หลานม่า (How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies) (2024) by Pat Boonnitipat

By: Khoy Yi Shan, Malaysia

The title, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, is indeed a clever play on words. University dropout M volunteers to take care of his grandmother, suffering from late-stage colon cancer, in the hopes of receiving a million-dollar inheritance from her, but ends up accompanying her wholeheartedly with a million wishes of memories to make with her. The background story of this film is closely related to traditional Chinese Teochew family culture in Thailand. Its storyline is plain yet honest, hilarious yet emotional, heartbreaking yet heartwarming — calmly expressing many cruel yet unchangeable truths and deeply resonating with those who have had similar experiences. From avoiding eating beef as an exchange with Guan Yin for her son's health to passing on her only heritage to her youngest child who had stolen her money, Grandma’s behavior may seem ridiculous to some at times, but they are commonplace in many traditional families of Chinese descent.

Growing up with similar experiences, this film truly touched me a lot, reminding me of the days when my own grandmother was still alive. I highly recommend this film; it is not absolutely perfect but definitely real.

หลานม่า (2024), directed by Pat Boonnitipat.