MORTE CUCINA After Dark

North American Premiere

Twenty-five years after his second feature 6IXTYNIN9 (AFI FEST 2000) screened in a sidebar of New Wave gems, Thai filmmaker Pen-Ek Ratanaruang returns to AFI FEST with his latest film since 2017. MORTE CUCINA is a deliciously tense, decades-spanning tale that takes an unusual spin on the rape-revenge genre. Years after being physically assaulted by a stranger, Sao — played by the gracefully stoic Bella Boonsang — encounters her attacker at the Bangkok restaurant where she works as a waitress. The affluent and pompous Korn (Kris Srepoomseth) is smitten by Sao’s mastery of Thai cuisine yet oblivious to her true identity. Thus, she is able to discreetly lure him into her edible trap, and as their affair progresses into courtship, Sao’s career flourishes while Korn’s health mysteriously deteriorates. Over time, the bonded pair sink further into isolation, curbing Sao’s rage and suppressing the deep mental wounds of her youth until an unexpected guest rips them wide open. Re-teaming with veteran cinematographer Christopher Doyle to provide sumptuous visuals for their first collaboration since LAST LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE (2003), MORTE CUCINA is a tautly riveting, deftly constructed culinary thriller that will leave viewers mesmerized with their mouths agape. –Julia Kipnis