| The Last Breath of Sam Yan | |
| Native Name: | ลมหายใจเฮือกสุดท้ายของสามย่าน |
| Director: | Prempapat Plittapolkranpim |
| Producer: | Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal Settanant Thanakitkoses |
| Runtime: | 75 minutes |
| Country: | Thailand |
The Last Breath of Sam Yan is a 2023 Thai documentary directed by Prempapat Plittapolkranpim and co-produced by Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal and Settanant Thanakitkoses.[1] [2] It was released on June 15, 2023. The film premiered at House Samyan theater on 13 June 2023.
The film follows a group of students who oppose the demolition of the Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine at Saphan Leuang and the new high-rise building that will take it's place as part of a Chulalongkorn University development project.[3] [4]
The documentary features interviews with various stakeholders, including academics like Sulak Sivaraksa, Wasana Wongsurawat, politicians like Chadchart Sittipunt, the governor of Bangkok along with discussions on the development plan of Chulalongkorn University's Smart City project by its President, Bundhit Eua-arporn[5] [6]
The gentrification of the Sam Yan area in Pathum Wan District is a major theme of the documentary.[7] [8] [9]
Max Crosbie-Jones, reviewing for Nikkei Asia, praised the film for depicting the students' dedication to preserving the shrine's cultural significance and their proactive stance towards reshaping the approach of a respected university. Crosbie-Jones also highlighted the film's exploration of the adverse effects of cultural heritage reclamation and demolition, emphasizing the need for responsible preservation.[10]
The documentaries' portrayal of the struggle against gentrification and the erasure of cultural heritage has been favorably received within academic circles, underscoring its role in increasing awareness about these significant challenges in urban development.
The Last Breath of Sam Yan premiered at House Samyan on June 13, 2023, followed by commercial screenings at the same venue and at the Doc Club and Pub starting June 15, 2023. The documentary was further showcased in special screenings at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand on June 29, 2023, and also reached audiences in the Thai provinces of Songkhla, Chiang Mai, and Nakhon Ratchasima.
The film was also selected for participation in several film festivals abroad, including the Student World Impact Film Festival 2023 in the United States, the Jagran Film Festival 2023 in India, and the Lane Doc Fest 2023 in Jackson, Tennessee, USA.
The Last Breath of Sam Yan was added to the streaming platform Netflix[11] on February 9, 2024, thereby making it available to a global audience.