the entire Ghost of Mae Nak cast and crew went to the shrine to ask Mae Nak for her permission to make a film about her. I felt she gave us her blessing as the filming went very smooth and it was a joy to direct. It finally went to no 3 in the Thai boxoffice.

UO: Since some believe the tale of Mae Nak to be true, did any members of the crew take precautions against “vengeful sprits?”

MD: Yes some members of the crew would wear Buddhist amulets to protect themselves from Mae Nak. And the actress named ‘Cartoon’ Pornthip Papanai who played the Ghost Of Mae Nak and the period Mae Nak would pray to her on set to ask her for permission and blessing before we shot the scene.

UO: Was it difficult to get studio backing for the project?

MD: The script was the key to backing. I knew I had written an entertaining story and I really enjoyed writing it. So when I showed it to several production and distribution companies, the response was very good and I had a deal for production and Thai distribution in a very short time period.

UO: Were there any “unexplained” events that took place during filming?

MD: I guess the biggest “unexplained” event that took place during the filming was that it was a wonderful trouble-free shoot. Filmmaking can be a bit like walking a tightrope, and things often go wrong during it, but I felt as though Mae Nak wanted us to make this film. In the past there have been several Thai Mae Nak films that treat her as just as a revengeful ghost. But I feel GHOST OF MAE NAK shows the side of the ghost who wants to be at peace and uses ‘true love’ to help her.

UO: Which of the visual effects was the most difficult to capture on film?

MD: The film uses a mixture of physical visual effects and computer generated effects. The operating room scene where three characters are dramatically levitated in ‘bullet-time’ (Matrix style) was difficult. Getting the timing right and avoiding them hitting the furniture was tricky and dangerous. Also the ‘split’ scene took time to get right but it was worth it in the end. It’s the most talked about scene.

UO: After watching the completed version of The Ghost of Mae Nak, what particular scene or effect exceeded any expectations that you had?

MD: I was thrilled with the séance scene. I loved the elderly characters and the creepiness of the scene. It was fun watching it in Thailand with the Thai movie audience because I could sense their fear. I was also thrilled with the ‘split’ scene. It gets a great reaction and a big applause.

UO: There have been directors who have started their career in horror, but merely to get a paycheck and recognition. Will you be sticking with the genre or moving on to other types of cinema?

MD: I love horror and would want to make more. I have written several horror spec scripts and I am keen to make ‘new’ horror that will have an impact on a multiplex audience. But I am also a filmmaker and writer and I am also interested in directing strong original stories with memorable characters. But in instinct is to follow the ‘darker side’ of movies.

UO: Which horror director’s do you feel are legends in the industry?

MD: I would say ‘horror director’s’ who are legends are ones who have created a style, a language or an atmosphere that has defined horror and set a horror precedent. Ridely Scott’s ALIEN, John Carpenter’s HALLOWEEN, Tobe Hooper’s TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, Robert Wise’s THE HAUNTING, Dario Argento’s SUSPIRIA, Stanley Kubrick’s THE SHINNING. Sam Rami’s EVIL DEAD. These are just a few.

UO: Do you feel the America’s trend of remaking is having a negative effect on Asian horror?

MD: No. I feel that it actually highlights Asian horror and has introduced a good percentage of American audiences to watching new Asian horror films that they may not have discovered. In some case it can show us how superior and original Asian horror is.

UO: What are your favorite horror films?

MD: As a teenager growing up in England, my first introduction to horror films were the HAMMER HORROR FILMS. And I still have a fondness for Hammer Films and their Victorian gothic and contemporary retelling of the horror classics like DRACULA, FRANKENSTEIN as well many other horror stories and characters. THE HAUNTING by Robert Wise is a horror film and ghost story that I admire. THE CHANGELING, STIR OF ECHOES, THE SHINNING, THE EXORCIST, SUSPIRIA, are a few of my favourites but also because these are films that have inspired me as a writer and director.

UO: What do you have planned for your next film project?

MD: I have just finished writing a new horror script that is set in England. I am also developing two other horror projects. It is very exciting doing the research and imagining the story. I wish I could write as fast as I think and imagine. But obviously I am keeping my ideas under wraps at the moment - but you’ll be the first to know.

UO: Any closing words for fans of the movie and those who haven’t yet seen it?

MD: I would like to thank UNDERLAND ONLINE for showing interest in the GHOST OF MAE NAK and myself as writer and director. I would like to thank the fans of GHOST OF MAE NAK. I appreciate your support. And for those who have not seen it, then I hope you will give the GHOST a chance and allow yourself to be taken on a ghostly thrill in Bangkok Thailand and discover a true Thai legend. GHOST OF MAE NAK will be released on the Tartan USA Asian Extreme label on 10th October with director’s commentary, my 1-hour video diary and several other extras. I hope those who have seen it will want to learn more about the making, and those who have not seen it will discover a new horror legend of the GHOST OF MAE NAK.