Written and directed by Joshua Trigg, when a bomb endangers the Pha Tang temple, Satu an orphan child decides to head north through the rich and feral landscape of Laos in search of his long lost mother with his new photojournalist friend Bo. Starring: Itthiphone Sonepho, Vanthiva Saysana, Athit Sylavong and Sonedala Sihavong.
Making a film that centres so strongly on children to be enjoyed by adult audiences is not an easy thing to do well but Satu – Year of the Rabbit is a great example. Joshua Trigg creates a perspective and atmosphere that perfectly befits the youth of Satu (Itthiphone Sonepho) and Bo (Vanthiva Saysana) which is then beautifully layered with all sorts of complex emotion. Ranging from identity, loss, abuse to self-worth and more, these two children explore a range that’s typically found in thirty-year-old characters not under fifteens.
A part of that is how Trigg injects Satu – Year of the Rabbit with a purely organic air, everything is earnest and flows so well. The aesthetic has a sun kissed quality that’s bathed in youth, it’s nostalgic and warm, creating an adventure edge to their journey. Something that only improves as time goes on because Trigg and cinematographer James Chegwyn really make the most of what Laos has to offer. Those stunning landscapes help to push the emotional nature of Satu – Year of the Rabbit even further, giving it the depth to really strike at your heart.
Of course, that impact wouldn’t be possible without the incredible performances from Itthiphone Sonepho and Vanthiva Saysana. Sonepho brings a remarkable maturity and awareness to Satu, it’s a ridiculously good portrayal which is well beyond his years. He’s on a very difficult, complicated journey and yet Sonepho gives him such a patience and compassion, while still capturing the typical affectations and grumbles of a child his age.
Saysana then provides a maternal touch, she may not be that much older than Satu, but she cares for him in a very sweet way. Though she’s old enough to also be looking out for herself, taking this adventure to escape her troubled home life. Saysana portrays a number of compelling qualities to Bo, intelligence, creativity, determination, resourcefulness, she’s a very easy character to get invested in. So, to then put them together it creates this Batman and Robin duo but instead of fighting crime they’re trying to find themselves and forge their paths, it’s very touching.
Satu – Year of the Rabbit starts off slow and gradually works its way under your skin until it’s hard not to shed a few tears by the end. Joshua Trigg’s directorial style is utterly natural and compliments the writing perfectly, while the story is moving and charismatic. Itthiphone Sonepho and Vanthiva Saysana are a genuinely impressive pair, and it was an exceptional piece of casting to find them both. It’s an emotional adventure and one very worth taking.
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