Not Friends: To Those Who Faded Away
The Thai film ‘Not Friends’ captures the nostalgia and humor inherent in our faded friendships.
At the heart of Atta Hemwadee’s first film Not Friends (Original Title: Phuean (mai) Sanit) is an exploration of how friendships in youth are temporary and ever-changing. The film emphasizes the fluidity and impermanence of relationships during adolescence.
The coming-of-age comedy is a poignant reminder that we should cherish our friendships before a funeral becomes the last opportunity to reconvene — a call to action that we cannot afford to miss.
The story begins with Pae (played by Anthony Buisseret), a transfer student who isn’t very happy about starting at a new school mid-semester. There he meets Joe (Pisitpol Ekaphongpisit), the well-liked class favorite. Joe wants to Pae to be his 150th friend, believing in the saying that a person needs to maintain 150 friends in life. However, Pae coldly rebuffs him. The next day, a tragic car crash kills Joe, leaving the entire school in mourning.
Despite having no real connection to Joe, Pae sees Joe’s death as a perfect opportunity to enhance his college application. He therefore suggests that his classmates make a tribute film depicting Joe as the protagonist, exploiting the tragedy for his own personal gain rather than out of any sincere friendship.
In the filming process, which involves other classmates, Pae gradually develops a strong bond with Joe, in a parallel universe. Director Hemwadee deftly pivots this comedy into a poignant examination of friendship’s ephemeral nature.
The film also has funny scenes that parody old classic films, eliciting smiles. But interspersed are also sad scenes showcasing friends grown apart over time. These scenes about losing old friends strike an emotional, bittersweet chord.
This sense of loss for the once-inseparable ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ of our past echoes the sentiments in Hong Kong pop singer Eason Chan’s ‘Bad Best Friends’.
The song captures the essence of friendships that fade over inconsequential misunderstandings, passionate disputes, or the simple, silent passage of time, until they vanish from our lives.
Not Friends mirrors this melancholy tune, reminding us of the fragility and preciousness of the connections we often take for granted.
Life is very short
We’ve all had friends who were once integral to our daily lives, sharing every triumph and tribulation, but over time, even the strongest ties can dim, leaving only a longing for what was. It’s not about blame; lives diverge, and people change, drifting into separate worlds.
Not Friends aptly captures the bittersweet nature of fading friendships, nudging us to hold dear the companions of our youth. Amid life’s swift tide, it reminds us to pause and reach out, for a simple reconnection today can save us from the regret of a reunion left until it’s too late.
A relationship left untended need not be at its end simply because paths have diverged for a season. Our shared histories deserve not to be forgotten.
