Thailand Enters Cannes-Backed Road Movie in Oscar Race

Thailand's Oscar selection committee has chosen Sompot Chidgasornpongse's debut narrative feature, '9 Temples to Heaven,' as its entry for the best international feature category at the 99th Academy Awards. The film, produced by Palme d'Or winner Apichatpong Weerasethakul, premiered in Cannes' Directors' Fortnight and follows a businessman's family pilgrimage to nine Buddhist temples. It has already earned awards at festivals in Shanghai and New Zealand and will have its North American premiere at the New York Film Festival.