Thailand has selected 9 Temples to Heaven, a family drama-comedy from director Sompot Chidgasornpongse, as its official candidate for the Best International Feature Film category at the upcoming Academy Awards. The announcement positions the 140-minute feature as the nation’s bid for Oscar recognition in the 2026 race.
The film, set for a domestic release on September 17, 2026, centers on a family of nine who embark on a single-day merit-making journey across nine Buddhist temples. Their mission is deeply personal: they hope the collective act of devotion will prolong the life of their aging grandmother. What begins as a solemn and structured pilgrimage, however, takes an unexpected turn, veering into territory that blends heartfelt drama with moments of levity.
Chidgasornpongse, known for his meticulous observational style, directs from a script that explores themes of faith, family obligation, and the quiet tensions that surface when people are forced into close quarters under pressure. The narrative hinges on the friction between genuine spiritual intent and the logistical chaos of herding nine relatives through a packed itinerary. The cast is led by Amara Ramnarong as the grandmother, the emotional anchor of the story. Surachai Ningsanond plays Sakol, while Jirawut Chiwaruck portrays Pongpol. The ensemble also includes Yaneenan Jiraphatjittrin as Wimol, Klaichan Phunman as Anchalee, Sompot Songkampol as Tor, Poon Sirapob as Koon, and Yada Karnjanisakorn as Yam.
The selection was announced by the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand, which oversees the country’s Oscar submissions. The committee’s choice reflects a preference for a story that is distinctly Thai in its cultural specificity - rooted in Buddhist practice and intergenerational dynamics - yet universal in its emotional pull. The film’s blend of genres is seen as a strategic strength, offering voters a narrative that is neither purely somber nor purely comedic but rather a textured examination of how families navigate love, duty, and the fear of loss.
For Chidgasornpongse, this marks a significant milestone. While he has built a reputation in the festival circuit for patient, atmospheric filmmaking, 9 Temples to Heaven represents a more accessible work, one that trades abstract contemplation for a character-driven story with a clear, propulsive premise. The director’s previous projects have often lingered on the relationship between people and their environments; here, the nine temples function as both physical destinations and symbolic stations on a journey toward acceptance.
The film’s runtime of 140 minutes is notable, allowing the narrative to breathe. Scenes are expected to unfold with a deliberate pace, giving the ensemble room to develop their individual arcs within the collective mission. The grandmother, as the focal point, carries the weight of the family’s hopes, and Ramnarong’s performance will likely be a talking point as the awards season progresses. Her character’s fragility and resilience are positioned as the film’s emotional core.
Thailand’s submission history has been uneven, with occasional shortlists but no wins to date. The country last made a significant push with Hunger in 2023, a culinary thriller that failed to advance. In recent years, the committee has oscillated between arthouse fare and more commercial titles. This year’s pick, with its dual genre appeal and strong narrative hook, suggests a calculated attempt to find a middle ground that could resonate with the Academy’s international branch.
The film’s title itself, 9 Temples to Heaven, evokes a sense of pilgrimage and ultimate reward - a framing device that carries both literal and metaphorical weight. The single-day constraint adds a ticking-clock element to the proceedings, transforming what could be a leisurely travelogue into a test of endurance for the family. As the day wears on, the initial piety gives way to fatigue, bickering, and moments of unexpected tenderness, all of which form the film’s dramatic spine.
With its release slated for September, the film will have a brief window to build momentum before the Oscars’ submission deadline and the subsequent nomination voting. The production’s team is expected to campaign selectively, focusing on festival screenings and industry events to introduce the film to international audiences. Early reactions, while not yet available, will likely hinge on whether the director’s measured approach successfully balances the comedic undertones with the heavier dramatic stakes.
As of now, 9 Temples to Heaven holds no initial critical score, with TMDb reflecting a placeholder rating of 0/10. That will change quickly once audiences and critics weigh in after the September premiere. For now, Thailand’s Oscar hopes rest on a grandmother, her nine relatives, and a very long day of devotion - one that might just lead to the kind of recognition the film’s characters are so desperately seeking.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
