Apichatpong Weerasethakul – Bio, Career, Age, Achievements

INTRODUCTION

Apichatpong Weerasethakul (อภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐกุล), affectionately known as “Joe” by friends and fans, is a Thai filmmaker, film producer, visual artist, and Professor at Tama Art University in Tokyo. He is the only Thai filmmaker to win the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and is internationally recognized as one of the most important and innovative filmmakers of the 21st century.

Career

Apichatpong grew up in Khon Kaen in northeastern Thailand. He studied architecture at Khon Kaen University (B.A., 1994) before earning a Master of Fine Arts in Filmmaking from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1997). He founded his production company Kick the Machine in 1999. Working outside the Thai studio system, he has directed numerous features and short films. His major works include Blissfully Yours (2002), Tropical Malady (2004), Syndromes and a Century (2006), Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010), Cemetery of Splendour (2015), and Memoria (2021), his first English-language film set in Colombia starring Tilda Swinton.

Birthday

July 16, 1970

Age

Zodiac Sign

Cancer

Nationality

Thai

Birth Name

Apichatpong Weerasethakul (อภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐกุล)

Source of Fame

Winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival for Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

Achievements

• Palme d’Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival (Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives)
• Jury Prize at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival (Tropical Malady)
• Un Certain Regard top prize at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival (Blissfully Yours)
• First Thai film entered in competition at the Venice International Film Festival (Syndromes and a Century)
• 2016 Principal Prince Claus Award
• Artes Mundi Prize (8th edition)
• Professor at Tama Art University, Tokyo
• Founded Kick the Machine production company (1999)
• Directed Memoria (2021), his first English-language film
• Graduate of Khon Kaen University (Architecture) and School of the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA)

Physical Stats

Height: N/A
Weight: N/A
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Body Type: Slim

CLOSE WITH (ASSOCIATED)

Apichatpong is part of the Thai New Wave cinema movement alongside Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, Nonzee Nimibutr, and Wisit Sasanatieng. His film Memoria (2021) starred Tilda Swinton. He has exhibited his visual art at major galleries worldwide and is associated with the international art-house cinema community.